Dog Day Care Licence
Applicants considering opening a Dog Day Care establishment are encouraged to contact the Trading Standards team for more information.
Anyone who operates a premises providing accommodation for animals needs to apply for a licence under the Animal Boarding Establishment Act 1963.This legislation applies to premises whereby dogs are boarding during the daytime where the premises is not otherwise licenced by the local authority as a kennels or home boarding establishment. This includes dog sitting in your own home during the day.
Applying for a Dog Day Care Licence
Applicants are advised to read West Lothian Council's Licence Conditions and Guidance on Dog Day Care Licence [266KB] before proceeding with their application.
Anyone wishing to apply must:
- complete a Dog Day Care licence application form [69KB] :
- return it via email or to the address on the application form; and
- pay the appropriate fee [107KB] online at 'Pay for it'
Upon application for a licence, which has not previously been granted, the premises must be inspected by a veterinary surgeon and a local authority officer. For subsequent applications the local authority has discretion as to whether the inspection is carried out by a veterinary surgeon or a local authority officer or both. A report following inspection shall be considered by the local authority before determining whether or not to grant a licence.
A separate invoice will be issued to cover the vet's costs once the inspection has taken place. On receipt of this being paid and the licence conditions being met your new licence will be sent out.
Once issued, licences will run until the 31st December of that year. Licence's run from 1st January - 31st December of any one year.
Licence renewal applications should be submitted as soon as possible after receiving a renewal reminder.
Eligibility Criteria
An applicant must not be disqualified from any of the following at the time of the application:
- Keeping an animal boarding establishment
- Keeping a pet shop under the Pet Animals Act 1951
- Keeping animals under the Protection of Animals (Amendment) Act 1954
- Owning, keeping, being involved in the keeping or being entitled to control or influence the keeping of animals, dealing in animals or transporting or being involved in the transportation of animals under the Animal Welfare Act 2006
Waste Management at Animal Welfare Licensed Premises
Please see Expected standards for waste management at licensed animal welfare premises.
