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Dog boarding


There are three types of dog boarding licences, home, kennel and day care.

Home

A home boarding licence is required for businesses that provide day care and overnight stays for dogs within the business operator’s home.

All activities need a licence if they are carried out as a commercial business where the operator:

  • makes any sale or carries out the activity to make a profit
  • earns any commission or fee from the activity

Applicants must provide housing for other people’s dogs at home for day and/or overnight stays.

This must be inside a domestic home which is not:

  • the usual home where the animals are kept
  • in outdoor kennels

Businesses which arrange for the provision of accommodation for other people’s dogs will also be in scope. This includes franchises and businesses which connect pet owners with people willing to look after their animals for no fee. This business model will require an arranger’s licence for dogs to be boarded at host properties.

Hosts must be listed on the arranger’s licence and the host must ensure they do not earn more income than the current HMRC trading income allowance states. If a host is earning more than this, they should hold their own home boarding licence independently.

This is for dogs that stay within a domestic home premises only and outbuildings or kennels cannot be used by the operator for the activity.

There are specific conditions in regards to home boarding which need to be followed. This also includes details of what records you need to keep.

Kennels

A dog kennel boarding licence is required for businesses that provide day care or overnight accommodation in a kennel environment.

All activities need a licence if they are carried out as a commercial business.

The operator will need a licence if they:

  • make any sale or carry out the activity to make a profit
  • earns any commission or fee from the activity

There are specific conditions in regards to kennel boarding which need to be followed. This also includes details of what records you need to keep.

Commercial dog day care

A dog day care licence is required for businesses which provide day care facilities for dogs which are not located on a domestic premises. Overnight stays of dogs are not permitted for this licence type.

If a dog day care is operating inside a domestic house, then a home boarding licence is required.

There are specific conditions in regards to day care which need to be followed. This also includes details of what records you need to keep.

Applications

You will need to provide us with information about the business such as your operating facilities, including accommodation, cleaning, and feeding procedures.

  • where the dogs are kept including number, size and what it's made from
  • exercise arrangements
  • enrichment activities, toys etc.
  • food storage and preparation
  • how you hope to keep noise levels down
  • separation/grouping of dogs
  • transport
  • your standard procedures for cleaning and maintaining hygiene
  • copies of staff training and qualifications (including yourself)
  • emergency procedures including accommodation of dogs if the premises becomes uninhabitable

Considerations before you apply

  • running a business from a premises may require planning permission
  • if you live in rented accommodation, check the terms of your tenancy agreement and obtain consent from the landlord before you apply, most rental properties do not allow businesses to be operated from the premises
  • check that the animal accommodation will be compliant with the size and materials in the DEFRA guidance

Apply

What happens next

Once we receive your application we will check it within three working days to determine whether the application has been completed fully and all supporting documents are present. If further information is required to make your application valid, you will be notified by email.

All applications will be decided within 10 weeks of the date the application is deemed valid.

Making changes and renewals

If you need to change your licence you can find out more on our variations to animal licences webpage.

Renewals

You need to renew a minimum of 10 weeks before the expiry date. A copy of the current public liability insurance certificate and any procedures which have been updated should be attached to the renewal application. If you have missed the renewal date and your licence has expired, you will be required to pay the new application fee instead of the renewal fee.

Renew

Licence fees

Home boarding

Number of dogsApplicationRenewal
Up to 4  £590 £490
5 or more £605 £505
Arranger fee £380 £340
Host fee £190 £130

Kennel boarding

Number of dogsApplicationRenewal
Up to 50  £655 £555
51 or more £715 £620

Dog day care

Number of dogsApplicationRenewal
Up to 4  £590 £490
5 or more £605 £505

Procedures and records

DEFRA (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) outline the specific conditions in regards to boarding on GOV.UK which need to be followed. This also includes details of what records you need to keep.

