Leeds Dog Boarding

Discover dog boarding services in Leeds! We take a look at each one and give you the details to make an informed choice.

Benjamin BA(hons), PgCert.

6/14/20247 min read

Discover a comprehensive compilation of dog boarding facilities in Leeds, along with all the essential details you need.

Even though holidays are fun, leaving your dog behind is never easy. You may be worried that your dog misses your company.

It is important to find a reputable and secure dog boarding facility for the happiness of your dog and your peace of mind.

There are many different types of boarding options available if you plan to leave town. Check out your options to see what's best for your pet.

What is Dog Boarding?

If you're going on holiday, or if you have an emergency and you can't take your best friend with you, you might want to consider boarding your dog.

Those who do attempt to take their pets on holiday are often restricted by hotels and other restrictions. This is especially true for those with large breeds.

Sometimes, neighbours will take care of animals for people only to discover that their pet has escaped or been injured. Unsupervised dogs can injure themselves if they are left for long periods.

Boarding kennels may offer a safe and secure place for your pet while you're away or they may also provide additional services such as training classes, shipping, grooming, and selling pet supplies.

Some kennels board exotic pets such as birds, reptiles, and horses. Prices can vary depending on the services offered.

Visit the facility and observe the animals. If they seem happy and relaxed, you can decide to leave them there. You should look for animals that seem stressed.

Dogs that are stressed may shake, scratch, refuse to eat, avoid eye contact, growl or bite. Stress in cats can be seen by excessive meowing, pacing and spraying.

Selecting a Kennel

Check out this checklist to help you choose a boarding facility for your pet:

License - Do they have a current licence?
Insurance Coverage - Do they have this if your pet needs an emergency care?
Good Facilities - Are facilities dry, clean, safe, and draught free?
Exercise - Will they exercise your pet, and give it the space to act normally?
Social Contact -Will the staff spend time each day with your dog and give him the social contact he needs?
Monitoring: Do they have an appropriate system for monitoring pets during the day and at night?
Separation – They'll need separate habitats for predators and prey to avoid stress
Do they ask for proof? It is important to prevent the spread of contagious disease
Number Of Staff - Are there enough staff to care for all the animals?
Do they ask the right questions? Do they ask about their pet's health and diet?
Medical Issues - Can they accommodate any medical concerns your pet may have?
Welcome -Do you feel welcomed and do animals in their care appear clean, happy and health?
Parasite Treatments - Are all dogs and cats treated for fleas and worms?

If you are not happy with the answers to your questions, or you don't feel confident that they will be able care for your dog properly, you should keep searching for a service who is reputable until you find somewhere you like.

Prepare Your Pet For Boarding

Our vets have some top tips for keeping your pet happy and healthy when you are away.

Vaccinations All reputable boarding kennels, catteries and veterinary clinics will want to make sure that your pet is up-to date with its vaccinations. Pets that are not vaccinated will not be allowed in the boarding kennels or catteries. There is a high risk of them spreading diseases to other animals. Talk to your veterinarian about when your pet will need booster shots and make sure you get all necessary vaccinations in advance. Take your pet's current vaccination record with you when you board your pet. Do not wait until the last moment to get your pet vaccinated, in particular kennel-cough! They may have a time limit between vaccination before they accept your pet for boarding.
Medication Make sure to have enough medication for the duration of your absence. Talk to the person taking care of your pet, and give them written instructions. You'll want to let them know when to administer the medication (e.g. If it is a tablet , the best time to give it to your pet will be in the morning, evening or before eating. If you are giving your pet medication, make sure the person who is caring for them knows how to give it and what to do in case of any side effects or problems.
Contact Details: Be sure that the person who is looking after your pets has all of your veterinarian's details in case there are any emergencies. Your contact information will also be needed while you are away. Additional info such as the name, phone number and address of your hotel as well as your cell number can come in handy. If they are unable to reach you, and your pet needs to be taken to the vet for any reason, find out what their protocol is and ensure it fits your wishes.

Exercise and food: A sudden diet change can upset your pet's stomach. Give your pet more than enough food to last the entire time you will be away. Write down how much food to give and when and how much exercise the pet gets.

Home comforts: Toys and blankets that smell like home will help your pet settle in to their temporary home. Toys that they love will keep them entertained if left alone in a kennel.

