Share your views about Dog Home Boarding Establishments

This follows on from a report submitted to the Licensing Committee in July 2016, the committee members have since requested that a consultation be held with interested parties prior to proceeding further with the recommendation to licence such establishments.

There is currently no nationally set licence conditions for Home Boarding Dog Establishments and therefore conditions need to be set locally.

Councillor John Lumley and Vice Chair of the Licensing Committee said: “We need the standards to be useable and effective, so that we create realistic license conditions and guidance that can support those running Dog Home Boarding Establishments as well as consider the needs of members of the public in close proximity to those establishments.”

The proposed standard conditions include the following: no home where there are children under five years of age will be licensed, there must be direct access to suitable outside areas, all establishments must be registered with a veterinary practice, the maximum number of dogs kept at any one time must not exceed six dogs.

The standards aim to protect the welfare of animals and reduce the risks of disease spread, as well as protecting children from harm and with a view to limiting noise nuisance. The proposed Home Boarding Licence Conditions may be viewed in full at http://www.ceredigion.gov.uk/SiteCollectionDocuments/Your%20Council/Consultations/dogs/Dog%20Home%20Boarder.pdf

A six week public consultation will now take place to seek views on the proposed standards, the consultation will close on Friday 16 September 2016 and a report will be presented to the Licensing Committee on Wednesday 19 October 2016. If adopted, the new conditions would come into force with immediate effect.

To take part in the consultation please email your comments to licensing@ceredigion.gov.uk before Friday 16 September 2016 with the subject title “Animal Boarding Consultation.”

When commenting, you might find the below helpful:

• Let us know if you approve or disprove of the conditions
• Outline your reasoning behind any concerns and reference specific condition/s
• Provide us with, or direct us to, additional reference material that will help us
• Suggest conditions outlining your considerations and reasons why
• Forward this webpage to others who may be interested

Individual consultations will be sent to those premises that have expressed an interest in becoming licensed establishments, veterinary surgeon practices within the County, local and national animal charities with a local interest and the Welsh Government.

For more information please visit the website http://www.ceredigion.gov.uk/English/Your-Council/Consultations/Pages/dogs.aspx