0 Protection from pain, suffering, injury and disease
9.1 Written procedures must:
(a) be in place and implemented covering
(iv) the prevention of, and control of the spread of, disease
(v) monitoring and ensuring the health and welfare of all the animals
(vi) the death or escape of an animal (including the storage of carcasses)
(b) be in place covering the care of the animals following the suspension or revocation of the licence or during and following an emergency
The procedures must show how the facility will meet these conditions.
9.2 All people responsible for the care of the animals must be made fully aware of these procedures.
9.3 Appropriate isolation, in separate self-contained facilities, must be available for the care of sick, injured or potentially infectious animals.
The licence holder must be observant and watch for any signs of illness when receiving a new dog at the premises. An animal showing any signs of illness must not be accepted for boarding until it has recovered. The owner must be told as soon as possible if any illness develops while the dog is home boarding.
The facility must be able to isolate sick or injured dogs, or those that might be carrying serious infectious diseases.
If the isolation facility is at another location, such as a local veterinary practice, the licence holder must be able to show evidence that this is ready to use (for example, a letter from the practice).
All staff must understand the procedures to prevent the spread of infectious disease between infected animals and the other dogs.
If infectious disease is present on the whole premises:
Dogs showing signs of infectious disease must not be allowed in any shared outside exercise area.
Protective clothing and footwear must be worn when handling dogs in the isolation facility, and correct sanitation rules must be followed. Separate feeding and water bowls, bedding and cleaning utensils must be stored in the isolation facility ready for immediate use.
Staff must check on dogs in isolation at least as often as other dogs. Unless a separate person is looking after them, dogs in isolation must be checked after all other dogs.
9.4 All reasonable precautions must be taken to prevent and control the spread among animals and people of infectious disease, pathogens and parasites.
An up-to-date veterinary vaccination record must be seen to show that dogs, including resident dogs, have current vaccinations against:
Vaccination against other diseases such as kennel cough (bordetella bronchiseptica or canine parainfluenza virus) may be required.
A vet certificate of a recent protective titre test may be accepted instead of a booster vaccination. The certificate must state that it is valid for the current period. It is up to the licence holder whether to accept such a certificate.
Primary vaccination courses must be completed at least 2 weeks before acceptance into boarding.
Vaccines used must be licensed for use in the UK. Homeopathic vaccination is not acceptable.
If there is evidence of external parasites such as fleas, ticks or lice, the dog must be treated with an appropriate product authorised by the Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) and licensed for use in the UK. Treatment must be discussed with a vet before giving it to the dog. The owner must consent to this.
9.5 All excreta and soiled bedding for disposal must be stored and disposed of in a hygienic manner and in accordance with any relevant legislation.
Dog waste and soiled bedding must be put in a clearly marked bin. This must be emptied either daily or when full, whichever is sooner. Dog waste must be removed in accordance with the documented cleaning and disinfection procedure.
All dog waste must be stored away from areas where animals or food are kept.
9.6 Sick or injured animals must receive prompt attention from a vet or, in the case of fish, an appropriately competent person and the advice of that vet or, in the case of fish, that competent person must be followed.
If the facility’s trained first aider suspects that a dog is ill or injured, a vet must be contacted immediately. Any instructions for treatment must be recorded. If there is an ongoing concern, the facility must seek veterinary advice.
9.7 Where necessary, animals must receive preventative treatment by an appropriately competent person.
Any treatment must have consent of the owner and direction from a vet.
9.8 The licence holder must register with a vet with an appropriate level of experience in the health and welfare requirements of any animals specified in the licence and the contact details of that vet must be readily available to all staff on the premises used for the licensable activity.
The vet’s details must be displayed where they can be easily seen by all staff members.
This must the include:
The dog owner and licence holder must agree which vet will be used. This decision must be recorded.
9.9 Prescribed medicines must be stored safely and securely to safeguard against unauthorised access, at the correct temperature, and used in accordance with the instructions of the vet.
All courses of treatment must be completed following the vet’s instructions.
Unused medications must be returned to the owner or prescribing vet.
Medicines must be stored in a fridge at the correct temperature, where needed.
9.10 Medicines other than prescribed medicines must be stored, used and disposed of in accordance with the instructions of the manufacturer or vet.
Medicine must only be used:
9.11 Cleaning products must be suitable, safe and effective against pathogens that pose a risk to the animals. They must be used, stored and disposed of in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions and used in a way which prevents distress or suffering of the animals.
