What kennel star ratings mean
If you have looked at kennels in England, you have probably seen a star rating from 1 to 5. Those stars are not reviews. They are awarded by the council's licensing inspector, and they follow a fixed national system. Here is how it works and what it does and does not tell you.
Where the stars come from
Since 1 October 2018, anyone in England who boards dogs or cats as a business, including kennels, catteries, home boarders and dog day care, needs a licence under the Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (England) Regulations 2018. Before granting or renewing a licence, the council inspects the premises. The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) then tells councils, in statutory guidance, exactly how to turn that inspection into a star rating.
The rating is printed on the licence, and many councils publish it on their public register. That register is where KennelCheck gets its ratings.
The two questions behind every rating
The inspector asks two separate questions.
- What welfare standards does the business meet? There are three levels: minor failings (an existing business falling short of some minimum standards, but not in a way that harms animal welfare), minimum standards (everything the law requires), and higher standards (optional extra standards set out in Defra's guidance for each activity, such as more space, enrichment or staff training).
- Is the business low risk or higher risk? This mostly reflects its track record: how long it has operated and how well it has complied with the rules in the past.
The scoring matrix
Defra's guidance combines those two answers into this table:
| Minor failings | Minimum standards | Higher standards | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Low risk | 1 star, 1-year licence | 3 stars, 2-year licence | 5 stars, 3-year licence |
| Higher risk | 1 star, 1-year licence | 2 stars, 1-year licence | 4 stars, 2-year licence |
Each rating also sets how long the licence lasts and how often the council must make an unannounced visit: at least once during a 1-year licence, once within 24 months for a 2-year licence and once within 36 months for a 3-year licence.
What each rating tells you
5 stars
The business meets the higher welfare standards and has a good compliance record. It gets the longest licence, three years.
4 stars
The business meets the higher standards but is classed as higher risk, often because it is new or has a shorter track record.
3 stars
Low risk and meeting every legal minimum standard. This is a perfectly respectable rating. It means the business has chosen not to, or has not yet been assessed as meeting, the optional higher standards.
2 stars
Meets the minimum standards but is judged higher risk. Defra's guidance says a new business without a compliance history should be treated as higher risk, so many new businesses start on 2 stars (or 4 if they already meet the higher standards) even when they are well run.
1 star
An existing business with minor failings against the minimum standards. Defra says these failings must not compromise animal welfare (if they did, the licence should be refused, suspended or revoked) and that a 1-star licence is meant to give the business time to put things right. It should not normally be issued for more than a year. If you are considering a 1-star business, ask what the failings were and what has changed since.
What a star rating does not tell you
- It is not a customer review. It says nothing about friendliness, price or how your particular dog will settle.
- It is a snapshot. It reflects the last inspection. A business can ask for a re-inspection after making improvements, and can appeal a rating, so check the council's register for the latest position.
- It compares like with like only roughly. Higher standards differ between kennels, home boarding and day care, because each activity has its own Defra guidance.
- It only exists in England. Scotland and Wales license boarding under different law with no star scheme. See our guide to Scotland and Wales.
How to use ratings sensibly
Treat the rating as a floor, not a guarantee. A 5-star kennel has shown the council it goes beyond the legal minimum; a 3-star kennel meets the law. Either can be the right choice. What matters most is that the licence is current, the rating on the licence matches what the business tells you, and you are happy after visiting. Our checklist of questions to ask before booking covers the rest, and how to check a kennel is licensed shows you how to confirm the rating yourself.
On KennelCheck, each listing shows the council star rating exactly as published on the council's own register, with the licence number, expiry date and a link to the source. No business can pay to change its rating.
Quick answers
Is a 3-star kennel bad?
No. Three stars means the business meets all the legal minimum welfare standards and is judged low risk. Many good, well-run kennels hold three stars.
Why would a new kennel have 2 stars?
Defra guidance treats a business without a compliance track record as higher risk, so a new business meeting the minimum standards usually gets 2 stars until it has a history of compliance.
Do star ratings apply in Scotland and Wales?
No. The 1 to 5 star system comes from the English 2018 Regulations. Boarding in Scotland and Wales is licensed under different law that does not award stars.
Can a business change its rating?
Yes. A business can appeal its rating or ask the council for a re-inspection once it has made improvements, so ratings can change before a licence is renewed.
Find a licensed boarder near you: search by postcode or town or browse by council.
Sources
Last reviewed 27 October 2026. General information, not legal advice. Rules can change, so check with your council.