Home boarding

Open

Procedures

Part A

  • 5.5 - Procedures must be in place to make sure housing and any equipment is cleaned as often as necessary and good hygiene standards are maintained. The housing must be capable of being thoroughly cleaned and disinfected. Designated rooms must be inspected at least once a day and kept clean, in accordance with the documented cleaning and disinfection procedure. Dogs must be moved from the area while it is being cleaned. Faeces must be removed from all areas at least twice a day, but as often as necessary. Where a pest problem is identified, a control programme must be implemented.
  • 7.1 - A facility must create a written programme that shows how they provide an enriching environment inside and outside. The programme will show how the facility will provide grooming/socialisation/play
  • 7.5 - Written procedures in place for dogs that under one year of age
  • 8.2 - Policy must be in place to monitor new dogs coming into the home environment Note: This would be a trial familiarisation session for new dogs and could be recorded on the booking form
  • 8.2 - It is not recommended that cats are kept on the premises. If there are resident cats, the licence holder must identify where the cats could experience stress and show how they plan to reduce the chance of stress to protect the cat’s welfare.

Part B

  • 16.3 - If any person under 16 years resides at the home, there must be procedures in place to regulate the interactions between dogs and that person. If children live on the premises, there must be a procedure in place to safeguard them and the dogs.
  • 18.2 - Preventative healthcare plan agreed with the veterinarian with whom the licence holder has registered.

Records

Condition

Details of what to record

4.3

Staff training records (records of courses, written or online learning, keeping up to date with any research or developments and annual appraisals)

6.2

Feed and (where appropriate water intake) must be monitored, any problems to be recorded and addressed.

The general condition of all long stay dogs for weight gain/loss

7.3 & 9.14

The animal’s behaviour and any changes of behaviour must be monitored. Changes of behaviour must be recorded, and the owner must be told if there are signs of:

  • suffering
  • stress
  • fear
  • aggression
  • anxiety

Any signs of pain, suffering, injury, disease or abnormal behaviour must be recorded Presence or absence of faeces and urine must be monitored daily. Anything unusual must be recorded and acted upon

9.4

An up-to-date veterinary vaccination record must be seen to show that dogs, including resident dogs, have current vaccinations against:

  • canine parvovirus
  • canine distemper
  • infectious canine hepatitis (adenovirus)
  • leptospirosis
  • other relevant diseases

Note: you are required to keep a record of the vaccination status of all dogs on your premises at all times. You could keep copy of the vaccination cards or record the expiry date of the vaccination for each dog on a spreadsheet or calendar.

9.8

The licence holder must register with a vet which is no more than 30 minutes travelling distance under normal traffic conditions.

13.1

Documented trial session for dogs to familiarise with each other before they home board. This includes familiarisation with resident dogs at the property

17.1

A register must be kept of all the dogs on the premises which must include:

Note: all the information below must be contained in your client booking form

  • arrival and departure dates
  • name of dog and its age, sex, neuter status, microchip number and a description of it or its breed
  • number of dogs from same household
  • details of dogs from same household (name of dog and its age, sex, neuter status, microchip number and a description of it or its breed)
  • the owner’s name, postal address, telephone number, email address and emergency contact details
  • in an event of an emergency, a local contact’s name, postal address, telephone number and email address
  • the name and contact details of the dog’s normal veterinarian and details of  any insurance relating to the dog
  • details of the dog’s relevant medical and behavioural history, including details of any treatment administered against parasites and restrictions on exercise
  • details of the dog’s diet and related requirements
  • consent forms (see table below)
  • record of the date or dates of each dog’s most recent vaccination, worming and flea treatments
  • details of any medical treatment the dog is receiving

18.2

A preventative healthcare plan agreed with the vet with whom the licence holder has registered with.

Consent

Condition

Details of consent - note: these could be included as part of your client booking form or a separate terms and conditions page

6.1/14.1

Dogs must be separated at feeding time unless the owner has allowed this by consent.

Each dog must be fed separately in its designated room unless its owner has given written consent to the contrary.

7.1

A facility must create a written programme that shows how they provide an enriching environment inside and outside. This must be agreed with the owner.

7.2

Outdoor areas must not be used by more than one dog at any one time, unless they are from the same household, or the owner has allowed this by written consent

9.4

If there is evidence of external parasites such as fleas, ticks or lice, the dog must be treated with an appropriate product authorised by the Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) and licensed for use in the UK. Treatment must be discussed with a vet before giving it to the dog. The owner must consent to this.

9.8

The dog owner and licence holder must agree which vet will be used. This decision must be recorded.

9.10

Medicine must only be used:

  • with the owner’s consent
  • following a discussion with a vet

9.12

The licence holder must keep a record of all euthanasia and the identity of the qualified veterinarian that carried it out. The owner or designated main point of contact must be contacted to give consent. Unless imperative for the welfare of the dog, euthanasia must not take place until consent is given.

