20/08/2026
š¶Planning to use dog boarding or day care? Make sure theyāre licensed.
Weāre reminding residents to check that dog boarding or day care provider holds a valid licence before leaving their pet in their care.
In England, commercial dog boarding and dog day care businesses must be licensed under the Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (England) Regulations 2018. This also includes play sessions where the owner is not present for the duration of that session.
Licensed businesses are inspected and must meet welfare standards covering accommodation, supervision, staffing, disease control, emergency planning, veterinary care and record keeping.
Before you book, ask to see:
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Their current animal activity licence.
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The licence star rating and expiry date.
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Visit the premises and ask about where the dog will be kept.
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Details of staffing, supervision and emergency procedures.
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Ensure their dog's vaccination and health records are up to date.
If youāre concerned about an unlicensed business, or about the welfare of animals at a licensed establishment, please contact our Licensing Team:
š§ [email protected]
š§ [email protected]
Check our register of Animal Activity Licences:https://orlo.uk/oMA6H