Massachusetts General Law Chapter 140, Section 137A-C relates to the laws surround kennels. These sections require a person maintaining a kennel shall obtain a kennel license from the town or city in which they are operating. Prior to a license being issued, all kennel applicants must have the kennel inspected by the Animal Control Officer. Additionally, Town Bylaw Title VIII, Article 2, Section 5 further outlines requirements for kennel owners.

The Town Bylaw sets definitions for five different types of kennels requiring licenses by the Office of the Town Clerk. Please review Town Bylaw Title VIII, Article 2, Section 5 for complete definitions.

Commercial Boarding or Training Kennel             

This includes any establishment used for boarding, holding day care, overnight stays, or training of animals that are not the property of the owner of the establishment. These facilities do not include animal shelters or pet shops licensed by the state Director of Animal Health. It also does not apply to a facility operated solely for the purpose of grooming animals.

Commercial Breeder Kennel

This includes any establishment engaged in the business of breeding animals for sale or exchange to wholesalers, brokers, or pet shops for a fee or other consideration.

Personal Kennel

This includes any collection or pack of five or more dogs who are ages three months or older and are owned or kept under a single ownership for private personal purposes.

Domestic Charitable Corporation Kennel

This includes any facility operator or maintained by a domestic charitable corporation registered with the state Department of Agricultural Resources or an animal welfare society or other non-profit.

Veterinary Kennel

This includes any veterinary hospital or clinics that boards dogs for reasons in addition to medical care and treatment. This does not include a hospital or clinic used solely to house dogs that have undergone veterinary treatment or observation.

Failure to comply with licensing requirements may result in a fine of $50. Find more information of licensing your kennel facility from the Office of the Town Clerk.

Inspections

Kennel facilities must be inspected prior to a license being issued and each year upon renewal by the Animal Control Officer or designee. Kennels are to be inspection to ensure that they are maintained in a sanitary and human manner. Inspections may also be completed as a result of a complaint filed with the appropriate Town Authority.