What is a council animal-boarding licence (and how do I check one?)

If a sitter says they're 'licensed', they almost always mean one specific thing: a council-issued animal-boarding licence under the Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) Regulations 2018. Here's exactly what it is and how to check it.

Who needs one

Anyone in England who, for payment, looks after dogs (or other animals) overnight in their home or in a kennel must hold one. Dog walking, day visits and drop-ins don't require this specific licence — they have their own rules and insurance norms. Wales and Scotland have similar but slightly different schemes.

What the council actually checks

Before issuing the licence the council does a physical inspection: the home or kennel, garden security, where dogs sleep, fire-safety, isolation arrangements for sick dogs, the holder's experience, and emergency planning. They also set a maximum number of dogs the holder can care for at once, and award a star rating from one to five. The whole licence is renewed every one to three years depending on the rating.

Where to find the public register

Every council in England must publish its register of licensed boarders. Search '<council name> animal licensing register' on Google — it's usually a PDF or a searchable table on the council website. It will list the trading name, postcode area, licence number and star rating. If a sitter says they're licensed but isn't on their council's list, something is wrong.

How to verify in under 60 seconds

Ask the sitter for: (1) their licence number and (2) the council that issued it. Then open that council's register and search for the number. Match the trading name. Done. If the licence isn't there, or it's expired, walk away.

Star ratings explained

Most owners assume 5 stars is 'best', but ratings reflect risk-based inspection frequency. A 3-star boarder is fully licensed and welfare-compliant — they just don't get inspected as often. A 1-star boarder is meeting minimum standards. Most experienced, established boarders sit at 4 stars. 5 stars is excellent, but '3 stars or above' is a perfectly fine threshold for most owners.