The Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (England) Regulations 2018 Schedule 4 covers the boarding of dogs.
You may need a dog boarding licence if you provide accommodation for other people’s dogs as a commercial business. This includes dog kennel boarding and home boarding. The activity may also include businesses that arrange accommodation for other people’s dogs.
This page should be used by applicants who provide overnight boarding for dogs. Dog day care, where dogs are not kept overnight, can find be found on our dog day care page.
Which dog boarding activity applies to you?
| Activity | Use this where | Important distinction |
| Kennel boarding | Dogs are boarded overnight in kennels or a kennel-style commercial boarding environment. | Day care without overnight accommodation should be treated as dog day care, not kennel boarding. |
| Home boarding | Dogs are boarded overnight inside a domestic home. | Home boarding is not the same as dog sitting in the dog’s normal place of residence. |
Before you apply
Before making an application, please read the relevant statutory guidance and prepare any documents, records and policies needed for your boarding activity. If you provide both kennel boarding and home boarding, make sure the correct requirements are considered for each part of the business.
- consider using our dog boarding checklist to self audit that you have all required policies and procedures
- read the statutory guidance for dog kennel boarding and/or home boarding
- prepare written procedures for cleaning, disease control, transport, monitoring, emergencies and animal care
- make sure vaccination, veterinary, medication and training records are available for inspection
- check that your website displays the licence holder’s name and licence number once licensed
- review consent arrangements, particularly for home boarding, feeding, exercise, social contact and emergency veterinary care
Apply for a licence
Use our animal welfare licence application form to apply. The application does not currently have a save draft function, so you should have the information and documents you need ready before starting the application.
We aim to determine new licence applications within 10 weeks of receiving a complete application. Some applications may take longer where further information is needed or where an inspection is difficult to arrange. Existing licence holders should apply to renew at least 10 weeks before the current licence expires.
Apply for Animal Welfare Licence
Inspection
Dog boarding premises will be inspected as part of the application and renewal process. Applicants should review the relevant statutory guidance and activity-specific documents before inspection. The inspection will consider whether the premises, staffing, records and procedures meet the relevant welfare standards and licence conditions.
Please bear in mind that we will star rate your premises on the day of the inspection, those items furnished to the council after the inspection and not available on the premises during the inspection will NOT be taken into account for star rating purposes.
Guidance and useful information
| Item | Summary |
| Dog kennel boarding statutory guidance | Use for kennel boarding businesses that provide overnight accommodation for dogs. |
| Home boarding for dogs statutory guidance | Use for businesses providing day and overnight boarding for dogs inside a domestic home. |
| North Devon Council Animal Licensing Policy | Explains local interpretation and implementation of the Regulations and statutory guidance. |
| Code of Practice for the Welfare of Dogs | General welfare code relevant to dog boarding operators. |
| Cleaning protocols for home boarding, day care and kennel management | Useful for cleaning and infection control procedures. |
| Guidance for handling dogs and use of equipment | Useful for safe handling and welfare of dogs during boarding activities. |
| Zoonoses guidance from GOV.UK and HSE | Useful for infection control procedures where diseases can pass between animals and humans. |
| Children and public safety guidance from HSE | Useful where children, visitors or members of the public may be affected by the activity. |
| Licensed Kennel and Cattery Association | Useful sector information for boarding operators. |
Checklists, templates and records
Dog boarding documents
- Checklist for dog home boarders
- Example policies and procedures – home boarding
- Consent Form – home boarding
- Example risk assessment for children in home boarders
Standard documents required by most licence holders
- Preventative healthcare plan template and guidance notes
- Medication record
- Training policy and staff training record
- Isolation facilities template letter to be completed by veterinary practice
- Nominated veterinary practice form
Key dog boarding rules to highlight
- dog boarding activities require a licence where carried out as a commercial business
- licence holders must keep required records available for inspection and retain them for at least 3 years from creation.
- the licence must state the number of dogs permitted for the activity at the premises.
- dogs must be kept in a suitable environment, with appropriate space, temperature, ventilation, lighting, hygiene and opportunities for toileting and exercise.
- written procedures should cover matters including feeding, cleaning, transport, prevention and control of disease, monitoring, emergencies, escape and death of an animal
- home boarding should take place inside a domestic home and cats must be boarded under a cat boarding licence
Zoonoses and infection control
Zoonoses are infections that can pass between animals and humans. Exhibition businesses should consider zoonoses as part of their infection control procedures. We suggest that you examine the list on the Zoonoses - HSE page and consider all those infections relevant to your business. Particular care should be taken where multiple species are exhibited or where animals have direct contact with members of the public.
Fees, star ratings and licence duration
Fees are payable for the grant and renewal of a licence, variations, inspections and other matters where applicable. Dog boarding licences are subject to the animal activity star rating system. Licences may be issued for one, two or three years depending on the star rating and risk assessment. New applicants are generally issued with a one-year licence initially because there is no compliance history available.
If you are unsure whether you need a licence
If you are unsure whether your dog boarding activity requires a licence, please contact the Licensing team before you apply. We can advise on whether the activity appears to fall within the licensing regime and whether kennel boarding, home boarding or dog day care is the most appropriate category.