Association of Licensed Kennels & Catteries

19/03/2023

I’ve not seen the programme but this is the company that has recently been posted here for new kennel builds.

Anyone who would like to view their most recent build near Derby / Nottingham can contact ALIKC Chairman Andy via the ALIKC messenger or email [email protected] to arrange a visit.

NOTE ALIKC is not connected to the Easy Animal, but may receive a small commission for any work committed through us, to support the work we do.

UK's leading manufacturer of thermal kennels and catteries. We manufacture all these in our own unit

19/02/2023

Are you looking to replace or build new kennels??

Easy Animal can offer a personalised service nationally.

Website

https://www.easyanimal.co.uk/

Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/easyanimal2

Please quote ALIKC0223B with your enquiry.

18/10/2022

Dear all,

CFSG & DEFRA has sent us the below today which is part of a 3-month review of the Energy Bill Relief Scheme (EBRS) Defra are collecting information from businesses eligible for the scheme.
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/energy-bill-relief-scheme-help-for-businesses-and-other-non-domestic-customers

This is an important opportunity to ensure that vulnerable Defra sectors are identified should the government continue support, and also to understand how best to support those sectors. It is somewhat, frustratingly & typically, a short turn around to respond by next week.

What you need to do:

Please fill in the business survey. The survey will close at 23.55hrs on Monday 24th October. The survey is voluntary, and each business only needs to complete the survey once. The link to complete the questionnaire is: https://beis.fra1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_cTob3uhBoMiwgOW

In addition, as an association we can provide a more detailed analysis if we can get a number of businesses to complete a more complex profit and loss template. You should provide cost and revenue data for both September 2022 and an estimate for March 2023, as indicated in the P&L template. If you are willing to do this please send an email to [email protected] and we will send the Excel template which should be completed and returned before Sunday 23rd October to allow us to compile a consolidated response. All data received will be treated in the strictest confidence and not attributed to any business - please send completed templates to [email protected]

If we can work out how to add the template here we will do so ?!

03/10/2022

UPDATE (28/10) - the deadline for submission of the survey has been extended to 11.45pm Friday 11th November ……… please do send a response as this will really help drive changes in the 2023 review.

We have been sent this and would encourage you all to complete the survey.

Not essential but please reference ALIKC in the box that asks for your kennel or cattery name to help us continue to raise the profile.

You do not need to be a member of any association to complete the form !

………………..

As you may be aware, Defra is currently undertaking a review of the Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (England) Regulations 2018 (LAIA regulations).

We are keen to ensure that the views of our stakeholders are considered in this process. We are inviting you to provide views on the regulations by filling in any of the below surveys that are relevant to you. If you are an industry representative, we would be grateful if you could share the surveys with your members/network. If you are a local authority, we would be grateful if you could share the surveys with LAIA licensed businesses within your network. We would be grateful if you could refrain from posting these surveys on social media.

Please note that filling in a survey is voluntary, and you are under no obligation to respond. You may also fill in more than one survey if relevant to you. The surveys will be open for four weeks, closing at 11:45pm on Monday 31st October. Each survey will take approximately 40 to 60 minutes, depending on the detail of your response.

The LAIA regulations came into force in 2018. We are currently undertaking a post-implementation review to assess the effectiveness of the regulations. We will be gathering evidence from various sources and the views of stakeholders to help us assess whether the regulations have met their objectives, identify opportunities for reducing burdens on business and propose refinements if required.

Could respondents please review the attached Privacy Notice before proceeding with the survey. By proceeding with the below survey, you are consenting to participate in this social research, as it is described in the Privacy Notice.

Please find the specific survey below:

Schedule 4- specific conditions for providing boarding for cats or dogs:

https://defragroup.eu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_899TBGb5an09tAO?fbclid=IwAR1h0Mty-hll5J6C7OZFnwvruRg7G5fSrj_HGxICN2Tv_3dKWGWxJO6URvw

We are currently undertaking a review of the Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (England) Regulations 2018 (LAIA regulations).

