13/06/2026
Please take note of this.
So many unlicensed businesses out there.
🐾 🐾
It’s that time of year again, where I share this post. There are quite a few unlicensed boarders springing up again, so please, please ensure the safety and wellbeing of your beloved pet is paramount.
Caring for someone’s pet isn’t a side hustle or little venture, it’s a serious activity and an honour to be entrusted with providing love and guardianship of your beloved animals.
A licensed boarder has to display their license number on their social media and website page as a condition of their license. Aswell as having their certificate displayed on their premises (it’s in the post, is not sufficient).
Please ensure your boarder is licensed, I understand it’s an extra expense on your holiday, and finding a boarder with space can be difficult. However with these points and more, it’s worth it for our beloved pets.
Anyone who receives money to have a pet stay in their property needs to be licensed.
Also, we get a lot of messages saying ‘a family member/ friend has let me down at the last minute’, a licensed boarder will not. Please remember that you’re also paying for their time and commitment, and the following points, and more, when booking 🙏 👇🏻.
🐶 Inspected premises by local council utilising an intensive inspection proforma. (My first inspection, and paperwork check lasted nearly four hours).
🦇 Fully secured premises and garden (usually with a ‘two gate to freedom’ policy
♥️ Subject to random unannounced visits
🦊 Regulated number of dogs allowed
🐔 Restrictions on numbers walked
🛌 cleaning routines
🤗 Pet friendly cleaning products
🐕 Correct storage of chemicals
🐮 FULLY insured (no license = invalidated insurance)
👽 Will provide their own dog ID tags/collar
🐨 A maintained register of all 🐕 visitors
🪿 Daily recorded health checks
🪲 Daily recorded exercise plan
🦄 Risk assessments in place
🐝 Pet first aid trained
🏃♀️ Agreed enrichment plans to suit YOUR dog
🐳 On site first aid kits
🦀 Will have a nominated emergency vet
🦖 Restrictions on time dogs can be left alone.
🐗 HMRC registered
🦉Good hygiene practices
🐛 Has an emergency key holder who has access to pet details
🐜 Has an emergency escape plan
🐞 Keeps and maintains basic fire fighting equipment
🐥 Has experience in providing sympathetic care to homesick dogs (which can sometimes mean staying up all night).
🐴 DBS checked.
📖 Usually has completed dog training course and or has qualifications.
🎃 An electronic copy of in-date vaccinations
🏥 Isolation facilities and procedures
🛑 A separation plan for all dogs in their care, so ALL dogs can have ‘time out’, in an emergency or just for their own wellbeing
🦑 Will be visible, on your local council list
🪼 Inspected pet safe vehicles
📝 Has a trial night and written pass or fail to assess if the dog is suitable/comfortable with the boarder
🕸️ Procedures on separating unruly dogs
🐣 Recognises dog behaviour patterns
🐌 loves wine, chocolates and gifts 🤭
https://www.plymouth.gov.uk/animal-activities-licence-register
