Currently in the UK there are no legal requirements for qualifications when it comes to starting a dog boarding business. However, holding a qualification will help you to build trust with pet parents.
We recommend that you get accredited or certified by relevant UK organisations such as the Pet Industry Federation (PIF). By doing this you are providing your clients a sense of security which means they are much more likely to leave their dogs with you.
You should also consider joining the National Association of Registered Pet Sitters (NARPS) for further accreditation.
Take a look at our list of dog boarding qualifications in the UK here.
Licensing Requirements
Even though there’s no requirement to be certified or to obtain professional accreditation for your dog boarding business, there IS a legal requirement to hold a licence for this type of business.
The licensing requirements vary between England and Wales and Scotland, so you’ll need to check that you’re operating in accordance with the areas that your business operates in.
You can check the requirements and apply for a licence via the links below:
England (Requirements only – Contact your local council to apply).
Wales and Scotland (Requirements and application)