Cleaning and disinfection products must be used as per the manufacturer’s instructions. Disinfectant products must kill viruses as well as bacteria. Those using cleaning products must be competent in the safe use of detergents and fluids. Cleaning products must be kept entirely out of the reach of animals.
Standing water must not be allowed to accumulate. This is to avoid pathogens that live in moist environments.
Grooming equipment must be kept clean and in good repair. If provided by the owner, it must only be used on their dog and must be sent home with the dog.
Toys must be cleaned and disinfected after play or disposed of. If provided by the owner they must be sent home with the dog.
Any equipment that has been used on an infectious or suspected infectious animal must be cleaned and disinfected after use, or be disposed of.
9.12 No person may euthanise an animal except a vet or a person who has been authorised by a vet as competent for such purpose or:
(a) in the case of fish, a person who is competent for such purpose
(b) in the case of horses, a person who is competent, and who holds a licence or certificate, for such purpose
(c) a person who has been authorised by a vet as competent for such purpose
Only a vet may euthanise a dog. The licence holder must keep a record of all euthanasia, and the identity of the qualified vet that carried it out. The owner or designated main point of contact must be contacted to give consent. Unless essential for the welfare of the dog, euthanasia must not take place without consent.
9.13 All animals must be checked at least once daily or more regularly as necessary to check for any signs of pain, suffering, injury, disease or abnormal behaviour. Vulnerable animals must be checked more frequently.
9.14 Any signs of pain, suffering, injury, disease or abnormal behaviour must be recorded and the advice and further advice (if necessary) of a vet (or in the case of fish, of an appropriately competent person) must be sought and followed.
Records and any checklists must be made available to inspectors.
Presence or absence of faeces and urine must be monitored daily. Anything unusual must be recorded and acted upon.
10.1 A written emergency plan, acceptable to the local authority, must be in place, known and available to all the people on the premises used for the licensable activity, and followed where necessary to ensure appropriate steps are taken to protect all the people and animals on the premises in case of fire or in case of breakdowns for essential heating, ventilation and aeration or filtration systems or other emergencies.
Entrances and fire exits must be clear of obstructions at all times.
Suitable firefighting, prevention and detection equipment must be provided and maintained in good working order. All buildings must have at least one working smoke detector (or other suitable fire detection system) installed in a suitable location on each separate level or floor of the property. There must be at least one carbon monoxide detector.
A first aid kit suitable for treatment of dogs must be kept on site.
There must be a plan to house the dogs should the premises become uninhabitable.
There must be a written policy in place for dealing with emergencies, including extremes of hot and cold temperatures and abnormal weather conditions.
All electrical installations must be installed by a qualified person and maintained in a safe condition. They should be placed where they do not present a risk.
All equipment must be maintained, kept in good repair and serviced according to manufacturer’s guidelines.
10.2 The plan must include details of the emergency measures to be taken for the extrication of the animals should the premises become uninhabitable and an emergency telephone list that includes the fire service and police.
10.3 External doors and gates must be lockable.
10.4 A designated key holder with access to all animal areas must at all times be within reasonable travel distance of the premises and available to attend in an emergency.
There must be a designated person available for emergencies.
A reasonable travel distance would, in normal conditions, be 30 minutes or less.
0 Use, number and type of animal
3.1 No animals or types of animal other than those animals and types of animal specified in the licence may be used in relation to the relevant licensable activity.
This licence applies only to providing home boarding for dogs. If you are concerned about the welfare of other animals then you should inform the relevant person in the local authority, the police or a relevant animal welfare organisation.
3.2 The number of animals kept for the activity at any time must not exceed the maximum that is reasonable taking into account the facilities and staffing on any premises used for the licensable activity.
The licence must state the maximum number of dogs that can be home boarded at the premises. Undeclared numbers are a breach of the licence, especially if they’re not reflected in increased staffing levels.
Each dog from the same family unit must have access to a room where it can sleep, go to hide, and be kept separate from other dogs. This is especially important when the proprietor is absent. Rooms must be high enough for a human adult to stand in.
Dogs must not be home boarded in:
Hallways and bathrooms can be used as designated rooms as long as the other conditions in this guidance can be met, such as space requirements, temperature and ventilation.
If a barrier is used to divide a designated room, this can be used as multiple spaces as long as each space meets the conditions in this guidance.