09/09/2022

*** SCAM WARNING ***

Don’t waste your time even replying to this person - wanted 4 weeks stay so not unusual and requested pricing etc to then send an email asking to pay shipper on receipt of money from her.

This one has done the rounds before - so just don’t bother 😤

26/08/2022

11/08/2022

Due to the high demand of kennels through August the committee have had to take the decision to focus on our own businesses until early September.

This does mean we will not be posting here for a while unless we come across any urgent issues.

We have written to the RSPCA in regard to a recent article & await their response. We are also waiting to hear from the CFSG on the next legislation review expected later this year.

We will review the membership applications in September too.

We hope everyone is busy and keeping safe in the weather extremes some are seeing.

Take care
Andy for ALIKC

12/07/2022

My view right now as we’ve just finished locking the dogs in for the night and continued efforts to keep them cool.

I hope everyone is keeping well and busy - we are certainly overwhelmed with last minute requests as mentioned on here before.

The reason for this post is to say we are sorry we’ve been too quiet for awhile but to let you know we are still working in the background in what little spare time we (the committee) have at the moment.

Being frank & open with everyone - this will be the case until September (unless something drastic happens in our business sector).

We need your input though and more help either on the committee or as helpers - again we’ve posted before but received little response.

All of the membership requests received so far are overdue a response - so apologies. But we still hope to get more over the next few months once our summer season nears an end.

So for now, take care and we’ll catch up again soon.

ALIKC Committee

09/05/2022

It's taken a lot longer than we hoped but our new website has finally been launched.
You can find it at www.alikc.org
We will continue to develop the site and add more information, offers and updates. Let us know what you want to see - either by messaging here or via our new email address [email protected]
In order for us to provide an effective level of support and to cover admin costs we need to incorporate a small annual membership fee starting 1 June 2022 - there is an application form & details on the website. Membership will run from 1 June to 31 May each year - members joining part way through a year will be charged a pro-rata rate to 31 May.
I think it is important to note that ALIKC is operated as a not-for-profit organisation and we do have plans to convert to a CIC (Community Investment Company) or similar to ensure all profits are reinvested in the company and will never be given as dividends to Directors.
The committee look forward to welcoming and supporting you all as members of ALiKC through 2022 and beyond.
Thankyou
Andy
(Chairman ALiKC)

22/03/2022

Please see the link below for an online questionnaire regarding microchipping of dogs & cats.

Please review and respond to the online survey to help make changes to the current regulations….

https://consult.defra.gov.uk/companion-animal-welfare-and-sentience/consultation-on-cat-and-dog-microchipping-leg/

15/02/2022

The next (hopefully final) round of grants are now available to apply for on your local council website.

Pet boarding has been explicitly included this time.

It is your responsibility to apply - don’t expect the council to contact you !

There will be an application form and you will probably need to demonstrate your monthly outgoings and a reduction in earnings due to the Omicron variant impact with various documents.

So get on the internet and apply today as there is only a short application window.

Good luck everyone.

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/businesses-urged-to-apply-for-850-million-still-available-in-covid-19-support-grants

Businesses across the country are being encouraged to apply for remaining grant funding to help them through the pandemic.

14/02/2022

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/animal-activities-licensing-guidance-for-local-authorities -publication-update-history

The above link is to the updated statutory guidance documents on the gov.uk site which corrects some of the issues seen in the CFSG documents.

We would recommend you review these documents for your specific activity.

02/02/2022

We have received a (mostly) positive response from the CFSG.

They have provided feedback to DEFRA on the points we raised.

They have confirmed that all inspections carried out from 1st February will follow the revised Statutory Guidance - your LO should be aware of the changes. (But we know not all them are aware?!)

They confirmed there will be further consultation later in 2022 and early 2023 on the required changes to the 2018 Regulations and ALIKC will be invited to support the consultation representing Licensed Kennels & Catteries.

We have been given an email address for the CFSG Chairman and will be writing to him directly on these matters too to reinforce our & our member concerns.

As is often the case, such discussions & reviews can be take time to get responses so please bear with us as we continue to engage to represent our members.

21/01/2022

A good news story to end the week ….

