Getting a Dog Home Boarding License
- Tori Lynn Crowther
- Jan 14
- 10 min read
Getting a Dog Home Boarding Licence
If you want to run a home dog boarding or dog day-care business in the UK, you must apply for a council licence under the Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) Regulations 2018. Passing the council’s inspection is essential to prove you meet legal standards. Below are the key requirements, paperwork and preparation tips to help ensure you pass the licence check.
Key Legal Requirements
Licence necessity: Any paid home boarding or day care of dogs requires a licence. (Dog walking alone does not.) You apply through your local council’s licensing or environmental health department.
Animal welfare focus: The inspection checks that your setup protects dog health and welfare. Think in terms of the “five welfare needs”: suitable environment, diet, ability to behave normally, company/solitude needs and good health.
Star rating: Councils give a star rating (1–5). Meeting all minimum standards earns a 3‑star licence (valid for 2 years). Failing any core requirement can lead to just 1‑2 stars or refusal. Know that new businesses typically start at 3 stars; aiming for all minimum conditions is your goal.
Accommodation & Environment
Designated rooms: Each dog must have its own safe, warm indoor room or area. Bathrooms, hallways or garages are generally not acceptable as permanent kennels. (Partitioned rooms are OK if each divided space meets all conditions.) Avoid poor spaces like cold cellars or sheds.
Space and comfort: Rooms should be large enough for the dog to stand, lie and turn freely. Provide comfortable bedding, crates or beds as needed (see notes on crates below). Ensure good ventilation and natural/artificial light (on 10–12 hour cycle). Keep sleeping areas at a comfortable temperature (roughly 10–26°C) and free from drafts or damp.
Safety and maintenance: Keep all areas dog-proof: lockable sturdy fences/doors, no loose cables or sharp edges, no toxic plants or chemicals accessible. Install secure screens on any low windows. Use non-slip floors and keep them clean and disinfected. Gates and doors must be escape-proof (animals shouldn’t dig under fencing, etc.).
Outdoors: Provide a secure outdoor area for toileting and free play. The yard should have firm, chewed-proof fencing and be cleaned of waste daily. If a dog boarder does outdoor toileting or exercise, make sure surfaces are safe (no glass, holes, etc.) and water is always available on warm days.
Crates: Official guidance allows crates if they suit the dog, but inspectors vary. Always use a crate only if a dog is already accustomed to it, and ensure it’s large, ventilated and firmly secured. Some councils disallow crates for boarding, so have alternative bedding ready. If you do use crates, get the owner’s written consent and explain its use in your welfare plan. (Crates must never confine a dog for hours on end without a break.)
Health, Feeding & Care
Exercise and enrichment: Plan regular exercise (at least one walk per day, unless owner says otherwise or vet advises rest). Tailor activity to each dog’s age, breed and health. Provide enrichment indoors and out (toys, playtime, training exercises, grooming sessions and socialization, if dogs get along). Keep records of each dog’s exercise and enrichment routines.
Feeding: Discuss and document each dog’s diet with the owner. Feed at least once daily (more for puppies or special diets) and never mix feeding bowls between dogs without permission. Keep fresh water available at all times (multiple bowls if needed so no dog is crowded out). Monitor eating and drinking: record any refusals or changes and inform the owner or vet if a dog stops eating for 24 hours. Store food safely (sealed containers, away from pests, and refrigerate perishables).
Health checks: Register with a local vet and keep an emergency care plan on file. Require proof of each dog’s up‑to‑date vaccinations, flea/tick and worming treatments before boarding. Do not accept dogs that are unvaccinated, ill or in heat. Keep detailed health records: vaccination dates, microchip numbers, known conditions or medications. Note any medical or behavioural issues in writing. Have a dog first-aid kit on hand.
Illness protocol: Immediately isolate any sick dog and contact your vet. Keep a “boarders’ register” (log) with arrival/departure dates, contact info for owners/vets, plus notes on any medication or treatments given. This documentation should be ready to show an inspector.
Staffing & Training
Competent carers: Even if you’re a one-person operation, you must always have someone able to respond to the dogs (so appoint a backup handler or neighbour). If you employ others, the ratio is roughly 1 person per 8–10 dogs. No more than six dogs should be walked together at once.
Training: At least one person (the licence holder or staff) needs canine first-aid training. You must be able to recognize stress, illness or injury in dogs. Get courses or certificates in dog welfare, handling and hygiene; keep records of any training (formal or online). A written staff training plan or your own CPD log is good evidence.