Dividing barriers must be:
Each divided space must have a floor area of at least 6 square metres.
Other dogs in the household should be considered as part of the number of dogs that can be reasonably cared for under a home boarding licence.
Bathrooms, hallways and partitioned rooms are not used as designated rooms.
4.1 Sufficient numbers of people who are competent for the purpose must be available to provide a level of care that ensures that the welfare needs of all the animals are met.
Staffing levels must ensure that each dog’s individual welfare needs can be fully met when home boarded. Animal welfare requirements must not be compromised by a lack of staff.
There must be at least one competent person to help with care and supervision if the licence holder is absent for an extended period.
Each member of staff should have 10 dogs or less to care for.
4.2 The licence holder or a designated manager and any staff employed to care for the animals must have competence to identify the normal behaviour of the species for which they are caring and to recognise signs of, and take appropriate measures to mitigate or prevent, pain, suffering, injury, disease or abnormal behaviour.
Staff must be trained in:
There must be a record of all staff training.
Staff must either:
Where no accredited training course exists for an activity, other evidence of training must be provided, such as industry generated courses.
Staff who have taken an Ofqual regulated qualification must show that they have progressed with their study in a 12 month period, and must complete the qualification within 2 years.
4.3 The licence holder must provide and ensure the implementation of a written training policy for all staff.
The training policy must be reviewed and updated annually, and must include:
This applies to all staff including the licence holder.
Staff participation can be shown by:
Evidence of staff attendance or completion of the training must be provided.
There must be at least one full-time member of staff per 8 dogs.
There must be a member of permanent, full-time staff with an appropriate Ofqual regulated Level 3 qualification.
5.1 All areas, equipment and appliances that animals can access must present minimal risks of injury, illness and escape.
They must be constructed in materials that are:
The home must be well maintained and in good repair. Internal doors should open inwards to avoid dogs getting out and opening onto people. Where this is not possible, a safety procedure must be in place.
Each designated home boarding room must have a latch-closing, full height door for access and security. Any glass in the door must be safety glass. The doors must be shut at night.
Electrical sockets and appliances must be safe and secure.
All interior surfaces that dogs can access must be cleaned regularly and kept in good repair. Wherever possible, interior surfaces must be smooth, waterproof and washable. Floors must be non-slip.
There must be no standing water from cleaning, or urine on floors.
There must be no sharp or rough edges, projections, or other hazards, such as chemicals and loose cables in areas where dogs could get hurt.
Doors, gates and windows to the outside must be secure, lockable and robust to avoid dogs escaping, damaging them or getting hurt.
Anyone caring for the dogs must have access to keys and any key codes in case of emergency.
Drains must always be clear and fluids run directly into them. Drain covers should be safe so they do not trap paws or claws.
Outdoor fencing should be strong and rigid. A dog must not be able to dig under it. Any wire mesh must be at least 2 millimetres thick (British Standard 14 gauge welded mesh). The mesh size must be less than 50 millimetres by 75 millimetres.
Any wood must be good quality and well maintained. It should be smooth and sealed to make it waterproof.
Damaged wood must be over-clad or sealed.
Any outdoor timber that dogs may come into contact with must be treated against rot with non-toxic products, such as fence posts.
5.2 Animals must be kept at all times in an environment suitable to their species and condition (including health status and age) with respect to:
(b) its situation, space, air quality, cleanliness and temperature
(c) the water quality (where relevant)
Dogs must not be kept in areas where the temperature may cause them distress. Sleeping conditions should be between 10°C and 26°C.
Dogs must be checked to see if they are too hot or too cold. If a dog is showing signs of discomfort, steps must be taken for its welfare. A dog must be able to move away from a direct source of heat.
Inside areas must be well ventilated to avoid excess humidity and be draught-free.
Heaters and electrical equipment must not be placed where they could burn, electrocute or give an electric shock to a dog or human. They must not be placed where they can start a fire. Open fires and wood burners must have fire guards in place.
Dogs must not be exposed to excessive noise.
5.3 Staff must ensure that the animals are kept clean and comfortable.
There must be sufficient clean resting places to provide comfort and warmth for every dog.
Dogs should have a grooming and health check regime agreed with the owner, such as wiping weepy eyes or avoiding long fur from matting. Attention must be paid to the dog’s coat, teeth, ears and nails, and a check for parasites.
