Home-from-Home dog boarding

Dog owners going on holiday or away for work who prefer a home setting to kennels.

A nightly fee per dog, with extras for medication, collection and drop-off, or busy holiday periods.

• Confident handling different dogs
• Reliable and calm under pressure
• Good communication with owners

• In England, home boarding generally needs a council licence, so check with your local council. Rules differ in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland
• Insurance designed for pet boarding, as standard home or public liability policies may not cover animals in your care
• Landlord, mortgage lender or council permission to run the business from home
• Dogs that do not get along, so do trial stays and keep a record of vaccinations
• The commitment: you are on duty day and night while dogs are staying

Startup costs are typically around £300 to £1,500, depending on insurance, equipment and how you set up your home. These are estimates, so get quotes for insurance designed for pet boarding before you take your first booking.

In England, home boarding generally needs a council licence, so check with your local council. Rules differ in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Also check pet boarding insurance and any landlord, mortgage lender or council permission to run the business from home.

Monthly revenue is typically around £300 to £2,000, depending on how many dogs you take and how often. This is an estimate of revenue, not profit. Expect at least around 15 hours a week, and being on duty day and night when dogs stay.