13.1

Dogs from different households may only be boarded at the same time with the written consent of every owner

13.2

Dogs from the same household can be kept together with written consent from the owner.

13.6

A dog must not be kept in a crate unless:

  • it is already habituated to it
  • a crate forms part of the normal routine for the dog
  • the dog’s owner has consented to the use of a crate

15.2

Each dog must be exercised at least once daily as appropriate for its age and health. The owner’s written consent must be obtained to:

  • walk a dog outside the home environment or garden
  • let a dog off the lead
  • walk a dog with others other than those from its household

9.3

Appropriate isolation, in separate self-contained facilities, must be available for the care of sick, injured or potentially infectious animals. If the isolation facility is at another location, such as a local veterinary practice, the licence holder must be able to show evidence that this is ready to use (e.g. a letter/email from the practice)

9.8

The licence holder must register with a vet which is no more than 30 minutes travelling distance under normal traffic conditions.

18.2

A preventative healthcare plan agreed with the vet with whom the licence holder has registered with

Kennels

Open

Procedures

Part A

  • 5.5 - Procedures must be in place to make sure housing and any equipment within it is cleaned as often as necessary and good hygiene standards are maintained. The housing must be capable of being thoroughly cleaned and disinfected.
    • kennel units must be inspected daily and kept in a clean condition, in accordance with the cleaning and disinfection procedure produced by the facility.
    • kennels must be disinfected at least once a week and at occupancy change.
    • faeces must be removed from all areas as often as necessary and in any case a minimum of twice a day. Where a pest problem is identified, a control programme must be implemented.
  • 7.1 - Active and effective environmental enrichment must be provided to the animals in inside and any outside environments. A documented programme must be available and agreed with the owner, setting out enrichment both inside and outside. This includes grooming, socialisation and play.
  • 7.5 - All immature animals must be given suitable and adequate opportunities to:
    • learn how to interact with people, their own species and other animals where such interaction benefits their welfare
    • become habituated to noises, objects and activities in their environment
    • documented processes must be in place to accommodate the needs of dogs under one year of age.
  • 8.1 All people responsible for the care of the animals must be competent in the appropriate handling of each animal to protect it from pain, suffering, injury or disease. A policy must be in place for dealing with difficult dogs

Part B

  • 10.2 - A preventative healthcare plan agreed with the veterinarian with whom the licence holder has registered under paragraph 9(8) of Schedule 2 must be implemented.

Records

Condition

Details of what to record

4.3

Staff training records (records of courses, written or online learning, keeping up to date with any research or developments and annual appraisals)

6.2

Feed and (where appropriate) water intake must be monitored, and any problems recorded and addressed.

Dogs must be monitored if they remain in appetent (without appetite) for longer than 24 hours. If there are concerns, staff must seek veterinary advice.

Water intake must be checked and staff must seek veterinary advice if the dog is not drinking or is drinking excessively.

The general condition of all long-stay dogs must be monitored and dogs displaying significant weight loss or gain must be evaluated by a vet and treated as necessary.

7.3

The animals’ behaviour and any changes of behaviour must be monitored. Advice must be sought, as appropriate and without delay, from a vet or, in the case of fish, any person competent to give such advice if adverse or abnormal behaviour is detected.

The behaviour of each dog must be monitored daily. Changes in behaviours must be recorded and acted upon if there are signs of:

  • suffering
  • stress
  • fear
  • aggression

All staff must be able to identify dogs that are anxious or fearful about contact. Records of assessment must be kept.

9.4

An up-to-date veterinary vaccination record must be seen to show that dogs, including resident dogs, have current vaccinations against:

  • canine parvovirus
  • canine distemper
  • infectious canine hepatitis (adenovirus)
  • leptospirosis
  • other relevant diseases

9.14

Any signs of pain, suffering, injury, disease or abnormal behaviour must be recorded and the advice and further advice (if necessary) of a vet (or in the case of fish, of an appropriately competent person) must be sought and followed.

Records and any associated checklists must be made available to inspectors.

Presence or absence of faeces and urine must be monitored daily. Any abnormalities must be recorded and acted upon as appropriate.

