Dog Boarding in England: Licence Checks and What Owners Should Ask
Quick answer
In England, commercial boarding kennels and catteries, dog day care, home boarding and businesses that arrange boarding all need a local council licence. The licence number must appear in advertising and the licence on the premises — so ask for it, then confirm it with the issuing council.At a glance
- Licences run 1, 2 or 3 years; the council sets cost and length.
- The council inspects before granting and may inspect again at any time.
- A sitter looking after your dog in your own home is outside the home boarding licence.
- Number of dogs is not the test — running a business is.
- England only. Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland have their own arrangements.
By PetCompare Editorial Team · Published 2026-08-18 · Updated 2026-08-18 · 6 min read · Editorially prepared by PetCompare — not veterinary advice
Which arrangements need a licence
GOV.UK guidance for England says you must apply to your local council for a licence to run:
- a boarding kennel or cattery
- a dog day care business
- a dog boarding business in your home
- a business that arranges boarding for other people's cats or dogs
A licence is still required if you are running a business even when only looking after a small number of animals at home. Statutory guidance tells inspectors to weigh whether the operator makes a sale, profit, commission or fee, alongside HMRC's badges of trade: trading income below the HMRC trading allowance does not require a licence, and being above it does not automatically make someone a business.
What sits outside the home boarding licence
- Veterinary practices where housing is part of treatment.
- Day care outside a home environment — that falls under the day care licence.
- Looking after a dog within its normal place of residence — a sitter at your house, or a dog walker visiting.
Cats must be boarded under a cat boarding licence, and home boarding must take place in a domestic home that is not the dog's usual home — not outdoor kennels. Arranger and franchise models are in scope, including businesses connecting owners with people who look after animals for no fee; it is the business's responsibility to ensure the accommodation meets the conditions.
How to check a licence before you book
- Look for the number on the website, advert or listing — statutory guidance requires the licence holder's name and number to be shown clearly on any website used for the activity.
- Ask directly if you cannot see one. A licensed operator will have it to hand.
- Check it with the issuing council, and ask whether it keeps a public register.
- Look at the licence on the premises: which activity it covers, the maximum number of dogs, and the expiry date.
PetCompare Hub does not hold or verify boarding licence numbers — the council is the authority, not us or the operator's advert.
Licence length, inspections and star ratings
Licences last 1, 2 or 3 years. The council inspects before granting and may inspect again at any time. The star rating and duration combine the inspector's risk and compliance assessment with the welfare standards met (minor failings, minimum, or higher standards):
| Assessment | Rating | Licence |
|---|---|---|
| Low risk, higher standards | 5 stars | 3 years |
| Higher risk, higher standards | 4 stars | 2 years |
| Minor failings (either risk category) | 1 star | 1 year |
Meeting the higher standards means all required standards plus at least half the optional ones. New applicants must meet at least the minimum standards. Because rating depends on compliance history too, licence length is not by itself a quality verdict.
What the licence conditions require
Operators must keep animals in suitable accommodation with adequate food, drink and bedding; visit and exercise them regularly; protect them from pain, suffering, injury and disease and in emergencies such as fire; use staff trained to care for them; keep records ready for inspection, such as a register of animals boarded with arrival and departure dates; and display the licence number in advertising and the licence on the premises.
Operating without a licence, or breaching conditions, can mean an unlimited fine or up to 6 months' imprisonment. A licence can be withdrawn if an inspection is obstructed or delayed, and will not be granted to someone who has committed an animal welfare offence or been banned from relevant activities.
Vaccination records
Both the home boarding and kennel boarding guidance require reasonable precautions against infectious disease, pathogens and parasites, and an up-to-date veterinary vaccination record showing dogs — including resident dogs — are currently vaccinated against canine parvovirus, canine distemper, infectious canine hepatitis (adenovirus), leptospirosis and other relevant diseases. Vaccination against kennel cough may also be required, and a vet certificate of a recent protective titre test may be accepted instead of a booster where it states the relevant validity period.
Practically: expect to be asked for your dog's vaccination record, and expect a licensed operator to insist on seeing it. What your dog needs and when is a question for your vet.
Kennel boarding, home boarding or day care?
- Kennel boarding — overnight stays in purpose-built kennels at commercial premises.
