Depending on the size of your premises and the proposed number of animals, you may need planning permission. You can find out more on our planning pages.
Before making an application you should read through the guidance notes below from DEFRA (the Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs). The guidance notes provide general and specific licence conditions, and information on how to meet each required standard.
If you're an arranger acting on behalf of home boarders, there's a separate application process. For more details, email licensing@stockport.gov.uk.
Guidance notes
Animal boarding falls into 4 separate categories:
- Guidance notes for boarding dogs in kennels 2018 (PDF, 320Kb)
- Guidance notes for home boarding dogs 2018 (PDF, 460Kb)
- Guidance notes for home boarding cats 2018 (PDF, 940KB)
- Guidance notes for providing day care for dogs (PDF, 325KB)
How to apply
To apply for a licence, you must:
- read the appropriate guidance notes above
- read the conditions for boarding cats and dogs (PDF, 153KB)
- download and complete the form below
PDF, 128 KB
This file may not be suitable for users of assistive technology.
There's an application fee which you must be pay when you make your application. You can find full details on our animal licence fees page.
How to submit your application and pay
You can submit your application via email to licensing@stockport.gov.uk.
You'll be sent a link to pay the fee online along with confirmation of receipt of the application.
The inspection
Before we grant a licence, we’ll carry out an inspection at your premises to make sure you meet the current requirements. Officers may be accompanied by a vet.
Where the inspection does not meet the current requirements, you’ll be issued with a compliance notice and a revisit will be carried out.
Where the visit does meet the requirements, we’ll determine the application and usually issue a licence with a star rating of up to 5 stars and 3 years in length.