FAQ — boarding licences

Do dog groomers need a licence?

No — commercial dog grooming is not a licensable activity under the 2018 Regulations. Only boarding (kennels, catteries, home boarding, day-care), selling animals, breeding and hiring out horses are licensable.

How much does boarding licensing cost the business?

Councils set their own fees (application + inspection + renewal). We do not publish fee figures because they vary per council and change — check your council's licensing page.

What is the difference between a kennel and home boarding?

Kennels/catteries are commercial premises purpose-built for animals; home boarding means dogs or cats stay in the licence-holder's own home. Both need the same type of Animal Activities Licence.

Can a boarder look after my dog without a licence?

No. Anyone boarding other people's dogs or cats for money in England needs a licence from their council. A one-off, unpaid favour for a friend is not a licensable activity.

How often are licensed premises inspected?

Inspection frequency depends on the star rating and licence length — higher-rated, lower-risk premises go longer between inspections. The council's rating and expiry date are shown in the register.

My council isn't listed — why?

Wave 1 reproduces councils that publish machine-readable open data (retrieved ${TODAY}). Councils that keep registers only in PDF, on request, or not at all are planned for later waves via direct requests.