Planning a trip away, or just need someone to care for your pet? As much as we’d love to take our pets everywhere, sometimes that’s not possible. Luckily, three popular options offer care while you’re away: kennels and catteries, home boarders and pet sitters. But which is the right fit for you and your pet?
Home boarding
Home boarders welcome dogs into their own homes, offering a more relaxed environment. This setup often suits pets who thrive on routine and are used to home comforts, but where it is not possible to find someone to provide this in your home.
Some benefits of home boarders:
- Small group settings – less stress for nervous pets
- Personalised attention and familiar routines
- Often offer more flexible drop-off and pick-up times
Things to consider before choosing a home boarder:
- Your pet must get along with other dogs and resident pets
- Availability can be limited during peak season, so planning in advance is key
If someone is caring for dogs in their own home as a business, they must be licensed by their local council under the Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) Regulations 2018. Licences are normally valid for 1 to 3 years depending on the local council. It is always worth checking the star rating and license status of any home boarder you are thinking of using.
Key licensing conditions include:
- Suitable accommodation and hygiene standards
- Adequate food, bedding, and exercise routines
- Emergency plans (e.g. fire safety)
- Staff must be trained in animal welfare and first aid
- Records of dogs boarded must be kept for at least 3 years
All licensed establishments will be included on the Council’s website, so that is the best place to start your search for a home boarder that would suit your pet.
Please note that someone who offers home boarding for cats would be required to follow the same rules as catteries, so they have been included in that section of our article.
House and pet sitters
Pet sitters move into your home while you are away. This option provides someone to look after your home as well as your pet(s).
Some benefits of a house/pet sitter:
- Your house won’t appear vacant, helping deter potential break-ins
- Garden or indoor plants get the care they need if you arrange for this additional service
- Pets stay in their familiar environment with their routines largely unchanged
- One-on-one attention reduces stress compared to kennels or catteries
- Sitters often provide updates, giving you peace of mind and a few adorable photos
Things to consider when booking a house/pet sitter:
- Your pet’s specific needs including behavioural quirks, daily routines including medications, walking and feeding
- House rules: smoking policies, guest guidelines and any areas in your house which are off limits to the sitter
- Leaving a house manual for the sitter, including everything there is to know about your house and your pets
- The security of allowing someone to move into your home while you are away
- Whether they are a full-time pet sitter, or have another job which means certain times your pet will be alone at home
- House and pet sitters are not regulated in the same way kennels/catteries and home boarders are, so you must do more due diligence
A sitter can be a great choice for some people; however, you must make sure that they are the right person for you. We would strongly recommend getting references and word of mouth recommendations, as you are opening your home to them while you are away.
Kennels and catteries
Kennels and catteries are professional facilities designed specifically for pet care. While they may feel more formal, they’re equipped to handle a variety of breeds and temperaments.
Some benefits of kennel/cattery facilities:
- Staff are often trained in canine care and pet first aid (always check as each establishment’s training will vary)
- Secure spaces for your dogs to be exercised and consistent supervision
- Group play and enrichment activities for your dogs
Things to consider when booking or choosing a kennel or cattery:
- Less one-on-one attention than at a home boarder
- The kennel/cattery environment might not be suitable for all dogs and cats; some more nervous pets may find it overwhelming
Kennels and catteries operating as a business must be licensed by the local council under the Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) Regulations 2018.
Licensing conditions include:
- Clean, secure, and well-maintained facilities
- Adequate staffing
- Daily routines for feeding, exercise, and interaction
- Emergency procedures and veterinary care plans
- Record-keeping for all dogs and cats boarded
Again, all licensed establishments will be included on the Council’s website, so that is the best place to start your search for a kennels or cattery that would suit your pet.
Vaccination requirements
It is usually required as part of the licensing that animal care establishments including home boarders request proof that dogs are up to date with their annual vaccinations including kennel cough, and cats are up to date with their annual vaccination. They should ask for this information upon booking to ensure you meet the requirements for your pet to stay there, and if they are not then this will hopefully leave sufficient time to bring them up to date.
Given your pet will be mixing with animals from other homes, it is very important that they are up to date with their vaccinations. We would recommend carefully vetting your establishment of choice to make sure they do enforce these requirements so you can be assured of your pet’s safety while they are staying there.
Insurance
All home boarders, kennels and catteries must be insured with at least Public Liability Insurance as a requirement of licensing. We would recommend asking to see their proof of insurance and licensing before booking in with them. Pet sitters are not regulated in the same way so are not required to hold this type of insurance, but we would recommend seeking one who does, as it protects them from financial risk if they cause injury or property damage to a third party while working. If your pet sitter does not hold this type of insurance, it can be harder to sort any financial disputes that arise in these situations.
There are also other types of insurance you may want the establishment or person looking after your pet to hold. These are not a requirement, but can offer additional financial protection if anything does happen to your pet while they are under their care:
- Professional indemnity insurance: this covers the home boarder/kennels in the event you need to claim against them for loss or damage due to negligent advice or services. If they do not hold this type of insurance, even if your claim has merit, it can be very difficult to receive any monies owed as a result.
- Care, custody and control of animals: this covers situations like accidental injury to your pet or loss due to theft or straying while under the establishment or pet sitter’s care and is sometimes called ‘non-negligent’ cover. This can cover veterinary fees, advertising and reward money, etc., although it will vary depending on the terms of their policy. This is important for you as a pet owner because if an accident were to happen to your pet and negligence was not involved, you are more likely to be able to recoup some of these resulting costs if they hold this type of insurance, otherwise, in most cases, you will need to cover it yourself, whether that is paying it out of pocket or claiming on your pet insurance.
As a reminder, this is not legal advice but is intended as a jumping off point for your own research when looking for someone to care for your pet.
Visits
We would strongly recommend visiting the home boarder, kennels or cattery before leaving your pet with them as this will give you a chance to check the boarding environment and get a feel for the people who will be involved in your pet’s care. It will also allow you to see if the facility is going to be suited to your pet, and it is okay if you feel like it won’t be the right environment for them. You may even want to arrange a short stay there (overnight or a weekend) before going away for a longer period so your pet can become familiar with the environment before being there for a longer stretch.
Similarly, we would recommend having the pet sitter attend your home a few times before they stay there to learn where everything is and also get the chance to meet your pets and start to let your pets get to know the sitter.
Which of the above is the best option will depend on your pet’s personality, needs and your peace of mind. Always do your research to make sure the option you choose will be suitable for your pet. It’s best to plan far ahead – the peak holiday times can be booked up quite quickly, and finding a last-minute stay at any time of year can be challenging.
Call us on 01435 864422 if you need to let your vet know that you will be away and who will be caring for your pets.
