ANIMAL BOARDING ESTABLISHMENTS ACT 1963

HOME BOARDING (DOGS) – DRAFT STANDARDS

INTRODUCTION

Home boarding is the practice whereby dogs are cared for in a carer’s home, for financial gain.

The CIEH Model Licence Conditions and Guidance for Dog Boarding Establishments states (Page 18).

Those operating such services are subject to the requirements of the Animal Boarding Establishments Act 1963.  It should be stressed however that at present this is a very small part of the boarding market and the application of some of the conditions contained within this document may be inappropriate to enforce.

The Working Party recommends that local authorities license such premises and apply appropriate and relevant conditions to ensure the prevention of spread of disease between animals and to ensure the health, safety and welfare of the individual animal being boarded.

The CIEH document stated that detailed advice would be provided at a later stage, but 6 years later no progress appears to have been made.

The issue of home boarding was discussed at the Lancashire Animal Welfare Forum.  Several local authorities were aware of home boarding within their districts, and that the practice appears to be expanding rapidly.

In order to achieve consistency of enforcement between local authorities, the Lancashire Animal Welfare Forum agreed to produce a set of standards for home boarding.  These standards will be submitted to Lancashire Chief Officers for approval, after which they may be adopted by individual local authorities as required.

A great deal of interest in the proposed standards has been expressed by other local authorities throughout the country who have been helpful in sharing their experiences, as well as prospective home boarders, a number of whom are hoping to set up franchises in the North West.

THE DRAFT STANDARDS

1. GENERAL

• 1.1              A copy of the licence and its conditions must be suitably displayed in a prominent position in, on or about the Premises.

• 1.2              The licence must specify the boundary of the Premises i.e. all buildings and areas to which boarded dogs have access.

• 1.3              No animals other than boarded dogs must be permitted in the Premises.

• 1.4              Only dogs from one household must be boarded at any one time, up to a maximum number stipulated on the licence, depending on the facilities available at the individual Premises.

• 1.5              Nuisance must not be caused to neighbours.

• 1.6              No children under 16 years must reside on the Premises.

• 1.7              The local authority must be satisfied that the licensee is not disqualified from keeping animals, under any relevant legislation.
  

2. EXERCISE FACILITIES

• 2.1              There must be direct access to a suitable outside area.  This outside area must be at ground floor level and should be for the exclusive use of the Premises.

• 2.2              Dogs must be exercised according to their needs.

• 2.3       Dogs must not be left outdoors in inclement weather

3.MAINTENANCE

•  3.1        The Premises must be maintained in good repair.

 4. SECURITY

•   4.1 The Premises must be adequately secure to prevent the escape of dogs. In particular, the boundary of the outside area must be at least 1.8m high and must be secure and safe,including any openings such as gates.

• 4.2 Dogs must wear temporary identification at all times bearing the address of the Premises.

• 4.3  Dogs must be properly secured at all times whilst off the Premises, and not exercised except on a lead.

• 4.4   Dogs must never be left unattended off the Premises.

5.  BEDDING

• 5.1 Suitable bedding equipment must be provided which allows the dog to be comfortable and which is capable of being easily and adequately cleaned and sanitized.  Such equipment must be sited out of draughts.  All bedding must be maintained in a clean, parasite free and dry condition.

6. CLEANLINESS

• 6.1 The Premises must be kept clean and free from accumulations of dirt and dust.  Phenol based disinfectants must not be used.

• 6.2  All excreta must be removed from all areas used by dogs at least daily and more often if necessary.

• 6.3  All waste must be properly stored and disposed of.

• 6.4  Measures must be taken to minimise the risks from rodents, insects and other pests within the Premises.

7.                  FOOD AND WATER SUPPLIES

• 7.1 Dogs must be adequately supplied with suitable food.  Wholesome water must be available at all times and changed daily.

• 7.2  Eating and drinking vessels must be capable of being easily cleansed and disinfected.

• 7.3  Eating vessels must be cleansed after each meal.

• 7.4   Drinking vessels must be cleansed at least once a day.

• 7.5  Hot and cold water must be provided for the washing of food equipment and eating and drinking vessels.

• 7.6  Adequate arrangements must be made for the storage and preparation of food.

8. DISEASE CONTROL AND VACCINATION

• 8.1 Proof must be provided that dogs boarded have current vaccinations against Canine Distemper, Infectious Canine Hepatitis (Canine adenovirus), Leptospirosis (L. canicola and L. Icterohaemorrhagiae) and Canine Parvovirus and other relevant diseases.  The course of vaccination must have been completed at least four weeks before the first date of boarding or in accordance with manufacturers instructions.  A record that this proof has been supplied must be kept on-site throughout the period that the dog is boarded.

• 8.2   Advice from a veterinary surgeon must be sought in case of signs of disease, injury or illness.  Where a dog is sick or injured any instructions for its treatment, which have been given by a veterinary surgeon, must be strictly followed.

• 8.3  A well stocked first aid kit suitable for use on dogs must be available and accessible on site.

• A suitable range of muzzles of varying sizes must be kept on site.
  

• 8.4If there is evidence of external parasites the dog must be treated with a proprietary insecticide.

• 8.5  If there is evidence of internal parasites the advice of a veterinary surgeon must be sought.

• 8.6 Any boarded dog that has died on the Premises must be referred to a veterinary surgeon and the licensing officer of the local authority must be informed.

• 8.7   A veterinary practice must be appointed for the establishment.  The name, address and telephone number must be displayed in a prominent position.  The 24 hour telephone contact number of the veterinary surgeon used by the Premises should be displayed in a suitable place, close to the telephone.

9. ISOLATION

• 9.1 Isolation facilities must be provided to the satisfaction of the local authority.

10.  REGISTER

• 10.1  A register must be kept of all dogs boarded.  The information kept must include the following:-

1.  Date of arrival.

2.  Name of dog, any identification system such as   Microchip number or tattoo.

3.  Description, breed, age and gender of dog.

4.  Name, address and telephone number of owner or keeper.

5.  Name, address and telephone number of contact person whilst boarded.

6.  Name and address and telephone number of dog’s veterinary surgeon.

7.  Anticipated and actual date of departure
   

8. Health, welfare and nutrition requirements.

• 10.2  The register must be kept readily available for a minimum of 24 months and kept in such a manner as to allow an authorised officer easy access to such information.  Where records are computerised, a back up copy must be kept.

11. SUPERVISION

• 11.1 A fit and proper person must normally be present to exercise supervision and deal with emergencies whenever dogs are boarded at the Premises.

• 11.2  Dogs must not be left unattended on the Premises for periods longer than 3 hours.

•  12.1  All electrical installations and appliances must be maintained in a safe condition.  There must be a residual current circuit breaker system fitted.

• 12.2  Heating appliances must not be sited in a location or manner where they may present a risk of fire, or risk to dogs.  Dogs must not have direct access to open flame heating devices.

• 12.3  Smoke alarms must be fitted as appropriate

• 12.4  An all purpose fire extinguisher must be  provided

• 12.5  The licensee must supply the local authority with details of a keyholder(s) for the Premises in case of emergency.