Key Animal Welfare Regulations & Standards

DEFRA (Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs) oversees all statutory licensing and welfare standards for kennels and catteries in England. The most applicable legislation is:

• The Animal Welfare Act 2006

• The Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) Regulations 2018

These outline the five welfare needs (including suitable environment and protection from discomfort or disease) and establish licensing inspection criteria. All commercial boarding, rehoming, or charity-based facilities must meet these requirements.

Kennelbuild designs to exceed DEFRA standards as standard.

To achieve a 5-star rating under the DEFRA-licensed boarding kennel scheme (introduced in 2018), facilities must meet not just the minimum legal standards—but also enhanced criteria for layout, operations, hygiene, and animal welfare.

Kennelbuild specialises in designing and delivering facilities that exceed DEFRA's higher standards, helping commercial operators secure the top rating on inspection—an important benchmark for customer confidence and business reputation.

Key features of a 5★ facility include:

• Individual temperature control for each kennel

• Daily enrichment plans and stress-minimising layouts

• Secure indoor and outdoor access with controlled socialisation

• Durable, cleanable surfaces for infection control and hygiene

• Robust operational flow to reduce cross-contamination and improve staff efficiency

Our designs take into account the DEFRA scoring matrix, ensuring your layout, materials, and management systems all align with top-tier inspection outcomes—supporting both your licence and your commercial success.