9.1

A register must be kept of all the dogs at the premises which must include:

Note: all of the information below must be contained in your client booking form

  • the dates of each dog’s arrival and departure
  • each dog’s name, age, sex, neuter status, microchip number and a description of it or its breed
  • the number of any dogs from the same household
  • a record of which dogs (if any) are from the same household
  • the name, postal address, telephone number and email address of the owner of each dog and emergency contact details
  • the name, postal address, telephone number and email address of a local contact in an emergency for each dog
  • the name and contact details of the dog’s normal veterinarian and details of any insurance relating to the dog
  • details of each dog’s relevant medical and behavioural history, including details of any treatment administered against parasites and restrictions on exercise
  • details of the dog’s diet and related requirements
  • consent forms (the consents are below- you could add these to your client booking form or a separate terms and conditions forms)
  • a record of the date or dates of each dog’s most recent vaccination, worming and flea treatments
  • details of any medical treatment each dog is receiving

Consents

Condition

Details of consent - note: these could be included as part of your client booking form or a separate terms and conditions page

6.1

The diet must be agreed with the dog’s owner.

Dogs must be fed separately from other dogs, unless the owner has agreed dogs from the same household can share a unit.

7.1

A facility must create a written programme that shows how they provide an enriching environment inside and outside. This must be agreed with the owner.

7.2

Outdoor areas must not be used by more than one dog at any one time, unless they are from the same household or prior written consent has been obtained from the owners.

The owner’s consent is needed for a dog to walk with other dogs.

8.2

Only dogs from the same household can share a kennel unit and they must be monitored. The owner must give written authorisation to do this and consent must also include the authority to separate the dogs if there are problems.

9.4

If there is evidence of external parasites such as fleas, ticks or lice, the dog must be treated with an appropriate product authorised by the Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) and licensed for use in the UK. Treatment must be discussed with a vet before giving it to the dog. The owner must consent to this.

9.7

Any preventive treatment must be administered with written consent from the owner and under the direction of a veterinarian.

9.8

The licence holder will decide which vet they will use. They must get written consent from the dog’s owner before taking the dog to the vet.

9.10

All medications must only be used with prior consent of the owner and in discussion with a vet.

9.12

The licence holder must keep a record of all euthanasia and the identity of the qualified vet that carried it out. The owner or designated main point of contact must be contacted to give consent. Unless imperative for the welfare of the dog, euthanasia must not take place until consent is given

7.8

Only dogs from the same household may share a kennel unit. Written authorisation from the owner is required.

9.3

Appropriate isolation, in separate self-contained facilities, must be available for the care of sick, injured or potentially infectious animals. If the isolation facility is at another location, such as a local veterinary practice, the licence holder must be able to show evidence that this is ready to use (e.g. A letter/email from the practice)

9.8

The licence holder must register with a vet that has an appropriate level of experience in the health and welfare requirements of any animals specified in the licence. The contact details of that vet must be readily available to all staff on the premises used for the licensable activity.

The vet’s details must be displayed where they can be easily seen by all staff members.

This must include:

  • name
  • address
  • telephone number
  • out of hours telephone number

The veterinary practice must be within a reasonable travel distance.

10.2

A preventative healthcare plan agreed with the vet with whom the licence holder has registered with

Commercial dog day care

Open

Procedures

Part A

  • 5.5 - Procedures must be in place to make sure housing and any equipment is cleaned as often as necessary and good hygiene standards are maintained. The housing must be capable of being thoroughly cleaned and disinfected. All furnishings must be inspected daily and kept in a clean condition, in accordance with the facility’s documented cleaning and disinfection procedure.
    • faeces must be removed from all areas as often as necessary and at least twice a day.
    • dogs must be moved from the area while it’s being cleaned.
    • where there is a pest problem, a pest control programme must be put into place.
  • 7.1 - Active and effective environmental enrichment must be provided to the animals in inside and any outside environments. A facility must create a written programme that shows how they provide an enriching environment.
  • 7.5 - All immature animals must be given suitable and adequate opportunities to:
    • learn how to interact with people, their own species and other animals where such interaction benefits their welfare, and
    • become habituated to noises, objects and activities in their environment. There must be written procedures in place for dogs that are under one year of age. They must be housed separately from older dogs unless the owner has given written consent for them to mix with other dogs.
  • 8.2 - The animals must be kept separately or in suitable compatible social groups appropriate to the species and individual animals. No animals from a social species may be isolated or separated from others of their species for any longer than is necessary. A written policy must be followed to monitor a new dog added to a group. This is to avoid stress to new or existing animals. Note: This would be a trial familiarisation session for new dogs and could be recorded on the booking form

Part B

  • 26.2 - A preventative healthcare plan agreed with the veterinarian with whom the licence holder has registered with must be implemented.

