Do you need a licence?
In England, you need a licence to provide or arrange boarding for dogs, including home boarding and dog day care, if you do it as a business. You apply to your local council, and the council sets the fee. If your trading income stays below the HMRC trading allowance, you may not need one, so ask your council if you’re unsure.
Source: gov.uk: animal boarding licence
What the council checks
- For a new licence, every minimum standard in the guidance must be met.
- The council must be satisfied the conditions are met in all of the accommodation, not just one room.
- Your records and any checklists must be available to the inspector.
Source: Defra home boarding guidance
Trial sessions
- There must be a documented trial session so dogs can get used to each other before they board, including your own dogs.
- If you board more than one dog at a time, stays longer than 3 nights need an overnight trial first.
- Only one dog can be trialled at a time, unless the dogs are from the same household.
Source: Defra home boarding guidance
Cleaning
- Dog rooms inspected at least once a day and kept clean, following a documented cleaning and disinfection procedure.
- Faeces removed from all areas at least twice a day, and more often if needed.
- Bedding changed, cleaned and disinfected between dogs.
- Disinfectants that kill viruses as well as bacteria.
Source: Defra home boarding guidance
Vaccinations
- You must see an up-to-date vaccination record for every dog, including your own.
- Current vaccinations against canine parvovirus, canine distemper, infectious canine hepatitis and leptospirosis. Kennel cough vaccination may also be required.
- Primary courses finished at least 2 weeks before boarding.
- A dog showing any signs of illness must not be accepted until it has recovered.
Source: Defra home boarding guidance
Dogs from different households
Dogs from different households may only be boarded at the same time with the written consent of every owner. Dogs from the same household need the owner’s written consent to be kept together.
Source: Defra home boarding guidance
Children at home
- If anyone under 16 lives with you, you need procedures in place to keep them and the dogs safe.
- Your risk assessment must include risks to, and from, children likely to be at the property.
- Dogs must not be boarded in a bedroom whose usual occupant is under 16.
- Your licence states the most dogs you can board, and your own dogs are considered part of that number.
Source: Defra home boarding guidance
Your emergency plan
- A written emergency plan that your council finds acceptable.
- At least one working smoke detector on each floor, and a carbon monoxide detector.
- A first aid kit suitable for dogs.
- A written policy for extreme heat, cold and bad weather.
- A plan for where the dogs would go if your home became unusable.
- A key holder within a reasonable distance, normally 30 minutes or less.
Source: Defra home boarding guidance
Your dog register
For every dog: arrival and departure dates; name, age, sex, neuter status, microchip number and breed or description; owner, emergency and local contact details; their normal vet and any insurance; medical and behaviour history, diet and any treatment; dates of their latest vaccination, worming and flea treatments; and your consent forms. Records must be kept for at least 3 years.
Source: Defra home boarding guidance
Renewals and star ratings
Licences last 1, 2 or 3 years. Businesses that meet the higher standards get a 4 or 5 star rating and a longer licence, which also lowers the cost. Your council decides your rating.
Source: Defra home boarding guidance
Day care at home
If you look after other people’s dogs in your own home, even only during the day, Defra’s dog day care guidance says this is licensed under home boarding. Defra’s separate dog day care guidance is for day care outside a home, such as on business premises, and has some different rules. Councils can differ in how they handle day-only stays at home, so check with yours.
Source: Defra dog day care guidance
Are you ready to apply?
Try our free 2-minute readiness check. Your answers stay on your screen.
Find your council
Your licence comes from your local council. Guides for some of the larger councils:
Not listed? Search your council’s name and “home boarding licence”, or start at gov.uk.
Ready to start?
When you’re ready for the paperwork, the questionnaire is free and you only pay after we’ve reviewed your answers.