Dog day care licence (England)
If you provide daytime care for other people’s dogs at premises that are not their home, as a business, you need a dog day care licence from your local council under the 2018 Regulations. Day care has its own rules, no overnight stays, and a focus on screening, supervision and safe group play. This page covers what is required and how to produce the documents to apply.
Do you need a dog day care licence?
You need a licence if you run a day care business looking after other people’s dogs in the daytime away from their home. As with all these activities, earning below the £1,000 trading allowance may be exempt, but the council decides. Day care does not allow overnight stays, that is home boarding or kennels.
What the council checks
Inspection is against the general conditions (Schedule 2) and the day care conditions (Schedule 4 Part 4), including:
- At least six square metres of space per dog, indoors and out, and an area where a dog can rest away from the others.
- Every dog screened before admittance to check it is safe in a group, with a record kept.
- Dogs supervised at all times; a crate used no longer than one hour in any eight.
- Written procedures, an emergency plan, risk assessments and a vet-agreed healthcare plan.
- A noise plan and secure premises, since day care is often near neighbours.
The documents you need to submit
You provide the application form, fee and insurance; the council expects a full written pack on top. PetApproved generates it from a short questionnaire: operating procedures, daily routine, emergency and fire plans, risk assessments, a dog screening policy and record, vaccination policy, consent set and a premises description, each citing its licence condition.
Common questions
Is day care different from home boarding?
Yes. Day care is daytime only at non-home premises with no overnight stays, and is licensed under Schedule 4 Part 4. Home boarding is overnight in your own home. The conditions and documents differ, which is why our packs are activity-specific.
Do I need planning permission for dog day care?
Often yes, because it is a commercial use of premises. Check with your council early; our submission checklist reminds you to confirm it.
Do I need a licence if I earn under £1,000 a year?
Possibly not. If your trading income stays below the HMRC £1,000 trading allowance you may not need a licence, but your local council has the final say, and earning more than £1,000 does not automatically make you a business either. If in doubt, ask your council.
What happens if I operate without a licence?
Running a licensable animal activity without a licence is a criminal offence under the 2018 Regulations, with an unlimited fine and/or up to six months in prison. It is not worth the risk.
How long does the licence last?
One, two or three years. Meeting the higher standards earns a longer licence and a higher star rating (1 to 5), which means fewer renewals and a lower long-run cost.