The UK pet business licence: what the 2018 rules mean for you

By OnlyPaw Editorial · Published 2026-03-12 · 7 min read · Filed in Business

A plain-language guide to UK pet business licensing under the 2018 regulations: home boarding, day care, breeding, and the rules that actually apply.

The Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (England) Regulations 2018 restructured the UK pet-service licensing landscape. Understanding what applies to your specific service is the difference between a legal, insurable business and a cash-hustle that will collapse the first time something goes wrong.

This is not legal advice. Confirm specifics with your local council.

The activities regulated

The 2018 regulations cover:

• Selling pet animals commercially.
• Providing or arranging for the provision of boarding for cats or dogs.
• Hiring out horses.
• Dog breeding.
• Keeping or training animals for exhibition.

For pet-service providers, the activity that matters most is "providing or arranging for the provision of boarding for cats or dogs."

What counts as boarding

"Boarding" is broader than most people expect. It includes:

• Home boarding for dogs.
• Day care for dogs.
• Cat boarding at your home.
• Kennels and catteries.

Home boarding for cats is included if you take cats into your home for paid care.

What does not count

Activities not covered by the 2018 boarding requirement:

• Dog walking (not a licensed activity).
• Pet sitting in the client's own home (drop-in visits or overnights at their house).
• Grooming (regulated separately, not under 2018 boarding rules).
• Pet taxi (regulated through animal transport rules).

The licensing process

Councils in England issue boarding licences after inspection. Common steps:

1. Application to your local council.
2. Payment of a fee (typically £150-£450 depending on council).
3. Inspection by a council officer, sometimes accompanied by a vet.
4. Assessment against welfare standards.
5. Grant of a licence with a star rating (1-5).

The star rating is public. Higher-rated providers can display it as a credibility signal.

The star rating system

The DEFRA star rating is based on two dimensions:

• Risk (low or high).
• Welfare standard (minimum or higher).

Combinations produce a rating from 1 to 5 stars. Higher ratings generally allow longer licence terms and fewer inspections.

Licence duration

• 1 or 2 star licences: 1 year typical.
• 3 star licence: up to 2 years.
• 4 or 5 star licence: up to 3 years.

Renewal is required at expiry. Failure to renew before expiry means you cannot operate.

Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland

Similar but distinct regimes apply.

• Scotland: Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (Scotland) Regulations 2021.
• Wales: 2021 Welsh regulations.
• Northern Ireland: separate regime under DAERA.

What inspectors look at

Inspection covers:

• Number of animals in care.
• Suitability of the home (space, safety, exit control).
• Feeding arrangements and separation of individual animals.
• Emergency procedures.
• Insurance in place.
• Provider training and knowledge.
• Written records.
• Compliance with the specific welfare code for your activity.

Read your council's inspection form before your inspection. The forms are typically public.

Insurance requirement

Licensing requires insurance in force. Providers should have:

• Public liability cover.
• Care-custody-control cover.
• Business use permitted in your home insurance.

Common UK providers: Cliverton, Protectivity, Petplan Business.

The animal welfare code

Each licensed activity has an associated animal welfare code. Home boarding operators must follow:

• Animal Activities Licensing: Statutory Guidance.
• Specific standards on space per dog, staffing ratios, and record-keeping.

Non-compliance found during inspection can result in downgrade or licence loss.

Records the council will want to see

Licensed operators maintain:

• Client information forms including vaccination records.
• Daily records of animals in care.
• Incident logs.
• Cleaning schedules.
• Feeding schedules.
• Emergency protocols.

Fines and penalties

Operating without a licence when one is required is an offence. Penalties can include:

• Fines of unlimited amounts (in England).
• Prohibition from operating.
• Criminal record in serious cases.
• Insurance claims denied.

Common council quirks

Councils vary in how they apply the rules.

• Some councils apply the licence threshold to "any" paid boarding activity.
• Others apply a minimum threshold (e.g. more than 4 dogs per year, or income above a threshold).
• Some require sight of a residential-neighbourhood consultation before granting a licence.
• Some restrict boarding numbers in particular residential zones.

Ask your specific council before you start.

The application timing

Applications typically take 4-12 weeks to process. Do not advertise home boarding until your licence is granted.

Dog walking, sitting, and grooming compliance

Not licensed under the 2018 regulations, but still subject to:

• General animal welfare law under the Animal Welfare Act 2006.
• HMRC self-assessment for income.
• Data protection under UK GDPR for client data.
• Insurance requirements from insurers and platforms.

The verification link

Verified providers on established platforms have their council licence on file.

OnlyPaw is a pet-services marketplace covering walking, sitting, boarding, grooming, training, and pet taxi. UK boarders upload their council licence during 24-48 hour verification. Payouts land Monday to bank transfer or PayPal, £50 minimum, 5 percent platform fee.

The one habit that avoids UK licensing trouble

Contact your council 4-6 weeks before you intend to start boarding. Ask specifically what applies.

Ten minutes on the phone saves months of trouble.

Home boarding versus dog day care

Both fall under the 2018 regulations but are licensed separately.

• Home boarding: overnight stays.
• Day care: daytime-only stays.
• Some providers hold both licences.

Requirements largely parallel each other but daytime day care has additional space and staffing standards.

Inspection preparation

Before your council inspection:

• Home clean and dog-safe throughout.
• Boarding area photographs match your application.
• Written records available (client information, insurance, vaccination verifications).
• Emergency procedures visible.
• Owner-authorised vet care documented.

A confident inspection produces a higher star rating and longer-term licence.

Ready to earn on your own terms?

Get your council licence in place before your first paid boarding booking. Set up your OnlyPaw provider profile at onlypaw.net/pages/signup-provider.html, upload your licence during verification, and get verified in 24 to 48 hours.

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