Boarding kennels with purpose-built runs

Run a licensed kennel site with proper runs, caring for many dogs at once.

Dogs rest in clean kennel runs at a dog boarding facility.

Startup cost£25k to £120k

Monthly revenue£3k to £15k

Time needed40+ h/week

First incomeMonths

£25k-120k
Full-time
Own premises
Licence or permit needed

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

What it is

A dedicated site with indoor and outdoor runs, an isolation area and exercise paddocks. It usually needs land, planning permission and staff for daily care.

Your first three steps

Check with your local council about planning permission and the boarding licence before buying or renting land
Visit well-run kennels, price up the build or fit-out, and draft a simple budget and business plan
Arrange a vet relationship, insurance and a booking system, and consider working in an existing kennel first

Who pays

Dog owners going on holiday or away for work, plus those needing short-notice or longer stays.

How it makes money

Nightly fees per dog, with add-ons such as grooming, extra play time and collection. Income follows the holiday seasons, so plan for quieter months.

Skills that help

Experience handling many dogs at once
Managing staff, rotas and bookings
Basic animal first aid and hygiene routines

Watch out for

A council licence is generally needed, with inspections, so check what your council requires
Planning permission and possible noise or neighbour objections
Employer's liability insurance once you hire staff, plus public liability and boarding cover
High fixed costs and seasonal demand, which can make cash flow tight
Disease outbreaks, so check vaccination requirements and isolation procedures

Deep research report · UK

Everything you need to start: boarding kennels with purpose-built runs

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 start a boarding kennels?

Startup costs are typically estimated at around £25,000 to £120,000, depending on the land or site, how many runs you build, isolation and exercise areas, and your staffing and insurance. High fixed costs can make cash flow tight.

How much can a boarding kennels earn?

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around £3,000 to £15,000, depending on how many dogs you board and for how long. Demand is seasonal, so income can vary through the year.

What rules should I check before opening a kennels?

Check what licence your council requires, including inspections, and whether you need planning permission. Also check vaccination requirements and isolation procedures, possible neighbour noise objections, and employer's liability, public liability and boarding insurance once you hire staff.