Dog day care centre with premises

Run a dedicated day care site with secure play areas, taking larger numbers of dogs with a small team.

Group of dogs playing together in a bright indoor daycare room.

Startup cost£30k to £120k

Monthly revenue£3k to £15k

Time needed40+ h/week

First incomeMonths

£30k-120k
Full-time
Own premises
Licence or permit needed

Estimates for a small start in the UK, not guarantees.

Official data

2,437 UK companies in this field, 16% registered in the last 2 years

SIC 01629 “Support activities for animal production (other than farm animal boarding and care) n.e.c.”. Source: Companies House, November 2026.

What it is

A purpose-built or converted unit or barn with indoor and outdoor play areas, rest space and trained staff looking after dogs for the day.

Your first three steps

Research local demand and prices, then find a suitable unit or farm building and check planning use with the council
Apply for any council licence needed and arrange insurance before taking any dogs
Fit secure fencing, double-gated entry and separate play areas, then recruit a trained helper

Who pays

Working owners in your area, including those needing full-time weekday care, often alongside optional extras like grooming or transport.

How it makes money

Daily or half-day fees per dog, weekly packages and add-ons such as pick-up and drop-off. Staff, rent and insurance are the main costs.

Skills that help

Experience handling groups of dogs
Managing staff and rotas
Organised with bookings and records

Watch out for

Check with your council about planning permission and an animal activities licence, as requirements vary
Fit-out costs for a converted unit (fencing, flooring, noise insulation, kennels or rest areas, heating and ventilation) can be high, so get quotes before signing a lease
Employer's liability insurance once you hire staff, plus public liability and animal-care cover
Noise, which may affect neighbours and nearby units
Rent, rates and staffing costs, so make sure bookings cover them before you commit to a lease
Vaccination checks, dog temperament assessments and clear emergency procedures

Deep research report · UK

Everything you need to start: dog day care centre with premises

Researched with live web search for United Kingdom: real startup prices, the licences and rules, what others charge, a break-even example, how to find your first customers and a 30-day launch plan. With sources.

Startup costs with real prices
Licences, registration and rules
Pricing: what others charge
Break-even example
Finding your first customers
30-day launch plan
Risks and how to reduce them

Ready in about 2 minutes · one-off payment, tax included

See a full sample report

Questions people ask

How much does it cost to open a dog day care centre?

Estimates are typically around £30,000 to £120,000, depending on the unit, fit-out and lease. Fencing, flooring, noise insulation, rest areas, heating and ventilation can be costly, so get quotes before signing a lease.

How much can a dog day care centre make?

Monthly revenue estimates are typically around £3,000 to £15,000, depending on dog numbers, prices and extras like grooming or transport. Rent, rates and staffing come out of that, so check bookings cover them.

What rules should I check before opening a dog day care?

Check with your council about planning permission and an animal activities licence, as requirements vary. Also check employer's liability once you hire, public liability and animal-care cover, noise for neighbours, vaccination checks, temperament assessments and emergency procedures.