Why UK Authorities Recommend NarpsUK for Home Dog Boarders

If you’re a home dog boarding professional in the UK, you may have heard your local authority licensing office or environmental health officer suggest joining NarpsUK (The National Association of Registered Pet Sitters and Dog Walkers). But why do they recommend it?

With the UK’s strict animal welfare regulations under the Animal Welfare Act 2006 and the Animal Activities Licensing (AAL) Regulations 2018, local councils want to ensure that all pet sitting and dog walking business operators meet high standards. Here’s why they often point home dog boarders toward NarpsUK.

1. Ensuring Compliance with Licensing Laws

Home dog boarders need to acquire a dog boarding license from their local council, and the application can be demanding. Licensing officers are looking for evidence that borders:

• Understand the Animal Welfare Regulations UK
• Have the right pet sitter insurance
• Keep proper records
• Follow safety and hygiene procedures

NarpsUK provides resources, templates, and guidelines to help boarders meet these dog boarding licensing requirements with ease. By joining, home dog boarders can ensure they are following pet care professional standards, making the licensing process smoother.

2. Comprehensive Training and Professional Development

Local authorities prefer boarders who show an understanding of pet care, behaviour, and welfare. NarpsUK provides pet sitter training courses and educational materials on subjects such as:

• Canine behaviour and first aid
• Safe transportation and handling
• Emergency measures
• Home dog boarding best practices

When licensing officers view a boarder as a member of NarpsUK, they know that the person is dedicated to continuing professional development in the pet-sitting industry.

3. Insurance and Legal Protection

One of the key requirements for obtaining a dog boarding license is having the correct home dog boarding insurance. NarpsUK membership includes discounted pet sitter insurance options tailored for pet sitters and dog boarders, covering:

• Public liability
• Care, custody, and control of animals
• Property damage
• Key loss

For licensing officers, a well-insured boarder means less risk—for the dogs, the boarder, and the general public.

4. Model Policies and Procedures

NarpsUK provides members with ready-to-use business templates, including:

• Home boarding contracts
• Emergency contact forms
• Risk assessment templates
• Client information forms

These records keep pet sitters organized, professional, and compliant—just what licensing officers want to see when they come for inspections.

5. A Trusted Industry Standard

Most councils consider NarpsUK the gold standard for pet sitting association UK professionals. Membership is not required, but membership indicates that a boarder is committed to:

• Operating a sustainable and ethical pet sitting business
• Following the highest pet care professional standards
• Keeping up to date with changing regulations

For environmental health inspectors and licensing officers, membership in NarpsUK gives confidence that an in-home dog boarder is working within legal and ethical standards.

Conclusion

If you're a home-based dog boarder looking to get licensed—or simply want to enhance your pet sitting business—becoming a member of NarpsUK is a smart choice. It not only helps you meet dog boarding license requirements but also gives your clients confidence that their pets are in safe, professional hands.

By referring to NarpsUK, local authorities are assisting in ensuring that the home dog boarding UK sector has high standards, ensuring the utmost care for the UK's cherished pets.