Suitable environment

Housing that’s the right size, temperature, lighting, ventilation and humidity; safe, secure and clean; dogs from different households kept apart unless consented.

Suitable diet

A documented feeding plan; fresh water always available; diet appropriate to each dog’s needs.

Monitoring behaviour & welfare

Dogs checked at suitable intervals; an enrichment/exercise routine; the “five welfare needs” met at all times.

Records

Up-to-date daily records for every dog: owner & emergency contact, vet details, feeding, exercise, medication, arrival/departure, any incident.

Registered vet & healthcare plan

A named registered vet, and a written preventative healthcare plan agreed with them and actually followed.

Isolation facilities

A way to separate and care for a sick, injured or infectious dog away from the others.

Emergencies

A written fire and emergency evacuation plan, working fire detection, and procedures everyone on site knows.

Staffing & competence

Enough trained staff for the number of dogs; the licence holder/manager and staff must be able to recognise normal behaviour and signs of pain, illness or distress (see qualifications).

Insurance

Public liability insurance — and, for boarding, “care, custody & control” cover for the animals you look after.

Minimum (1-star)

The licence holder/manager (and staff caring for dogs) must evidence competence — typically an Ofqual-regulated Level 2 Award in Canine Care & Welfare, plus a Level 2 Award in First Aid for Dogs.

Higher standard (4–5 star)

At least one full-time member of staff holds a relevant Ofqual Level 3 qualification in dog boarding / canine care & behaviour.

Ongoing

Continuing professional development (CPD) records for staff, and refreshed canine first aid.

Council licence fee

≈ £200–£600. Often split into an application/grant fee + an annual fee. Set by each council — confirm the exact figure on their page.

Vet inspection fee

≈ £50–£200+. Many councils require (and you pay) a vet to attend the inspection; some bundle it into the licence fee.

Qualifications

Level 2 ≈ £150–£400 · Level 3 ≈ £400–£900 · canine first aid ≈ £50–£150 (one-off, per person).

Insurance

≈ £100–£300/yr for public liability + care, custody & control cover.

Premises improvements

Variable — from a few hundred pounds (fire alarm, isolation pen, signage, record system) to several thousand (kennel build, fencing, drainage, heating).

England

Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (England) Regulations 2018 — star ratings, 1–3-year licences.

Wales

Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (Wales) Regulations 2021 — similar star-rating system.

Scotland

Licensing of Activities Involving Animals (Scotland) Regulations 2021/2024 — licensed by your council; conditions broadly equivalent.

Northern Ireland

Boarding establishments are licensed by your district council (Welfare of Animals Act (NI) 2011 / Animal Boarding Establishments).