To the best of my knowledge and my understanding of the Boarding Establishment Act 1963 the following applies. (Not the actual wording but meaning)

Anyone who is thinking about leaving their pet in care whilst on holiday please take note (UK only), any person or organisation offering to look after your dog/cat as a business in THEIR own home/premises could be considered to be boarding, and therefore MUST be Licenced by the local council and display the licence in the home/premises where the animal is boarded at, under the Boarding Establishment Act of 1963.
The premises must be inspected annually by the local environmental health officer for that area for the licence to be approved and issued.
If any service or person or person acting as an agent for a service offering to board your dog/cat on THEIR own premises for financial gain does NOT have the appropriate licence for that premises then under the Boading Establishment Act, your dog/cat could be at risk of being removed and placed in care such as the RSPCA then you will have to prove ownership and then pay to get your pet out, and that person/service risks prosecution.
Although these are not the actual words of the said act, all Boarding Establishments for dogs/cats under the Act must be approved and licenced by the appropriate licencing authority and failure to obtain said licence for the purpose of boarding is deemed an offence under the act.

I think you will find All Boarding Kennels /Catteries comply with the above and the said licence will be displayed in the reception area. Make sure the licence is displayed and current for that year where ever you leave you dog /cat

Therefore before placing your dog/cat in someones premises for a fee, please make sure the premises is licenced and if for any reason they cannot produce the licence as required under the Boarding Establishment Act then steer well clear no matter what excuse or reason they give for not having one.

Hope is helpful especially to those who are new to boarding for the first time and considering leaving their pets in care whilst on holiday etc.

Bazza