Is dog boarding regulated in the UK?

Yes. In England, anyone boarding dogs commercially for more than 14 days in a 12-month period must hold an Animal Activity Licence issued by their local council. The Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) Regulations 2018 set the welfare standards. Scotland and Wales operate similar but distinct frameworks.

How do I find my local council’s licence register?

Search your council’s website for "Animal Activity Licensing register" or "dog boarding licence". Many councils publish a downloadable CSV or PDF. Our database aggregates published council registers — search any operator by name on this site to see their verified licence status.

How to Check Whether a Dog Boarder Is Licensed

In England, anyone who boards dogs commercially for more than 14 days in a 12-month period must hold an Animal Activity Licence. You can verify this through your local council's public register. This guide explains how to find the right register and what to look for.

Why licensing matters

Operating without a licence is a criminal offence under the Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) Regulations 2018. Licensed operators are inspected against welfare standards covering space, temperature, emergency procedures, and record-keeping.

Find the council register

Each local authority maintains its own register of licensed operators. Search your council's website for "Animal Activity Licensing register" or "dog boarding licence". Many councils publish a downloadable list in CSV or PDF format.

If the operator is not on their stated council's register, ask them to provide their licence number and verify it directly with the licensing authority.

Use our search tool

Our database aggregates published council registers. Search for the operator by name or town to see their verified licence status, star rating, and the date we last checked.

Red flags to watch for

Be cautious if an operator cannot tell you their licence number, if their listing appears only on a booking platform with no council match, or if they have a star rating that differs from what the council register shows.

Frequently asked questions

Is dog boarding regulated in the UK?: Yes. In England, anyone boarding dogs commercially for more than 14 days in a 12-month period must hold an Animal Activity Licence issued by their local council. The Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) Regulations 2018 set the welfare standards. Scotland and Wales operate similar but distinct frameworks.
What happens if a dog boarder is unlicensed?: Operating an unlicensed dog boarding business is a criminal offence under the 2018 regulations. Unlicensed operators are not inspected against welfare standards covering space, temperature, emergency procedures, or record-keeping. We strongly recommend booking only with licensed operators whose status you can verify.
How do I find my local council’s licence register?: Search your council’s website for "Animal Activity Licensing register" or "dog boarding licence". Many councils publish a downloadable CSV or PDF. Our database aggregates published council registers — search any operator by name on this site to see their verified licence status.