Newhaven RNLI were requested to launch by HM Coastguard at 11:43am on Wednesday 19 January to help with the rescue of a dog who had gone over the cliff edge at Seaford.

21/01/2022

Sickness bug

Please be aware - we have seen local cases in Derbyshire.

https://www.derbytelegraph.co.uk/news/sickness-bug-causing-serious-problems-6517440

13/01/2022

Following the release of the new guidance for licensing activities ALIKC have formally responded to the CFSG with concerns on the contents of the updates and implementation timeframes. We will provide an update once we receive their reply.

We have formally requested our engagement in the 5 year review too as an Associate member of the CFSG and to represent members views & concerns.

We hope everyone had a good Christmas and that 2022 will be a good year.

04/01/2022

UPDATE FROM CFSG ……

You will probably know that Defra have been undertaking a light touch review of the Licensing of Animal Activities Guidance notes which has mainly focused on changing the format to meet the requirements of the .gov site.

The review is now complete and the documents can be seen on the CFSG website. We have asked for a Changelog document to be produced to help identify the changes and we will keep you updated on this.

The updates come into force from February 2022. The wider 5 year review of the Regulations will start later this year and will provide a good opportunity to really tackle any issues within the legislation.
https://www.cfsg.org.uk/legislation-and-guidance/

————————

Note this is hot off the press and you may need to dig into each document to see key changes until the change log is issued. The ALIKC committee will review in the meantime.

Legislation and Guidance This page sets out the legislation relating to cats and dogs in England. Most recently Government introduced a significant change with the Animal Activity Licensing Regulations 2018 and below you will find the Guidance documents to assist businesses in meeting the new requir...

22/12/2021

16/12/2021

Posted on our members only group but worth sharing to everyone…..

14/12/2021

Looking at the on line kennels management software.

Has anyone had experience of PetManager?

What are the pros & cons?

17/11/2021

We’ve had an influx of new member requests which is fantastic - please bear with us as we work through the requests.

Thank you

01/11/2021

It should be noted that the ALIKC Committee is made up of volunteers who, like you, are heavily involved in running their own Kennels and Catteries in addition to the workload and pressure we have all been under we are working hard to re-establish a new website which we hope will provide our members with additional benefits, help and support.

Now is your opportunity to let us know what you would like to see on our new website - please comment below.

26/10/2021

Government backs Animals (Penalty Notices) Bill to crackdown on animal offenders

30/09/2021

As an Associate Member of the Canine Feline Sector Group (CFSG) - the advisory body to DEFRA for Animal Welfare - we were invited to present views on issues raised by Licenced Kennels & Catteries.

ALIKC Chairman, Andy, attended the AGM and presented the points summarised in the attached document. The points raised were well received at the meeting and recognition of our support to members was given.

The CFSG have a series of workstreams they are working on including a review of the 2018 regulations, unlicenced facilities, microchipping and home boarding franchises to name a few. Many of the points we covered were recognised as great input to support these workstreams.

ALIKC were the only group at the AGM representing Licenced Kennels & Catteries and we are in the process of engaging with the Home Boarders Association and hopefully other representatives in the CFSG to provide a joined up approach in helping make some of the needed changes to the key workstreams above.

We were hoping that the CFSG would have issued a formal update before now, however with the appointment of a new Chairman we suspect they are finalising a few things before they do so.

We would like to thank our members for their ongoing support and hope we can continue to represent your views and support positive changes to the legislation.

Thankyou.

24/09/2021

A useful piece in response to recent media scaremongering……

At Trevor Cooper's Doglaw Seminars the law on collar & tag usually creates a bit of a stir! And now we see that it has also become a bit of a news item as well, so it's great that the dog owning public is discovering that this identification requirement is still the law. It is from the Control of Dogs Order 1992 which requires that when a dog is on a highway or a place of public resort it shall wear a collar with the name and address of the owner inscribed on it or on a plate or badge attached to it.

Prosecutions are very rare, but we take the view that it is about the benefit of compliance rather than the detriment of enforcement. Complying means that you are increasing your chances of a lost dog being reunited with its owner.

