Now is the time of year when people all over the country are planning their time away, either soon to get away from the cold or in the summer to escape the rain. Dog owners are no exception. The difference is that you have the extra consideration of how to ensure your dog’s welfare while you are away. Taking the dog with you is not always an option, especially if you are off to exotic locations abroad.
You might send your pets on their own holidays to boarding kennels. You do so with confidence knowing that all such establishments are licensed by the local authority and are subject to regular inspection by its officers.
There are people who will take your dog into their own home and look after it for you while you are away. They may only take one or two dogs at a time and charge a modest fee. Your pet enjoys a normal domestic situation. You may well prefer such an arrangement. You may indeed be one of those people yourself.
Whether you are a home dog boarder yourself or a potential customer, you should be aware that anyone who provides home boarding for even one dog at a time requires a licence from the local authority just like a Boarding Kennels. The requirements are less stringent but they will be breaking the law if they operate without a licence.
Our animal welfare contact tells us that there seems to be little awareness of this among those affected. Quite apart from the law there is another important factor to this. Many home boarders who do not yet have a licence have done the sensible thing and arranged insurance to cover their activity. What many insurance companies do not tell them is that without the licence their insurance cover is invalid!
That matters a great deal to both boarder and customer should harm befall a dog being boarded or indeed be caused by a dog in those circumstances. By not having a licence the boarder has given their insurer the perfect reason to refuse any claim.
So, if you are a home boarder and you haven’t obtained a licence yet, talk to your local council. Animal welfare usually comes under Environmental Services or whatever your LA calls it. If you are considering using such a service, do check that the person is licensed before you book.
The licence requirement for home boarders only applies to dogs, not cats, which might be of interest if you own both as many people do. It also does not apply to the situation where you leave your dog at home and get someone, usually a friend or relation for obvious reasons, to move into your home whilst you are away to look after it.
This article was provided by Freelance Copywriter UK, Pete Hopper of Write For You.

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Temporary Care For Your Dog
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