Choosing dog boarding kennels and daycare

It's important to know what to look for when choosing a boarding kennel or doggy daycare for your dog so you can ensure they receive the best care possible.

New licensing kennel regulations

Since the law changed in October 2018, those running a licensed dog boarding kennel, home boarding business or doggy daycare (including people operating as part of a franchise) must now meet a new set of standards.

These regulations focus on meeting the welfare needs of dogs and ensuring they're given the enrichment and company they need while they're boarding.

Choosing a dog boarding kennel

Each kennel must provide dogs with a suitable environment, as well as ensuring that they monitor your dog's behaviour and also keep a record of your dog's stay. These are just some of the things you should check are in place for your dog when using any boarding service.

As a guideline, your dog should always have the following while staying in boarding kennels:

  • Access to their own sleeping area at all times.
  • Enough space in the kennel to allow all dogs to sit and stand at full height, lie down fully, stretch out, wag their tail, walk and turn around.
  • At least one walk a day outside their kennel.
  • Their own kennel unit, unless you've given permission for your dog to share with another dog from your household.
  • Toys to keep them occupied.

Boarders who aspire to higher standards will offer two walks per day, each lasting for at least 20 minutes.

Choosing dog home boarding

Licensed home boarding businesses must provide a suitable environment, monitor your dog's behaviour and keep comprehensive records.

Your dog must be:

  • Accommodated within the home and have their own room where they can be kept separate from other dogs if needed. Rooms don't include conservatories, garages, cellars, outside buildings/sheds, balconies or outside structures.
  • Exercised at least once a day and as appropriate for their age and health.

As with boarding kennels, home boarders aspiring to even higher standards will provide your dog with two walks per day and for a minimum of 20 minutes.

Choosing a doggy daycare

All dog daycare businesses, including people operating as part of a franchise, are now required to monitor all dog behaviour, company and the environment in which they're cared for.

For a dog daycare to be fully licensed, in their care, your dog must be:

  • Assessed before they can go to the daycare provider to make sure they're not scared, anxious or stressed around other dogs and people.
  • Able to access a toilet area where they can go to the toilet when they want to.
  • Able to access a safe space where they can avoid seeing people or other dogs if they choose to.

Daycare providers aspiring to even higher standards will also document the interactions your dog has with people throughout the day.

As always, if you feel that these conditions aren't being met, we urge you to walk away (taking your dog with you) and file a report to the kennel's local council. You can visit CGSG to find out more about how your dog should be looked after while in dog daycare.

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