We take the view that a harness is a form of a collar. There has never been a prosecution that we are aware of when someone has used a harness rather than a collar.

There are a few exemptions which apply (which include when a dog is being used for agility or for the driving/tending of cattle or sheep). Even if you have a long address or a long name there really is no excuse for failing to comply. We appreciate that some dog owners are reluctant to have their address displayed - all we can suggest is that if you don't like this particular requirement you should speak to your MP as it is Parliament that has the power to amend the law.

07/09/2021

We've just been sent a link to this for Scotland Animal Welfare Regulations.......

https://shoutout.wix.com/so/9aNkt7weo/c?w=YO5z0IMt4uxAwSExaiuNk9CFlI7dRXV2A6I2BFGTE38.eyJ1IjoiaHR0cHM6Ly9kcml2ZS5nb29nbGUuY29tL2ZpbGUvZC8xaEswNVBQOXY2a0hNbVB6Wm5xcU45czlDN29FbE5DSjYvdmlldz91c3A9ZHJpdmVzZGsiLCJyIjoiYjc4YmRiZjQtZWI1Zi00ZGNhLTNlMmUtNTcyMmI2OTE5YzAyIiwibSI6Im1haWwiLCJjIjoiOTZjM2Y2MzYtNGZkZC00NjE0LTgwZDUtMzBhYmNjMzRiMjRmIn0

10/08/2021

The Department of Work and Pensions is hosting a free to attend Kickstart webinar on 16th August 2021 2-3pm focusing on the Animal Care Sector and we have been asked to distribute an invite to our members.

Below is some basic information – it does include a link to Eventbrite for you to register and attend for free.

“The Kickstart Scheme provides funding to create new 6-month jobs for 16 to 24 year olds on Universal Credit who are at risk of long term unemployment. Thousands of employers across the private, public and not-for-profit sectors have already applied for funding, which covers:

• 100% of the National Minimum Wage or the National Living Wage for 25 hours per week for a total of 6 months
• associated employer National Insurance contributions
• minimum automatic enrolment pension contributions
• a grant of £1,500 per job to cover setup costs and employability support.

Why should you apply for Kickstart?
• You will have a young person working for you for six months, fully funded by the Government.
• Your business will be set to benefit, flourish and grow by taking on these young people full of energy, new ideas and digital know-how.
• You will be able to give a young person who has been unemployed for a while a potentially life changing opportunity.
• You will feel you are playing your part in helping with the wider post-pandemic economic recovery.

You can apply directly online or through a Kickstart gateway, which will act as an intermediary and apply for funding on your behalf.

The Department for Work and Pensions are running a series of webinars to introduce employers to the benefits of the Kickstart Scheme. Following an overview of the scheme, there will be an opportunity to ask questions. Webinars will be held weekly on Microsoft Teams. To attend, register for free on Eventbrite.

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/dwp-kickstart-scheme-animal-care-webinar-tickets-160191411825

Get your application in soon. Apply by October to give the best opportunity of taking advantage of the Kickstart Scheme!”

This is a fantastic opportunity for your members to seek information about the Kickstart scheme and how it can work for them.

04/08/2021

We have had reports of a boarding kennels in the Derby area being broken into and dogs stolen in the early hours.

We will provide more details if we can - in the meantime be vigilant.

12/07/2021

The Petitions Committee has scheduled a debate on a petition relating to breed specific legislation.Elliot Colburn MP, member of the Petitions Committee, wil...

09/07/2021

Do you want to join us as a member?? 😃

Do you want to join ALIKC as a member?

Drop us an email for more information or for a membership form! 🐶🐱🐾

06/07/2021

This is the statement from the CFSG following their Big Tent meeting at which ALIKC were represented.

Like any event engaging 130 people there was lots covered in smaller groups - we had opportunities to raise issues & concerns raised by our members in relation to welfare & the regulations.

Of course, there were mixed views too so the CFSG have taken all input to analyse and hopefully review further.

https://www.cfsg.org.uk/news/cfsg-big-tent-2021/

We will provide further updates as they are issued.

