What to Look for When Choosing a Home Boarder for Your Dog

17th June 2025

At Petpals, we understand just how important it is to know your dog will be happy, safe, and well cared for in your absence. As part of a leading UK pet care franchise, we pride ourselves on providing high-quality, loving ‘at home’ boarding services that meet all UK legislation and best practice standards. Here’s our expert advice on what to look for when choosing a home boarder for your dog.

✅ 1. Licensing and Compliance

First things first: any legitimate home boarder in England & Wales must be licensed by their local council. (Scotland has different requirements) This ensures they’ve met strict welfare, safety, and hygiene standards. Ask to see their license and check that it’s up to date. At Petpals Darlington, all our home boarders are fully licensed and regularly inspected, giving you peace of mind that your dog is in safe, professional hands.

🏡 2. A Homely Environment

Your dog should feel like part of the family and home boarding should be just that: a home-from-home experience. Visit the premises beforehand to see where your dog will eat, sleep, and play. Look for clean, safe, and comfortable surroundings, and be sure your dog will have access to both indoor and outdoor space.

🐶 3. Tailored to Your Dog’s Needs

Every dog is different. Some love cuddles on the sofa, others need space and structure. A good home boarder will take time to understand your dog’s personality, routine, diet, and exercise needs. We carefully match dogs with our experienced boarders and offer personalised care that reflects your dog’s lifestyle – from daily walks to medication routines.

👩‍⚕️ 4. Experience and Training

Caring for dogs isn’t just about loving them (although that’s important too!). A quality home boarder will have experience in canine behaviour, with a deep understanding of dog care and welfare as well as knowing how to handle emergencies. Our home boarding team receive regular training and are all first aid trained. We have secured providing 24 hour access to veterinary support and house calls to our boarding team if required.

💬 5. Communication and Transparency

You should feel informed and reassured throughout your dog’s stay. A great home boarder will offer updates, photos, and clear communication about how your dog is doing. At Petpals, we love sending our clients regular updates and complete a detailed daily record of every stay – it’s all part of our commitment to providing a caring, connected service.

🤝 6. The Meet & Greet

Before committing, arrange a meet and greet. This gives your dog a chance to meet their boarder in a relaxed setting and helps everyone feel more confident about the upcoming stay. We always organise meet and greets before confirming bookings to ensure we have a good fit for both dog and carer.

Choosing the right home boarder is all about trust, comfort, and quality care. At Petpals, we’re proud to offer a home-from-home service that dogs (and their humans) love. We treat your pets as if they were our own – with kindness, patience, and the very best standards in pet care.

Looking for reliable, professional home boarding in Darlington? Get in touch today to find out more!

Oh and our Darlington Borough Council Licence is DL/24/00315/AN6LIC