Home boarding licence in Birmingham

Start with Birmingham City Council

Birmingham City Council’s animal boarding licence page includes home dog boarding. At the time of writing (October 2026), it suggests discussing your plans with its Senior Animal Welfare Officer first, then applying online or with its downloadable form.

Go to Birmingham City Council’s licensing page

Council processes, forms and fees change, so always check the council’s own page. We’re not connected to Birmingham City Council.

What Defra’s guidance asks for

Defra publishes guidance for councils in England on home boarding licences. A few of the main points:

• A written emergency plan, including where the dogs would go if your home became unusable.
• A vet you’re registered with, and a preventative healthcare plan agreed with them.
• Written procedures for feeding, cleaning, transport, disease prevention, monitoring health and welfare, and what you’d do if a dog died or escaped.
• A documented trial session so dogs can get used to each other, including your own dogs, before they board.
• A register for every dog, with records kept for at least 3 years.

See our free help page for more, or try the free readiness check.

Source: Defra home boarding guidance

Need the paperwork for your Birmingham application?

We write draft licence packs for home boarders across England, built around your own home, dogs and routine. Tell us in the questionnaire that you’re applying to Birmingham City Council, and we’ll check your pack against its published checklist where we can get one. See a sample pack.