Records

Condition

Details of what to record

4.3

Staff training records (records of courses, written or online learning, keeping up to date with any research or developments and annual appraisals)

6.2

Feed and (where appropriate) water intake must be monitored, and any problems recorded and addressed. The amount of water a dog drinks must be checked. The owner must be told if the dog is drinking too much or not enough.

7.3

The animals’ behaviour and any changes of behaviour must be monitored.

Changes of behaviour must be recorded and the owner must be told if there are signs of:

  • suffering
  • stress
  • fear
  • aggression
  • anxiety

9.4

An up-to-date veterinary vaccination record must be seen to show that dogs, including resident dogs, have current vaccinations against:

  • canine parvovirus
  • canine distemper
  • infectious canine hepatitis (adenovirus)
  • leptospirosis
  • other relevant diseases

Note: you are required to keep a record of the vaccination status of all dogs on your premises at all times. You could keep copy of the vaccination cards or record the expiry date of the vaccination for each dog on a spreadsheet.

9.14

Any signs of pain, suffering, injury, disease or abnormal behaviour must be recorded and the advice and further advice (if necessary) of a veterinarian must be sought and followed.

Presence or absence of faeces and urine must be monitored daily. Anything unusual must be recorded and acted upon.

23.1

All dogs must be screened before being admitted to the premises to ensure that they are not afraid, anxious or stressed in the presence of other dogs or people and do not pose a danger to other dogs or staff.

You must keep a record of each screening you do.

25.1

A register must be kept of all the dogs on the premises which must include:

Note: all the information below must be contained in your client booking form

  • arrival and departure dates
  • name of dog and its age, sex, neuter status, microchip number and a description of it or its breed
  • the owner’s name, postal address, telephone number, email address and emergency contact details
  • in an event of an emergency, a local contact’s name, postal address, telephone number and email address
  • the name and contact details of the dog’s normal veterinarian and details of any insurance relating to the dog
  • details of the dog’s relevant medical and behavioural history, including details of any treatment administered against parasites and restrictions on exercise
  • details of the dog’s diet and related requirements
  • consent forms (see table below)
  • record of the date or dates of each dog’s most recent vaccination, worming and flea   treatments
  • details of any medical treatment the dog is receiving

Consents

Condition

Details of consent - note: these could be included as part of your client booking form or a separate terms and conditions page

5.2

A dog must not be in a crate for longer than one hour in any 8-hour period. They must only be crated if it forms part of the dog’s normal routine. The dog’s owner must have consented to the use of the crate.

6.1

If a dog needs to be fed during the day, they must be fed according to its individual needs. Any dietary requirements must be discussed and agreed with the owner.

Dogs must be separated for feeding unless the owner has given written consent allowing them to eat with others.

7.1

A facility must create a written programme that shows how they provide an enriching environment. This must be agreed with the owner.

7.2

The owner must consent to their dog being walked with others.

7.5

There must be written procedures in place for dogs that are under one year of age. They must be housed separately from older dogs unless the owner has given consent for them to mix with other dogs.

9.4

If there is evidence of external parasites such as fleas, ticks or lice, the dog must be treated with an appropriate product authorised by the Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) and licensed for use in the UK. Treatment must be discussed with a vet before giving it to the dog. The owner must consent to this.

9.7

Where necessary, animals must receive preventative treatment by an appropriately competent person.

Any treatment must have:

  • consent of the owner
  • direction from a vet

9.8

The dog owner and licence holder must agree which vet will be used. This decision must be recorded.

9.10

Medicine must only be used:

  • with the owner’s consent
  • following a discussion with a vet

9.12

The licence holder must keep a record of all euthanasia and the identity of the qualified veterinarian that carried it out. The owner or designated main point of contact must be contacted to give consent. Unless imperative for the welfare of the dog, euthanasia must not take place until consent is given.

22.1

Dogs must be fed to meet the individual dog’s needs and with the owner’s written consent