Small kennels or cattery
Run a purpose-built boarding site for dogs or cats with proper facilities and staff cover.
- £15k-70k
- 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 kennels or cat units, runs and a reception area, where pets stay while owners are away.
Your first three steps
- Check planning and licensing requirements with your local council before finding a site
- Draw up a budget for buildings, fencing and insurance, and talk to local vets about referrals
- Visit established kennels or catteries to learn how they handle bookings and hygiene
Who pays
Pet owners going on holiday who want a professional, regulated boarding site.
How it makes money
A nightly fee per pet, with extras for grooming, medication and walks, and busy summer and Christmas periods.
Skills that help
- Animal care and welfare knowledge
- Managing bookings and staff
- Cleaning and routines
Watch out for
- A council boarding licence, which usually involves inspection, so check requirements early
- Planning permission or change of use for the site
- Employer's liability insurance once you hire staff
- High set-up costs and seasonal demand
- Disease control, vaccination checks and emergency plans
Deep research report · UK
Everything you need to start: small kennels or cattery
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
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to start a kennels or cattery?
Startup costs are typically around £15,000 to £70,000, depending on the site, buildings and facilities. These are estimates, and set-up costs are high, so get quotes and plan for seasonal demand before you commit.
Do I need a licence to run a boarding kennels or cattery?
Check the council boarding licence requirements early, as it usually involves an inspection. Also check planning permission or change of use for the site, employer's liability insurance once you hire staff, and disease control, vaccination checks and emergency plans.
How much can a kennels or cattery earn?
Monthly revenue is typically around £3,000 to £12,000, depending on capacity, pricing and bookings. This is an estimate of revenue, not profit. Demand is seasonal, and the estimates assume at least around 40 hours a week.
Other ways to run this business
Home-from-home dog boarding
Look after a few dogs in your own home while their owners are away, as an alternative to kennels.
- £300-1.5k
- Side hustle
- From home
Overnight pet sitter in owners' homes
Stay at clients' homes while they are away, caring for pets in their own familiar surroundings.
- £100-500
- Side hustle
- Out and about
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