How much does an animal boarding licence cost?

There is no single national price. Your local council sets the fee, and it varies a lot between councils and activities. This guide explains how the fees are structured, what ranges to expect, the costs people forget, and how meeting the higher standards lowers your long-run cost.

Why there is no fixed price

Councils set their own animal licensing fees to cover their costs, so the same activity can cost very different amounts depending on where you are. The only way to get your exact figure is to check your own council’s fees page.

How the fee is usually split

Most councils break the cost into parts:

• An application fee (sometimes called Part A) paid when you apply, covering processing and the inspection.
• A grant fee (sometimes Part B) paid when the licence is issued, covering ongoing administration and enforcement.
• In many areas a separate veterinary inspection fee, especially for kennels and catteries.

Rough ranges to expect

From council fee schedules, application fees commonly run from around £250 to over £500, with a further grant fee on success, and vet fees on top where they apply. Home boarding and day care tend to sit at the lower end; kennels and catteries at the higher end. Treat these as a guide only and confirm with your council.

The costs people forget

Beyond the council fee, budget for public liability insurance, any premises improvements the conditions require, and your own time preparing the documents. A consultant to write your paperwork can cost hundreds; the council’s own pre-application advice is typically chargeable too and gives advice, not finished documents.

How to keep the total down

Meeting the higher standards earns a longer licence (two or three years instead of one), so you pay the council fee and face an inspection less often. A complete, well-evidenced document pack is the cheapest way to put yourself in the best position. PetApproved produces that pack for a one-off price, far below a consultant, with the documents that evidence the higher standards.