Unlicensed dog boarding kennels are being urged to come forward during an amnesty.
AdvertisementPreston City Council says it is aware of an increasing number of unlicensed dog boarding establishments running in the city, estimated to be between 10 to 15 premises.
Cabinet member for planning and regulation councillor John Swindells said: “All dog owners have the right to expect that boarding premises where they leave their beloved pets satisfy basic standards relating to their health, welfare and safety and that the licensee is a fit and proper person to hold such a licence.
“By using licensed establishments dog owners can be confident that the premises comply with strict licensing conditions and the proprietors strive to guarantee the highest standards of animal care.
Any unlicensed dog boarders can come forward to the city council before the end of September, and will not face prosecution.
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Anyone who boards someone else’s dog and receives payment for doing so must be licensed.
his means that anyone operating as hosts for well-known home boarding organisations, such as Barking Mad, Digs for Dogs, and UK Holidogs are likely to need licensing.
Other premises that might need licensing include businesses that ordinarily work with dogs such as dog walkers or dog groomers, who build a rapport with their clients and then look after their clients dogs when they go on holiday etc.
There are currently nine licensed dog boarding establishments, four of which are home boarders.
A licence must be renewed each year and it costs £167 per year.
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Unlicensed premises can often be badly run, with poor conditions, little control over the dogs that are kept there, and without any insurance cover.
The Animal Welfare team can be contacted online or call 01772 906907.