CFSG Big tent 2021 02/07/2021 Marisa CFSG held a virtual Big Tent meeting today with over 130 attendees from across the dog and cat sector including vets, behaviourists, campaigners, groomers, breeders and retailers. Attendees discussed the moves to reduce the number of pet dogs and cats that can be...

25/06/2021

As an associate member of the CFSG (Canine Feline Sector Group) we will be joining a meeting with other members of the CFSG to review & hear about the following agenda items …..

- New Legislation
- CFSG 2021/22 Workplan

Unfortunately we don’t have any more detail at this time but would welcome any views for us to raise in relation to these two items.

We will of course provide as much feedback after the event as we are able to.

Thanks

https://www.cfsg.org.uk

Home The Canine and Feline Sector Group (CFSG) is made up of influential organisations who advise Government on behalf of the sector on strategically important dog and cat health and welfare issues and standards. ​CFSG is a “not for profit” body which offers expert advice and recommendations w...

19/06/2021

The covid pandemic has undoubtedly affected us all and manyof our businesses have, at best, under performed but some have sadly had to close all together.
None of us saw this coming, and no one could really for see the disasterous effect it would have on the World and our economy.
This has been a learning curve.A learning curve, a learning curve for everyone,including Government Ministers who have tried mitigate the effects this had had on all our lives. It has certainly been a learning curve for ALIKC, our committee, and our membership.
We have constantly been lobbying Government on your behalf to try to rectify the injustices and inconsistencies we have experienced in the way our sector is officially classified and how state aid has been distributed (or not) through local authorities. we have conducted nation wide surveys to identify the problem councils and have offered advice on how best to engage with council officials and access these discretionary grants.
It is therefore of concern, at a time when we should be standing together to rectify these issues that as a business sector we have appeared to panic and fragmented campaign groups have been formed with unclear long term objectives and agendas. Have we not learnt from our four-legged friends the strength of a pack? Can we not see that the bigger we are as a collective, the less likely we are to "fall between the cracks"!? ALIKC has been in existence for 6 years now and has a new committee, a talented team who are in it for the long term and are prepared to freely give their time for no other reward than knowing it is for the greater good of this business we all love. Our objective has been to prove our commitment to our membership and gain a 'track record'.
So I would ask you to just ponder a while before you dig into your hard earned funds for membership fees....DO WE REALLY NEED YET ANOTHER PACK COMPETING FOR LEADERSHIP

17/06/2021

⚠ CAT FOOD RECALL | An outbreak of a rare condition that causes severe illness in cats has led to a voluntary recall of multiple brands of cat food ➡ http://whi.ch/CatFoodRecall

Fold Hill Foods is voluntarily recalling a number of its hypoallergenic cat food products, from brands including Sainsbury’s, AVA and Applaws, over a possible link to an outbreak of a potentially fatal cat condition, feline pancytopenia.

02/06/2021

Please be aware that members now have the access to our reporting scheme which has been set up to try and reduce the number of rogue unlicensed operators and create a fair playing field. Lets face it guys, in these times, we need as much help as we can find and Grants are only one of the many business issues we face.

05/05/2021

An article published on line ......

https://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/uknews/could-compulsory-pet-licences-help-in-the-battle-against-dog-theft/ar-BB1fZkEE?ocid=msedgdhp

Posted here for sharing awareness.

Our furry friends have been hugely important during the last terrible year; they have a comforting cuddle and, perhaps most importantly, they have been our excuse to step over the threshold of our front doors for daily exercise. Even those formerly dog-less have, rightly or wrongly, acquired so-call...

01/05/2021

***Long post...get comfy***

Firstly thank you all for your communication, time and efforts this week. What a phenomenal bunch you are. Thank you also for your patience...it’s getting seriously busy now but how great to have us all in one place💜

1 - A massive congratulations to all those who have received their discretionary grant monies this week, following receipt of our documentation, in parity of the restart grant. As an industry every win is so relevant as it shows that councils can get this right for all of us. Good job, you’ve earned it (and more!)

