Under the new animal welfare bill, all people who provide "home boarding" will need to be lisenced.  I think its long overdue, wonder how many will keep doing it?
Dawn.

What's home boarding?

Its when people pay others to look after their dogs in the other persons home.
Dawn.

What about friends and family? I don't know anything about it but it sounds like it might be difficult to regulate.

You don't generally charge family and friends though ...do you? ;)

No, but isn't that the get out clause?  People would just claim to be friends?

Where I live - Bournemouth - it always has been licensed. I have just applied for & received my 4th license.
DaisyM

I wonder if this would also apply to professional dog walkers ?

What happens if one of your puppy owners asks if you would look after the pup/older dog for a week while they go on holiday, I do this quite often, dont charge, but they usually leave chocs or something else as a thank you? I would imagine quite a few breeders have done this in the past, I dont have kennels.

I have done this in the past too. I can see that we are all going to be caught up in the new changes. Like yourself I do not take payment so maybe we shall be ok. I agree that people who do this for money should be registered, insured etc.  But I have a feeling it will effect the good neighbour who may look after a friends dog and take payment for food etc.  I guess we all need to read it through thoroughly.

Anyone who takes payment of whatever form for caring for a dog or cat that is not their own, on the property of the carer is "boarding" that pet for its owner.  They should (IMO) be subject to checks like anyone else.  They should have insurance, and NOT only 3rd party that does NOT cover the animal.  They should be inspected to make sure they provide a safe, clean environment for the pets they take on.
Dawn.

Dawn,

have you got a link to the actual bill where this is stated?

http://www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/welfare/bill/secondary.htm

Dog and cat boarding

Animal boarding establishments should continue to be licensed. Regulations will clarify the position on home boarders of dogs, but commercial home boarding of cats is considered to be unacceptable.
Licences will run for no more than 3 years on a risk managed basis
Local Authorities will issue licences and will have powers to inspect, and to withhold or revoke licences

We had loads of stuff through from the Pet care trust who have campaigned for this for a long time, we have also read about it the trade magazine for kennels and catteries.  If I can get hold of actual wording I will put it up here for everyone to see.  There was also info in this weeks dog paper.
Dawn.

Thank you Dawn :)