Home boarding vs kennels vs day care
When you go away, or just need your dog looked after during the working day, there are three main types of licensed care. They are licensed and inspected in different ways and suit different dogs.
The short version
| Boarding kennels | Home boarding | Day care | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Where | Purpose-built kennel blocks | The boarder's own home | A day care centre or premises |
| Overnight? | Yes | Yes | No, daytime only |
| Number of dogs | Often dozens | Usually a small number, set by the licence | Varies, set by the licence |
| Good for | Dogs happy in their own space, longer stays, secure care | Sociable dogs used to home life, nervous dogs who dislike kennels | Owners at work, young energetic dogs |
| Licence in England | All three are licensed by the council under the 2018 Regulations, inspected and given a 1 to 5 star rating | ||
Boarding kennels
A boarding kennel looks after dogs in purpose-built accommodation, usually individual or family kennels with a sleeping area and a run, plus exercise areas. Defra's guidance on boarding in kennels sets minimum standards for things like kennel size, temperature, cleanliness, exercise, isolation facilities for sick dogs and staff supervision.
Strengths: secure, built for the job, staff on site, usually more capacity for peak dates, often better suited to very long stays or dogs that do not mix well with others.
Drawbacks: some dogs find the noise and change of routine stressful; less one-to-one attention than a home.
Home boarding
A home boarder looks after your dog in their own house, as part of the household. In England, home boarding is a licensable activity in its own right, with Defra guidance covering how many dogs can be boarded, how dogs from different households are kept, the home's security, and the boarder's own dogs. Each licence sets a maximum number of dogs.
Strengths: a familiar, homely routine; more individual attention; often good for older or anxious dogs.
Drawbacks: limited places, which go quickly at peak times; your dog will share the home with the boarder's family and possibly other dogs, so it needs to be comfortable with that.
Because home boarders run their businesses from private houses, KennelCheck never shows their names or full addresses, only the area, rating and licence details from the council register.
Dog day care
Day care looks after dogs during the day, typically while owners are at work, without overnight stays. In England, day care is part of the dog boarding activity in the 2018 Regulations and has its own Defra guidance, covering supervision, grouping dogs safely, rest areas and staff ratios.
Strengths: exercise and company for dogs left alone in the day; a gentle way to get a dog used to being cared for by others before a longer stay.
Drawbacks: busy group settings do not suit every dog; it is not a solution for holidays.
What about dog sitters and walkers?
A sitter who looks after your dog in your home is not boarding it, so they generally do not need a boarding licence, and dog walking is not licensed in England. That means you will not find them on council registers, and you will need to rely on references and insurance checks instead.
How to choose
- Think about your dog's personality. Does it love other dogs, or prefer its own space? Does it cope with noise? Has it stayed away before?
- Think about the length of stay. For a long holiday, ask about routine, exercise and how they handle dogs who stop eating.
- Check the licence and rating for whichever option you choose. See how to check a kennel is licensed.
- Visit and ask questions. Use our checklist.
- Consider a trial. A day of day care or a single night's stay before a long trip lets you see how your dog copes.
You can browse licensed kennels, home boarders and day care by council, with official star ratings for England.
Quick answers
Do home boarders need a licence?
Yes. In England, anyone providing boarding for dogs in their home as a business needs a council licence under the 2018 Regulations. Councils in Scotland and Wales also license home boarding.
Is home boarding better than kennels?
Neither is better for every dog. Home boarding suits dogs that like company and a home routine; a good kennel suits dogs that are happier with their own space, need secure accommodation, or are being boarded with a lot of other dogs around.
Does dog day care need a licence?
In England, yes: day care for dogs is a licensable activity under the 2018 Regulations. Elsewhere, ask the council, as the rules differ.
Find a licensed boarder near you: search by postcode or town or browse by council.
Sources
- The Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (England) Regulations 2018 – legislation.gov.uk
- Animal activities licensing: guidance for local authorities, including the guides to boarding in kennels, home boarding and day care for dogs – Defra, GOV.UK
- Animal Boarding Establishments Act 1963 – legislation.gov.uk
Last reviewed 27 October 2026. General information, not legal advice. Rules can change, so check with your council.