Leaving a pet with someone else while you are away is stressful enough without wondering whether the arrangement is properly regulated. This article covers England only. The GOV.UK licence guidance states that it applies exclusively to England and that Wales has separate requirements, so readers elsewhere in the UK should check their own nation’s rules.
Who needs a licence in England
According to GOV.UK, a licence is required for a boarding kennel or cattery, a dog day care business, a home-based dog boarding operation, and a business that arranges boarding for other people’s pets. The guidance is explicit that someone running a business still needs to apply even if they look after only a small number of animals in their own home.
The statutory guidance for local authorities explains the test: a licence is needed where the activity is carried out as a commercial business, meaning the operator makes sales, works for profit or earns commissions or fees. It also lists exemptions. People whose trading income is below the current HMRC trading income allowance do not need a licence, and veterinary practices where the housing is part of veterinary treatment fall outside the kennel boarding licence.
Licences last 1, 2 or 3 years, with the council deciding both the cost and the length. The council inspects the premises before granting a licence and may inspect again afterwards. Operating without a licence, or failing to follow its conditions, can bring an unlimited fine or up to six months in prison.
What a kennel licence requires
The statutory guidance on dog kennel boarding sets out conditions that councils apply. Among them:
- Sleeping areas must let dogs sit and stand at full height, lie fully stretched out and turn around without touching.
- Dogs must have regular opportunities during the day to toilet, either through direct access to runs or by being taken out of their kennels at least four times a day, plus at least one walk a day or access to a secure open space.
- Temperatures must stay above an absolute minimum of 10°C and below a maximum of 26°C.
- Isolation facilities are needed for sick, injured or infectious dogs.
- Dogs must have current vaccinations against canine parvovirus, distemper, hepatitis and leptospirosis.
- Registers must record arrival and departure dates, medical history, vaccination records and owner contact details.
- A written emergency plan is required, fire exits must be kept clear and there must be a designated key holder within 30 minutes’ travel.
- All dogs must be checked at least once daily, or more often where necessary.
What home boarding adds
Home boarding has its own guidance. Each dog from the same household must have access to a room where it can sleep, go to hide and be kept separate from other dogs. Dogs cannot be housed in conservatories, bedrooms used by under-16s, garages, cupboards, cellars, lofts, balconies or outdoor structures. Each member of staff should have ten dogs or fewer to care for.
Where dogs from different households are boarded together, the guidance requires the written consent of every owner and a documented trial session so that the dogs can get used to each other. Bitches in season cannot board with dogs from other households, and the business must be registered with a vet whose contact details are displayed. Records must be kept for at least three years.
Star ratings and longer licences
Businesses that meet higher standards can qualify for 4-5 star ratings and licences of two or three years. For kennels, the guidance says this means meeting all of the required higher standards and at least half of the optional ones. Home boarders can also earn longer licences by meeting higher standards. A longer licence is a sign the council has judged the business against a higher bar, though it is still worth visiting in person.
Questions to ask before you book
- Can I see the licence? Licensed operators must display it on the premises and show the licence number in advertising.
- Is the business licensed by my local council for the specific activity, whether kennel, cattery, day care or home boarding?
- What is your emergency plan, and who holds the keys out of hours?
- Which vaccinations do you require, and how do you handle a dog that becomes unwell?
- For home boarding: will my dog share space with dogs from other households, and have all owners consented in writing?
The bottom line
In England, anyone running a boarding kennel, cattery, dog day care or home boarding business needs a council licence, and the council inspects before granting it. Licence conditions cover space, exercise, temperature, vaccination, records and emergency plans, and home boarders face extra rules about separation and consent. Ask to see the licence, ask about the conditions above and treat any operator who cannot show one as a reason to look elsewhere. These rules apply to England only.