Boarding kennels and catteries

Under the Domestic (Feral and Nuisance) Animals Act 1994 (Vic) the term 'domestic animal business ' is defined to include commercial boarding establishment for cats or dogs. It is an offence, carrying a fine of 10 penalty units, to operate a domestic animal business, including a boarding establishment, on premises that are not registered for that purpose with the relevant local council. It is also an offence with the same fine for a person to operate a domestic animal business, including a boarding establishment, without complying with the Code of Practice for the Operation of Boarding Establishments and with any other condition on the licence.

The Code sets minimum standards for:

condition of animal immediately prior to entering establishment
staffing, including functions of manager, veterinarian and animal attendants
husbandry, including nutrition, vaccination, health care, hygiene, exercise, security, housing and pen sizes
records, including details relating to the animal being boarded.

Also, all boarding establishments must carry a minimum public liability insurance coverage of $10 million.

All animals entering boarding establishments must be identified. Unless there are exceptional circumstances, dogs less than four months old and cats less than three months old must not be admitted for boarding. All reasonable special requirements requested by the animal 's owner or attending veterinary surgeon must be met by the boarding establishment (for example,. administration of medication, feeding of special diets, bathing and grooming). Diseased animals must not be admitted for boarding.

Dogs must be vaccinated against distemper, hepatitis and parvovirus. A current vaccination certificate must be produced for each dog on admission, showing that vaccination was done within the preceding 12 months and that the due date for the next vaccination has not been passed. Vaccination against canine cough and a heartworm check is also recommended for dogs.

Cats are required to be vaccinated against feline infectious enteritis and feline respiratory disease before being admitted. Current vaccination certificates must be produced for all cats before admission. Dogs and cats must be treated for gastrointestinal worms before admission. Animals that have not been wormed will be wormed on admission at the owner 's cost.

In order to protect your pet from feeling threatened or being attacked, the following rules exist regarding their accommodation:

all adult dogs must be housed one to a pen unless the owner(s) has given permission in writing for dogs to be housed together and under no circumstances can more than two dogs be housed in the one pen
cats must also be housed one to a pen except that two compatible cats from the same household can be housed together if the owner signs an agreement giving permission.

Part 5 of the Domestic (Feral and Nuisance) Animals Act 1994 (Vic.) 'Boarding of Dogs and Cats ', must be prominently displayed in the reception area of the boarding establishment so that it can be read by prospective clients. This information outlines the responsibilities of the business proprietor for your animal and provides for liens over the animals where fees are not paid.

Emerging new businesses are now identified in the revised Code relating to day boarding and home boarding establishments. Interested people should contact their local council for advice on the implications of the Code for these businesses.

If you wish to transfer your licensed animal business you must notify the council at least 30 days before transfer and pay a transfer fee.

A copy of the Code of Practice for the Operation of Boarding Establishments can be downloaded from the Victorian DPI website at http://www.dpi.vic.gov.au