Boarding of cats

Do I need a licence?

You will need a licence if you are:

• A business which provides accommodation for other people's cats, where the provision of that accommodation is part or solely the activity of the business.
• A business that arranges accommodation for other people's cats e.g. businesses which connect pet owners with people willing to look after their animals for no fee (just minor expenses). The accommodation provided in these circumstances must meet the conditions set by the legislation and it is the responsibility of the business to ensure that this is the case - see further guidance below. The business must provide (and keep updated) a list of their associated premises.
• A business which provide overnight accommodation for cats in purpose-built cattery units.
• Providing home boarding for cats, where the cats are kept in purpose-built cattery units and not in the domestic home.

When do I not need a licence?

You will not need a licence if you are:

• A business providing accommodation for other people's cats, but where the provision of that accommodation is not the purpose of that business, for example, veterinary practices where the accommodation provided is part of the treatment of the animal.
• A business that looks after a cat within its normal place of residence (i.e. cat sitters).

Providing home boarding of cats within a domestic setting is not permitted.

How to apply

To board cats for other people in a cattery, you will require an animal activities licence. You can read the government guidelines on conditions for cat boarding.

If you wish to apply for a cat boarding licence, you can download the application form below and either email it to environmentalhealth@sthelens.gov.uk or post it to St Helens Borough Council, Regulatory Services, PO Box 512, St Helens, WA10 6JX.

The fee for a cat boarding licence is £399.90 (+ vets fees if necessary).