5.4 Where appropriate for the species, a toileting area and opportunities for toileting must be provided.
Dogs must have regular opportunities during the day for toileting in an outside secure area or as part of its exercise. Each dog’s individual needs should be taken into account.
5.5 Procedures must be in place to make sure housing and any equipment is cleaned as often as necessary and good hygiene standards are maintained. The housing must be capable of being thoroughly cleaned and disinfected.
Designated rooms must be inspected at least once a day and kept clean, in accordance with the documented cleaning and disinfection procedure.
Dogs must be moved from the area while it is being cleaned.
Faeces must be removed from all areas at least twice a day, but as often as necessary.
Where a pest problem is identified, a control programme must be implemented.
5.6 The animals must be transported and handled in a manner (including for example in relation to housing, temperature, ventilation and frequency) that protects them from pain, suffering, injury and disease.
The licence holder must demonstrate that a suitable vehicle is available to transport the dogs. It does not have to be owned by the licence holder. Transport must comply with any existing legal requirements.
During transport, dogs must be restrained using a dog crate, transport harness or dog guard. Dog crates need to be large enough so that the dog can stand, lie down and turn around freely inside. Crates must be well ventilated and firmly secured. Dogs should be out of direct sunlight and away from heating vents.
Vehicles must be regularly cleaned and disinfected.
Dogs must not be left in vehicles for unreasonable periods. They must never be left unattended in a car or other vehicle where the temperature may risk the comfort and safety of the dog. The driver must think about whether it is necessary to transport dogs when the temperature poses a risk to the health of the dog.
Journeys must include sufficient breaks for water, food and toileting.
If the business includes a collection and delivery service, dogs must be on a lead outside the vehicle to stop them escaping.
Dogs must be transported to vet facilities in an appropriate manner for their condition and without further suffering. Vet advice on the condition of the animal and suitability for transport should be sought before transport.
5.7 All the animals must be easily accessible to staff and for inspection. There must be sufficient light for the staff to work effectively and observe the animals.
There must be good light in all areas of the facility where the dogs can go. Where practicable this must be natural light, but artificial light must be available. Where artificial lights are used, there must be 10 to 12 hours of it daily.
Lights must be turned off at night to provide a period of darkness.
5.8 All resources must be provided in such a way (for example, as regards frequency, location, access points) that minimises competitive behaviour or the dominance of individual animals.
In a communal area, there must be multiple resources such as:
The number of each item provided should be at least the same as the number of dogs in any communal area.
Dogs must be monitored carefully especially at feeding times.
5.9 The animals must not be left unattended in any situation or for any period of time that is likely to cause them distress.
Dogs must have human company. They must not be routinely left alone for more than 3 hours in a 24 hour period, or shorter intervals as necessary for the individual health, safety and welfare of an individual dog. All dogs should be observed by trained and competent staff.
Ventilation must be a managed, fixed or portable, air system to maintain temperatures in all weathers. This can be an air conditioning unit or removable fans installed safely away from animals.
There must be a designated other person or member of staff who can cover any emergency, so that the dogs are never left alone.
6.1 The animals must be provided with a suitable diet in terms of quality, quantity and frequency. Any new feeds must be introduced gradually to allow the animals to adjust to them.
Adult dogs must be fed at least once per day according to the individual dog’s needs. Their diet must be discussed and agreed with the owner.
If there are concerns about a dog’s diet the owners must be informed and veterinary advice sought.
Dogs must be separated at feeding time unless the owner has allowed this by written consent.
6.2 Feed and (where appropriate) water intake must be monitored, and any problems recorded and addressed.
Dogs must be monitored and if they refuse to eat for longer than 24 hours, veterinary advice must be sought.
The amount of water a dog drinks must be checked. The owner must be told if the dog is drinking too much or not enough.
The general condition of all long stay dogs must be monitored and dogs displaying significant weight loss or gain, must be checked by a vet and treated as necessary.
The facility must follow veterinary advice when feeding debilitated, underweight or ill dogs, or those with specific diets.
6.3 Feed and drinking water provided to the animals must be unspoiled and free from contamination.
Food bowls should be emptied and cleaned following feeding so that food, particularly wet food, is not left out until the next feeding time.
The facility must have fridges available to store dog food. Food must be stored away from vermin and in cool and dry places.
6.4 Feed and drinking receptacles must be capable of being cleaned and disinfected, or disposable.
The equipment used to serve food or drink to the dogs must be:
6.5 Constant access to fresh, clean drinking water must be provided in a suitable receptacle for the species that requires it.
