Choosing boarding kennels for your dog
August 23, 2022
Since 2018, people in who run dog boarding kennels, a home boarding business, and even doggy day care must follow rules that focus on meeting the welfare needs of dogs.
Get the detail of what the law requires by reading our article below and download our ‘Ten questions’ to ask your kennel before booking your dog’s next stay.
Ask Kennels these 10 questions before you book
Dog boarding kennels
Kennels must provide a suitable environment, monitor behaviour, and keep a record of your dog’s stay – ask to see all of these.
As a minimum your dog must have:
- Their own kennel unit and sleeping area, accessible at all times.
- Sufficient space in that area for them to sit, stand at full height, lie down fully stretched out, wag their tail, walk, and turn around.
- One daily 20-minute walk outside, ideally more.
- If appropriate, room to share with another dog from your household.
- Access to enrichment through toys and games.
The better kennels will offer more and longer walks, additional enrichment facilities, and more staff interaction.
Home boarding services
Like Kennels, home boarding businesses must provide a suitable environment, monitor behaviour, and keep a record of your dog’s stay – ask to see all of these.
Your dog must be:
- Accommodated within the home.
- They should have their own room where they can get away from other dogs.
- Things that do not count as rooms include… conservatories, garages, cellars, outside building/sheds, balconies, or outside structures.
- They should get exercise that is appropriate for their age and health, with the opportunity for at least one 20-minute outdoor walk a day.
As with boarding kennels, the better the home boarding facility, the more exercise, enrichment, and interaction will be available.
Doggy day care
For a dog day care business to be fully licensed, your dog must be:
- Assessed before they can go to the day care provider to make sure they are not scared, anxious, or stressed around other dogs and people.
- Able to access an area where they can go to the toilet when they want to.
- Able to access an area where they can avoid seeing people or other dogs if they choose to.
- Have their behaviour monitored
Day care providers aspiring to even higher standards will also document the interactions your dog has with people throughout the day.
Get the ten questions you should ask every kennel
Do download our ten questions PDF and use it, along with the information above, to assess your care provider. If you feel these conditions are not being met, then we would urge you to walk away (taking your dog with you) and look for alternative dog boarding in Northamptonshire or further afield.
