The DogBusiness Resource Hub
Practical, authoritative content for UK dog care professionals — from licensing and compliance to pricing and operations.
Applying for a dog day care licence? Learn what documents and operating procedures you need to pass your Local Authority council inspection.
Professional dog walking in the UK is not defined by licensing. It is defined by control, welfare, safety, legal awareness, and trust. Here is what that means in practice.
Yes, but only under strict legal conditions. Here is what dog walkers need to know about exempted XL Bullies, insurance, and the records they should keep.
A complete pricing guide for UK dog day care businesses. Covers current market rates, DEFRA compliance costs, staff costs, and how to set day care fees that are competitive and profitable in 2026.
A complete pricing guide for UK dog home boarding businesses. Covers current market rates, cost analysis, pricing by location and star rating, and how to set fees that are fair, competitive, and profitable in 2026.
The complete guide to dog day care licence costs in the UK. Covers DEFRA Animal Activity Licence fees, council variations, star-rating system, and how to budget for your day care licence application in 2026.
The definitive guide to dog home boarding licence costs in the UK. Covers council application fees, veterinary inspection costs, star-rating system savings, and how to budget for your Animal Activity Licence (AAL) in 2026.
Pet pop-ins and pet sitting are often seen as lower-risk than dog walking. They are usually lower exposure. But they still carry real responsibilities.
Starting a dog walking business in the UK does not require a licence. But it does require structure, insurance, and the right documentation from day one.
Livestock, roads, and off-lead dogs are the three most serious real-world risks for professional dog walkers. Here is how to manage them properly.
A risk assessment for dog walking is not just paperwork. It is how you demonstrate that you have thought through the risks and have a plan to manage them.
There is no fixed national limit on how many dogs you can walk at once. But that does not mean there are no limits. Here is how it actually works.
There is no legal requirement to hold insurance as a dog walker in the UK. But operating without it is reckless. Here is what cover you need.
Dog walking is not nationally licensed in the UK. But that does not mean there are no rules. Here is what you actually need to know.
A risk assessment is not just a form. For licensed dog home boarders, it is part of how you demonstrate safe and responsible operation.
Insurance for dog home boarding is not optional. Here is what cover you need, what the different policy types mean, and what to look for.
The Animal Activity Licensing framework sets minimum and higher standards for dog home boarding. Understanding the difference affects your star rating and your business.
If your dog home boarding licence application has been refused or you are worried it might be, here are the most common reasons and how to address them.
There is no single national number. The limit depends on your licence, your property, and your local council. Here is how it actually works.
What inspectors look for when they visit a dog home boarding business in England. A practical checklist covering space, safety, records, and welfare.
Dog home boarding in England requires a licence from your local council under the Animal Activity Licensing regulations. Here is what you need to know.