Dogs must have fresh, clean drinking water daily. The container must be clean and changed or refreshed as often as necessary.
There must be multiple water bowls. All dogs must have easy access to water.
6.6 Where feed is prepared at the premises, there must be hygienic facilities for its preparation including a working surface, hot and cold running water and storage.
There must be a separate hand wash basin with hot and cold water for staff to wash their hands. This needs to be connected to a drainage system.
Soap and hygienic hand drying facilities must also be available.
The food preparation area must be kept clean and free from vermin at all times.
Bowls or similar containers for a dog’s food and drink must not be used for any other purpose.
Penalties for failing to have a dog boarding licence
Given the high standards required to care for animals in the UK, and be responsible for their health and welfare, especially when doing so for profit, the penalties for breaking the law can be severe. You could be liable to an unlimited fine and/or be sent to prison for 6 months if you unlawfully provide or arrange boarding for dogs without a licence.
You can also be heavily penalised for breaching the conditions of any licence obtained, and may be banned from running an animal boarding establishment. Additionally, the council will take a very dim view of anyone trying to hinder or delay an inspection, or failing to cooperate, where this, of itself, could result in your dog boarding licence being revoked.
However, if the council would like to re-inspect your premises and the inspection does not meet the conditions required, you will often be issued with a compliance notice and a revisit will be carried out before any other action is taken against you.
For anyone already operating a dog boarding business without a licence, legal advice should be sought immediately. To be able to continue operating, you will also need to contact the local council, although this does not necessarily mean that you will be instantly prosecuted. However, it is possible that the council will require you to stop boarding whilst they assess any application from you for a dog boarding licence.
How I Started My Own Home Dog Boarding Business!
Animal welfare in the UK is forever improving. From 1st October 2018 all businesses offering dog boarding, home boarding or doggy day care services need to be licensed. Why do I need a dog boarding license? If you want to avoid a fine, you need to be properly licensed to offer any animal boarding services. It doesn’t matter if you run a boarding kennels or if you look after other people’s dogs in your own home, from October 2018 UK law says you MUST have a license. The regulations apply to boarding kennels, boarding catteries, caring for other people’s dogs in your own home, dog day care, pet sales and dog breeding. The penalty for either failing to have appropriate licence or not following licence conditions is a fine of up to £500 or a 3 month prison sentence. From a business marketing point of view, the dog boarding license is invaluable. It reassures pet owners that your business is reputable and that you can be trusted to keep their dogs safe and happy whilst they are staying with you. Where do I get a dog boarding license from? Contact your local authority. They will be able to guide you through the process, carry out an inspection and issue you with the appropriate license. Apply for a license here What will the licensing authority look for? The inspectors look for a number of things including (but not limited to)
All businesses will be given a star rating according to how well they meet the standards of animal welfare. If you achieve a 4 or 5 star rating you may qualify for a longer licence (2 or 3 years rather than one year). And of course that 5 star rating will show potential customers that your business is reliable and responsible. Do I need any formal qualifications to look after dogs in my home? Having at least one staff member with a formal qualification will certainly help fast-track your business to that all-important 5 star rating. The licensing inspectors need to know that you truly understand what dogs need and that you can keep them safe and happy in any circumstances. Nothing demonstrates that better than the nationally recognized OFQUAL Level 3 Qualification . The OFQUAL regulated Level 3 qualification covers everything aspect of the licensing requirement and more. With this qualification to your name you are showing the inspectors – and any potential customers – that you are the right person to be caring for dogs. PS: It’s also helpful if the people you employ have the qualification too. The higher standard licence (4 or 5 star) asks for a qualified person to be on the premises during the day. If there are more than one of you, you’re covered for holidays, sick days etc. Where can I study for dog boarding qualifications? The Institute of Modern Dog Trainers IMDT offers a distance learning course. You can study at home and in your own time. All in all it involves around 60 hours of study. So if you study for around 7.5 hours per week, you can earn your qualification in around two months. But it’s ok to complete the work sooner. Naturally, you will be supported throughout by one of the IMDT’s excellent tutors. To find out more, click on the link below or contact the IMDT team. Find out more about the OFQUAL Level 3 qualification Visit the gov.uk website to find out more about animal boarding licenses Read the animal boarding licensing regulations here