Background checks: Some councils require a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check for you and anyone else on the premises (because owners’ keys or children might be around). Even if not mandatory, consider it: it reassures inspectors. Also have a plan for child safety if there are children under 16 at your home (e.g. a gate between play area and dog area).
Emergency cover: Document who will look after the dogs if you’re away or incapacitated. Councils often ask for an emergency key-holder’s details (someone who can reach you or the property within 30 minutes). Include that person’s name and contact info in your paperwork.
Paperwork & Policies
Application form: Complete the official dog boarding licence application from your local council. Pay any fees. Provide proof of identity (ID, address) and, if needed, landlord’s permission if you rent your home.
Insurance: Have Public Liability insurance (minimum) and, if you employ staff, Employers Liability. Present a current insurance certificate to the council. This protects you if a dog injures someone or causes damage.
Veterinary registration: Give your vet’s details on the form. Some councils want a letter or simple agreement from your vet stating they’ll support and treat your boarded dogs in emergencies.
Standard Operating Procedures: Write and be ready to show written procedures for: cleaning and disinfection of areas, dog feeding (how and where), exercise routines, waste removal, and disease control (what you do if one dog gets fleas or an infectious disease). Also have a fire safety plan and first-aid procedure.
Risk assessments: Prepare simple risk assessments for your premises (fire escape plan, hazard checks for each room dogs use, secure fencing). A fire risk assessment is often explicitly required.
Owner consents: Have owner-signed consent forms covering key points: that their dog can be boarded in your home, share space with other dogs or pets, be walked off-lead or with other dogs, receive emergency veterinary care, and so on. Include a clause about crate use (if you plan to use crates). These consents protect you and clarify owners agree to your care conditions.
Record-keeping: Plan to keep up-to-date logs and registers. These include each dog’s boarding dates, personal details (microchip, age, owner’s contact), medical/vaccination history, behavioural notes, and any incident logs. Keep copies of vet and vaccination records, and note any medicine or supplements given. Inspectors will want to see neatly kept logs during the visit.
Inspection Preparation
Self-audit: Before the official inspection, do a practice run. Use a printed checklist (many councils publish them, e.g. Buckinghamshire’s “Home Boarding Checklist”) or the statutory guidance. Walk through your home as if you’re the inspector: open each door, show each room, point out safety features.
Cleanliness: Deep-clean and de-clutter all dog areas well in advance. The inspector will check for clean floors, no dog waste lying around, and sanitary conditions in sleeping and toileting areas.
Dogs on site: If possible, have at least one well-behaved dog present during the inspection (can be a resident dog). The inspector may want to see how dogs react and whether they are under control. If using crates or specific bedding, demonstrate them in use.
Documents at hand: Organize your paperwork in a folder by category (e.g. Policies, Dog Records, Emergency contacts, etc.). During the visit, the inspector will ask for evidence, so have your insurance, risk assessments, consent forms, training certificates, and the dog register readily accessible.
Trial runs: Some councils require you to do a trial familiarization with every new dog before its stay. In practice, treat the first day or evening as a “test” and record how it went. Be ready to describe this process.
Know the rules: You might be quizzed on regulations (e.g. how long dogs can be left alone). In general, dogs shouldn’t be left alone more than 3 hours unless absolutely necessary for that dog’s welfare. Explain your routine to the inspector (for example, “I walk my boarders first thing so they settle, then I start taking out walking clients,” or how you ensure dogs aren’t alone all day). Showing a clear plan helps.
Dealing with Local Variations
Check local guidance: While the national regulations set the base rules, each council can have extra conditions. Some councils merge home boarding and day care in one licence; others separate them. Look at your council’s website or talk to the licensing officer to see any local FAQs or requirements.
Inspector interpretations: Remember that inspectors are individuals. For example, one inspector might say “no crates ever,” while another says “crates are fine if dog is used to them and it’s specified by the owner.” Because of this variability:
Clarify ahead of time: When in doubt, email or call your licensing officer before the inspection to ask how they handle something (like crates, or if CCTV is expected). Getting guidance prevents surprises.
Be flexible: If an inspector suggests a change (e.g. “remove crates”), be prepared to accommodate it. You can explain it’s owner-preferred, but ultimately follow their directive and note it in your policies.
Document justifications: If you do things that might be questioned (like using crates), have written rationale ready: e.g. “Dog X sleeps in a crate at home for comfort, owner provided a signed note approving it, and we ensure it’s only used overnight and not for extended periods.” Showing that every practice is vetted for welfare helps.
