Dog Day Care
This guide will tell you exactly what paperwork you need to submit with your application and direct you to further information you should read before your inspection.
What documents do I need to submit?
It is important that you submit all of the below documents with your application as they are mandatory requirements of the licence.
You may choose to present the documents slightly differently to how we have recommended - this is fine as long as all of the required information is clearly presented. Your policies and procedures should provide a snapshot of your business and detail how you meet all of the Licence conditions.
You must submit:
- A plan of the premises
- Insurance policy
- Standard operating procedures, including:
- Cleaning Procedures
- Feeding Procedures
- Transportation Procedures
- Prevention and control of the spread of disease procedure
- Monitoring & Ensuring Health and Welfare Procedures, covering:
- Socialisation and exercise for dogs under one year of age
- Enrichment for dogs that cannot be exercised following advice from a Vet
- Screening and addition of dogs to the group
- Emergency response plan, covering:
- Death of an animal (including storage of the carcass)
- Escape of an animal
- Fire
- Extreme weather
- Breakdown of essential systems
- Revocation/Suspension of the licence
- Emergency keyholders
- A preventative healthcare plan, covering:
- Isolation procedures
- Vaccination policy
- Details of your vet
- Disinfection
- Staff training
- This must be signed off by your Registered Vet.
- Qualifications, covering:
- Training Records
- Training Policy for any staff
- Continued Professional Development
- Owner consent form templates, covering
- Walking and use of outdoor areas with other dogs
- Walking a dog outside of the home environment
- Letting a dog off the lead
- Feeding in the same room as other dogs (if applicable)
- Housing with other dogs
- Treatment against fleas, ticks, or lice and for the potential administration of appropriate treatment by the premises’ Vet.
- The use of the premises’ toys
What else should I do to prepare for my inspection?
You should make sure you are familiar with the conditions of the licence to demonstrate how you meet them.
When we inspect, we assess your business against the Statutory Guidance that accompanies the Licensing Regulations. Please ensure you have read the Guidance for Dog Day Care here.
What is the difference between Home Boarding and Day Care?
You should make sure that the licence you are applying for is the right one.
Providing day care for dogs is defined as a business that provides care for other people’s dogs outside of the home environment – this usually relates to businesses that operate from a purpose-built or standalone facility.
Providing home boarding for dogs is defined as a business that is operated from the home of the business owner.
Businesses that care for dogs in the dog owner’s home (such as dog sitters and dog walkers) are currently exempt from the need to obtain a licence.