Questions to ask before booking a kennel

A short phone call and a visit will tell you more than any website. Here are the questions worth asking, grouped so you can work through them quickly. They apply to kennels, home boarders and day care alike.

The licence

1. What is your licence number, and which council issued it? Every licensed business has one. In England, the licence holder's name and licence number must be shown clearly on any website the business uses, under the general conditions in the 2018 Regulations.
2. What star rating do you have, and when does the licence expire? (England only.) Check the answer against the council register; see how to check a kennel is licensed.
3. If your rating is 1 or 2 stars, why? A 2-star rating is often just a new business. A 1-star rating means minor failings were found, so ask what has been fixed. Our star ratings guide explains the difference.
4. How many dogs are you licensed for, and how many will be here when mine is?

Where your dog will stay

5. Can I see where my dog will sleep and exercise? Ask to visit by appointment.
6. Will my dog share space with other dogs? For home boarding, ask about the boarder's own dogs and whether dogs from other families are mixed (in England this normally needs every owner's consent).
7. How is the temperature kept comfortable in hot and cold weather?
8. How secure is it? Look at fencing, gates and double-door arrangements, especially for escape artists.

Daily routine and care

9. How often, and for how long, will my dog be exercised? Is it on or off the lead, alone or in a group?
10. Can I bring my dog's own food, bed and toys?
11. Who looks after the dogs, and is someone there overnight?
12. What training or experience do staff have? Higher-rated businesses in England often have staff with formal qualifications.
13. Can you give medication, and is there a charge?
14. What do you do if a dog stops eating or seems stressed?

Health and emergencies

15. Which vaccinations do you require, including kennel cough, and how long before the stay must they be given?
16. Which vet do you use, and will you call me before treatment? Agree a spending limit in advance.
17. What happens in an emergency, such as a fire, flood or the boarder falling ill? Licensed businesses in England must have an emergency plan.
18. Do you have insurance? Ask what it covers, and check your own pet insurance too.

Booking and money

19. What does the price include, and what costs extra (collection, grooming, bank holidays)? See how much dog boarding costs.
20. What is the deposit and cancellation policy?
21. Can we do a trial day or night first?

What you are looking for during the visit

• Clean, dry, and not smelly. Some smell is normal; strong ammonia is not.
• Calm, well-supervised dogs with water available.
• A licence certificate on display. In England, a copy must be clearly and prominently displayed at the premises.
• Records: good businesses will ask you plenty of questions too, about your dog's health, habits and behaviour.

Red flags

• No licence number, or a number that does not match the council register.
• Refusing a visit, or only offering to meet in a car park.
• No questions about vaccinations.
• Far more dogs than the licence allows.

If you think someone is boarding dogs without a licence, contact the council's licensing team. You can search licensed boarders near you to start your shortlist.

Find a licensed boarder near you: search by postcode or town or browse by council.

Last reviewed 27 October 2026. General information, not legal advice. Rules can change, so check with your council.