Community advice: Join local pet-care or home-boarding groups (online forums or Facebook groups) and ask others about your council’s inspectors. Many home boarders share insights like “Council Y usually doesn’t mind crates” or “They expect DBS from all staff.” This insider knowledge can be invaluable.
Tips for a Successful Licence Check
Plan well in advance: Start preparing your policies, training and setup months before applying. Rushing paperwork or renovations at the last minute can lead to missed details.
Record everything: Maintained logs impress inspectors. Consider using a simple digital or notebook system for daily checks (e.g. a checklist of each dog’s walk, meals, and mood).
Transparency: During the inspection, walk the inspector through your day’s schedule. Show them where dogs sleep, how they exercise, and how waste and food are handled. Transparency builds trust.
Use official resources: The Government’s statutory guidance documents outline almost every requirement. While no references here, you can review their checklists on the gov.uk site for yourself. Similarly, use council checklists (like the one from Buckinghamshire or other local examples) to self-audit.
Emergency planning: Don’t underestimate this. Have fire extinguishers and smoke alarms tested, keep a written fire escape plan posted where you work with dogs, and rehearse evacuating a dog safely. Inspectors often ask “What if there’s a fire at night?” A ready answer shows responsibility.
Communicate with owners: Let your clients know about your license, rules, and contract terms. Owners who understand the processes (vaccines needed, behaviour rules, consents) can make your life easier and keep the inspector satisfied that owners agree to your methods.
By covering all these areas, you’ll meet the council’s expectations for dog welfare, safety and administration. The key is preparation and demonstrating a caring, professional approach. Address each requirement methodically, and you’ll be well-prepared to pass the licensing inspection and earn at least a 3‑star home boarding licence.
A note on licenced home dog boarding
This content is written with one clear assumption: home dog boarding is a regulated, professional service — not a casual arrangement.
Licenced home dog boarders are entrusted with dogs’ safety, routines, health, behaviour and emotional wellbeing, often within a shared home environment. That responsibility carries legal, ethical and practical weight, and requires experience, risk management, ongoing education and accountability.
Home dog boarding deserves:
Clear pricing that reflects responsibility, regulation and risk
Firm boundaries, contracts and welfare-led policies
Mutual respect between boarder and client
Recognition as skilled, licenced work — not “having a dog over”
Sustainable home boarding businesses are built on professionalism, not informality. And professionalism benefits everyone — boarders, clients and, most importantly, the dogs in their care.
About Tori Lynn C. & The Dog House
Welcome to The Dog House — my cosy corner of the TLC Canine Crusaders Business Hub. I’m Tori Lynn C., the founder of TLC Dog Walking Limited, mentor to professional dog walkers, and lifelong advocate for dogs and the people who care for them. Before building my own dog walking company, I worked as a dog trainer and held corporate roles at Pizza Hut’s Head Office in London and at PricewaterhouseCoopers, based at Embankment Place. Business, structure, and people management have been part of my life for a very long time.
With full time, hands-on experience in the dog industry since 2007, my mission is to guide you through the realities of running a successful, sustainable dog walking business — from client care and safety to wellbeing, confidence, and professional growth.
The Dog House is where I share the honest, behind-the-scenes conversations we all need: the tricky moments, the funny bits, the business lessons, and the mindset work that keeps us thriving rather than merely surviving. Whether you're just starting out or scaling up, you’ll always find support, guidance, and a friendly nudge forward here.
You’re never alone in this journey — you’re part of a community of canine crusaders.
Legal Disclaimer
The information provided on this website is for general information and educational purposes only. It is intended to support pet care professionals in understanding common legal considerations when operating a dog walking or pet care business in the UK.
This content does not constitute legal advice and should not be relied upon as a substitute for advice from a qualified solicitor or legal professional. Laws, regulations and local authority requirements may change over time and can vary depending on location and individual circumstances.
While every effort has been made to ensure the information is accurate and up to date at the time of publication, no guarantees are made regarding completeness or applicability to your specific situation.
By using this website, you acknowledge that:
✓ You are responsible for ensuring your own business complies with all relevant UK laws and local authority rules
✓ You should seek professional legal advice before drafting, using or relying on any contract or legal document
✓ The website owner accepts no liability for loss, damage or legal issues arising from the use of this information
If you are unsure about any legal obligations, contractual terms or liabilities, it is strongly recommended that you consult a solicitor experienced in small business or consumer law.
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