Wrexham Council’s Public Protection service is warning residents about the use of unlicensed dog boarding facilities, such as kennels. If you use an unlicensed service you are putting the safety and happiness of your pet at risk.
It’s becoming increasingly common to see social media posts advertising cheap and convenient dog boarding services, but they often come from unlicensed individuals who don’t meet the necessary standards of care.
A licenced boarder will have important protocols in place to ensure that your dog receives proper care, including appropriate feeding, exercise, and living conditions. Regular inspections help to ensure these standards are consistently met.
Licensed boarders are required to have comprehensive insurance, covering accidents, injuries, or illnesses that might occur while your dog is in their care. Unlicensed boarders can’t obtain this insurance, which will leave you vulnerable if something goes wrong.
Without these standards and protocols in place your dog could be at risk of neglect and vulnerable to illness, disease or in some cases even death.
Licensed boarders will also have made adjustments to their property to ensure they meet health and safety standards, including having secure fencing. Unlicensed boarders often lack these safeguards, which can lead to loss or theft of your dog.
Cllr Hugh Jones, Lead Member for Public Protection, said: “All dog boarding whether commercial kennels, or home based, must be licensed by the local authority to make sure they comply with legal standards relating to the welfare of the animals being looked after.
“It has come to our attention that some establishments are advertising as ‘licensed’ when in fact this is not the case. We will always investigate instances where boarding establishments do not comply with the law.”
How to check
If you’re looking for pet boarding you should make sure the premises holds the correct licence. You can check this by emailing contact-us@wrexham.gov.uk.
Anyone carrying out this activity without the correct licence in place should be aware they are committing an offence and may be liable to prosecution.
Further information regarding how to apply for a license and the conditions needed to obtain one can be found on our animal boarding page.