- Home boarding — stays in a domestic home that is not the dog's own. Conservatories, unconverted garages and bedrooms usually occupied by under-16s are excluded, and each family unit's dogs need a room where they can sleep, hide and be kept separate.
- Dog day care — daytime only, no overnight stays; a separate licence.
- Sitting or walking at your home — outside the home boarding licence.
For the practical trade-offs, see home boarding vs kennels, or browse dog boarding, doggy daycare, pet sitting and cat boarding.
What a licence does not tell you
A licence means a council assessed the premises against defined conditions and was satisfied at that point. It is a meaningful floor, not a guarantee of quality or of a good experience for your particular dog. Questions worth asking on top:
- What activity does your licence cover, and when does it expire?
- What is the maximum number of dogs on it, and how many staff are on site?
- Can I visit first, and can my dog have a trial visit or stay?
- Where will my dog sleep, and which dogs will it mix with?
- Which vet do you use, and what happens if my dog becomes unwell?
- What is your policy if my return is delayed?
England only — and rules change
All of the above applies to England; GOV.UK signposts separate guidance for Wales, and Scotland and Northern Ireland have their own rules — do not read this across to them. The home boarding and kennel boarding statutory guidance cited here was updated on 1 June 2026 and can be revised again, so check current GOV.UK guidance and the relevant council before booking or applying.
FAQs
Does a dog boarding business in England need a licence?
Yes. GOV.UK guidance for England says you must contact your local council for a licence if you provide or arrange boarding for cats or dogs, covering boarding kennels and catteries, dog day care businesses, dog boarding businesses run in your home, and businesses that arrange boarding for other people's animals. A licence is still required if you are running a business even when only looking after a small number of animals in your own home.
How can I check whether a boarding provider is licensed?
Licence holders must display the licence number in any advertising and display the licence clearly on the premises, and the statutory guidance requires the licence holder's name and licence number to be shown clearly on any website used for the activity. Look for the number, ask the operator if it is not shown, and confirm it with the issuing council, asking how to verify the licence or whether it provides a public register.
How long does a boarding licence last?
One, two or three years, with the council deciding the cost and the length. The GOV.UK animal activity licensing process combines the inspector's risk and compliance assessment with the welfare standards the business meets; achieving the higher standards is required for a 4 or 5 star rating, and the final star rating and licence duration follow the published matrix. New applicants must meet at least the minimum standards before a licence can be granted. Licence length on its own should not be treated as a quality verdict.
Does a pet sitter who comes to my house need a boarding licence?
The home boarding statutory guidance lists businesses that look after a dog within its normal place of residence, such as a dog sitter, among the activities that do not require that licence, because home boarding covers dogs staying in a domestic home that is not their own. Other rules may still apply to a sitting business, so ask the operator and the council about their position.
Will a boarding provider ask for my dog's vaccination records?
Expect to be asked. Both the home boarding and kennel boarding statutory guidance require an up-to-date veterinary vaccination record to be seen showing current vaccinations against canine parvovirus, canine distemper, infectious canine hepatitis (adenovirus), leptospirosis and other relevant diseases, and note that vaccination against diseases such as kennel cough may be required and that a vet certificate of a recent protective titre test may be accepted instead of a booster. What your individual dog needs is a question for your vet.
Does a licence mean the kennel is good?
No. A licence means the council inspected the premises and was satisfied the conditions were met, covering matters such as suitable accommodation, food, drink and bedding, regular visiting and exercise, protection from pain, suffering, injury and disease, emergency protection and trained staff. It is a regulatory floor, not a guarantee of quality or of a good experience for your particular dog, so visit, ask questions and consider a trial visit.
What happens if a business boards dogs without a licence?
GOV.UK states that providing or arranging boarding for cats or dogs without a licence, or failing to follow licence conditions, can lead to an unlimited fine or up to 6 months' imprisonment. A licence can also be removed if an inspection is stopped or delayed, and a person can be banned from running an animal boarding establishment.
Do these rules apply in Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland?
No. This guide applies only to England. The GOV.UK guidance cited here applies to England and signposts separate guidance for Wales; elsewhere in the UK, check the current rules for the relevant nation and confirm the position with the responsible authority before booking or applying.