2 - We have drafted and sent responses to those councils who have said ‘no’ due to the fact that they don’t understand or sadly cannot read.

3 - We will be sectioning responses to those councils who have not responded to you (ridiculous I know)

4 - We are documenting all responses and payments from councils on a spreadsheet which is thankfully gaining momentum now👍🏻

5 - We have contacted Sir Lindsay Hoyle to update and will get more information from him next week.

6 - we have a further strategy that we are working on with legals for those of us unsuccessful with our councils...our aim is to get this right for all of us.

7 - Priti Patel visited one of our lovely members yesterday to be interviewed re dog theft and was informed of our plight with documentation to take away. We have followed that up today with the house of commons.

8 - We are attending an MP meeting with another lovely member on Friday and have two further ones pending in order to push their council.

9 - as of Monday 10th May 2021 our governing body in full representation of our industry will be live. The British Alliance of Catteries & Kennels.

Please keep us updated, we want to get this right for all of us✨

Thank you again♥️

28/04/2021

Just received this by email from Cliverton. Check that your insurance is updated to reflect your own business situation whoever you might be insured with....



Kennel & Cattery Insurance - Planning for the Future

As we all know Covid-19 hit many businesses very hard and the kennel and cattery sector has been one of these. You may have contacted us over the past year or so to either adjust your cover at renewal or mid-term so we could make some savings on the cost of your cover and you may have received a rebate or had your renewal premium lowered as a consequence.

I’m writing just to remind you that as we all start to emerge from the latest and longest lockdown so far you may be experiencing and planning for an upturn in your turnover. Hopefully this could mean that you may be expecting to get back nearer to your optimum trading levels sooner rather than later.

This communication is a reminder not to overlook your insurance protection. We have already seen some animal trade businesses do this and one recently paid the ultimate consequence by resuming trade but forgetting to reinstate their insurance cover. Please don’t let this happen to you.

You can complete the declaration form by clicking HERE or simply call us to advise the changes you require. Whichever way you choose to tell us please don’t overlook reviewing your cover.

Yours sincerely,

Mark Briggs,
Director (Cliverton)

28/04/2021

Think we’ll start this by saying... WHAT A MIXED BAG!!! We expected a very mixed response from councils but my word it’s no wonder so many have been so confused throughout this pandemic🤦🏻‍♀️

What I will say at this point is thank you for calling us and emailing your response. The more wins the better as this will bring the argument of parity which will result in us all winning as an industry.

😁Our industry is now a HOT POTATO!!!😁

We already have more ‘wins’ than we expected at this stage and once those funds are received throughout the uk we will have that evidence in black and white not only from the council but confirmed by our fellow cattery / kennel owner’s. We already have evidence from Fylde Council and St Albans to confirm they have paid / are paying the discretionary restart grant to our Catteries and kennels in their locations. Not only that but they have happily communicated with us too!

We are logging each ‘win’ on a council document and using the collated evidence to fight for others yet to ‘win’ (ourselves included!)

We have a number of you to respond to today in regards to the best method of attack now following each ‘random’ council response. Please continue to be patient with us; we’re juggling a two year old, a three year old and work...but those are the reasons we started all this♥️ ... and ultimately if your going to do it for one you may as well do it for all😉

Behind this screen is Craig, Claire and Sara. Backed by Anser (legals) and our sound boards are Peter Reid, Stella and Leah.

Our aim is to help all of us achieve the ‘equivalent’ of the restart grant via the council discretionary ARG.

Please email / call using the details on this page if you need help urgently👍🏻 We are very happy to speak with any / all of you.

Much love...

P.S
Spread the word, this strength in numbers jazz is magic!✨

21/04/2021

With input from ALIKC members we have had the following article published by Purina.

https://www.purina.co.uk/articles/dogs/behaviour/travel/choosing-a-boarding-kennel-for-your-dog?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_term=image&utm_campaign=NPP07754_Better_Together_April_B

Going on a holiday and leaving your pet behind? Make your dog’s boarding process a stress-free experience with these handy tips for choosing the right kennel.