Are Boarding Kennels Regulated?

All dog home boarding services require a license. All businesses are expected to meet and maintain minimum standards.

If an enterprise meets higher standards, it will be eligible for a licence valid for two or three years instead of one. The cost of the licence is reduced.

The license must be displayed at a location that is visible to the public, such as the reception or entrance area. The license holder is required to provide a list of their associated premises. The local authority must be informed of any changes made to the list within 30 days.

The license must specify the maximum number that can be boarded on the premises. Undeclared numbers can be a violation of the licence if they are not reflected by increased staffing.

Each dog in the same family must have a separate room to sleep, hide and to be separated from other dogs. It is important to do this when the owner is away. The height of the room must be sufficient for an adult to stand.

The staffing level must be sufficient to ensure that the individual needs of each dog can be met when they are boarded at home. A lack of staff cannot compromise animal welfare.

If the license holder is away for a long time, there must be at minimum one person who can supervise and care for the animal.

Each employee should be able to take care of 10 dogs at most.

Accommodation Standards

For access and security, each designated home boarding area must have a full-height door with a latching closure. All glass on the doors must be safety-glass. Doors must be closed at night.

Electric sockets and appliances should be secure.

It is important to maintain the cleanliness and condition of all interior surfaces. Interior surfaces should be as smooth, waterproof, and washable as possible. The floors must be non-slip.

It is not allowed to have any urine or standing water on the floor.

In areas where dogs may be injured, there must not be any sharp edges, projections or other hazards such as chemicals or loose cables.

To prevent dogs from escaping or being injured, doors, gates, and windows that face the exterior must be lockable, secure, and sturdy.

In case of an emergency, anyone caring for dogs must be able to access keys and key codes.

Drains should always be free of obstructions and liquids should flow directly through them. Drain covers must be designed to prevent paws and claws from getting caught.

Outdoor fencing must be rigid and strong. Dogs must not be allowed to dig underneath. The wire mesh should be at least two millimetres in thickness (British Standard welded 14 gauge mesh). The mesh size cannot be more than 50 millimetres x 75 millimetres.

Wood must be of good quality and maintained. It must be sealed and smooth to make it waterproof.

There must be a variety of resources in a communal space, such as:

Food
Water
enrichment items
Resting and sleeping areas

The number of items provided should at least be the same number as the dogs in the communal area.

All areas where dogs are allowed to go must have good lighting. If possible, this should be natural light. However, artificial lighting must also be available. Artificial light must be used for 10 to 12 daily hours.

To ensure darkness, all lights must be switched off at night.

The dogs must not be boarding outside in cages, runs or buildings.

It is essential that the home has its own entrance.

Housing is provided in two areas:

Indoors, there should be enough space to accommodate a separate sleeping area for every dog. If necessary, each dog can also have its own room.
Outdoors - direct access must be provided to an area or garden that is suitable, secure and safe, and used exclusively by the license holder.

Human Company

Dogs need human companionship. Dogs should not be left alone more than three hours per day, or at shorter intervals if necessary to ensure their safety, health and welfare. All dogs must be watched by competent and trained staff.

Animals must be separated or kept in social groups that are compatible with the species. Animals from social species cannot be separated or isolated from other animals of the same species for longer than necessary.

Feeding

The owner must discuss and agree on the dog's diet. Owners and dogs must agree on the dog's diet.

Owners must be notified if there are any concerns regarding a dog’s diet and veterinary advice should be sought.

Separation of dogs at mealtime is mandatory unless written permission has been given by the owner.

The animals' food and water must not be contaminated.

Using a Pet Sitter

If you can't find a friend or family member to look after your pet, think about getting a pet sitter. Someone who'll stay in your home to care for your pet usually works best.

Finding the right person can be a daunting task, as you want to make sure your pet (and property) is looked after properly. The National Association of Registered Pet Sitters can provide you with a list of its members.

Choosing a pet-sitter

Meet them before employing them so you're confident that they can care for your pet's needs, ask to see a copy of their DBS certificate to check that they don't have a criminal background.

Make sure that you check their references, and check that they have insurance to cover your pet in case of an emergency.

'Introductory sessions' with your pet's new carer before you go away will help them settle in for when you're on holiday, and ensure to give your pet carer all the information they need to care for your pet.