09/06/2026
Licensed vs unlicensed boarders!
When you're looking for a dog boarder, it's easy to focus on the things you can see:
Happy photos, reviews and price.
(For reference on pricing, a licensed home boarder charging Ā£55 per night and caring for the maximum 4 dogs allowed brings in Ā£220 per day.
Spread over 24 hours of care, that's just over Ā£9 per hour before tax, insurance, licensing fees and other business expenses. This is below minimum wage!!)
Here are some of the most important things happen behind the scenes:
- What happens if a dog becomes ill at 2am? Do they have isolation protocols?
- If you are boarding a puppy, what are their puppy operating protocols?
- What happens if there's a fire, flood, power cut or another emergency?
- How are new dogs introduced and assessed before they're accepted for boarding?
- What happens if two dogs don't get along?
- How is food stored?
- What qualifications and experience does the person caring for your dog have?
These are just a few unexciting example questions, but they're often the most important and disregarded.
As dog owners, we all want the same thing: for our dogs to be safe, comfortable and cared for as if they were our own while we're away. That's why choosing a boarding provider shouldn't just come down to who has availability.
The best dog care often looks a little boring and tediousā¦ Trial sessions. Policies. Risk assessments. Emergency plans. Cleaning protocols. Veterinary arrangements. Secure facilities.
This is what prevents problems before they happen.
A council licence doesn't guarantee perfection, but it does mean a business has had to demonstrate that it meets certain welfare and safety standards and has procedures in place to protect the dogs in its care.
Many owners don't realise that a licence isn't just a nice extraā¦it's a legal requirement for businesses providing dog boarding in England under the Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (England) Regulations 2018.
A licence means the business has been inspected by the local authority and is operating to welfare standards set out in law. It also means there is accountability and oversight.
One thing that often causes confusion is companies such as Rover.
Many owners assume that because a sitter is advertised on a large, well-known platform, they must be licensed. Unfortunately, that's not the case.
In fact, Rover's own terms state that sitters are responsible for obtaining any licences required to legally provide pet care services. In other words, Rover does not issue boarding licences and being listed on a platform is not proof that a sitter is licensed.
Before booking boarding or daycare this year, don't just ask:
āHave you got space?"
Ask:
āCan you tell me about your processes?", ācan I see proof of your license?ā (Itās a requirement for boarders to state their license number on
Social media platforms and website).
Planning ahead is essential. Most home boarders intentionally keep numbers low to provide individual care, and many will require trial sessions before adding a dog to their books. The best boarders are often fully booked months in advance, so it's worth organising your dog's holiday as early as possible.
Your dog's holiday should be planned with the same care as your own ā¤ļøš¾
I've attached a comparison guide that highlights some of the differences between licensed and unlicensed providers. It's worth a read if you're considering boarding or daycare for your dog.
