What council star ratings mean for kennels and catteries
How councils inspect and score licensed kennels and catteries, what each star level means, and how to check a rating yourself.
Updated 18 October 2026
Every kennel and cattery in England that boards dogs or cats as a business needs a licence from its local council. Since October 2018, councils have also given each licensed business a star rating from 1 to 5. Very few owners know it exists, but it is one of the most useful things to check before you book.
The law behind it
Animal boarding is licensed under the Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (England) Regulations 2018. A council inspector must visit the premises before a licence is granted or renewed. They check the business against detailed welfare conditions covering accommodation, cleaning, exercise, feeding, health care, record keeping, staff training and emergency plans.
How the rating is worked out
The inspector scores two things:
- Welfare standards. Does the business have minor failings, meet the minimum standards, or meet the higher standards set out in Defra’s guidance?
- Risk. Is the business low risk or higher risk, based on things like its track record and how well it manages problems?
The two scores combine into a star rating, which also sets how long the licence lasts:
| Minor failings | Minimum standards | Higher standards | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Low risk | 1 star, 1-year licence | 3 stars, 2-year licence | 5 stars, 3-year licence |
| Higher risk | 1 star, 1-year licence | 2 stars, 1-year licence | 4 stars, 2-year licence |
Source: Defra, Animal activity licensing process: statutory guidance for local authorities.
What each rating tells you
- 5 stars: meets the higher welfare standards and is low risk. The best possible result.
- 4 stars: meets the higher standards but was assessed as higher risk.
- 3 stars: meets every minimum legal standard and is low risk. A 3-star business is properly licensed and fine to use. It just hasn’t met (or applied for) the higher standards.
- 2 stars: meets the minimum standards but is higher risk.
- 1 star: had minor failings that need putting right. The council will usually revisit within the year.
A licence of any star level means the business is legal and inspected. The rating helps you compare, but always visit before you book.
Unannounced visits
Councils make at least one unannounced visit during each licence: within 12 months for 1- and 2-star businesses, 24 months for 3- and 4-star, and 36 months for 5-star businesses.
Can a business change its rating?
Yes. A business can appeal its rating within 21 days of the licence being issued, and can ask for a re-inspection during the licence if it has made improvements. Ratings are reviewed every time the licence is renewed.
How to check a rating yourself
- Find the licence number. Licensed businesses must show the licence holder’s name and licence number on their website (a condition in Defra’s kennel and cattery guidance).
- Check the council register. Councils keep a public register of animal licences. Many publish it online, sometimes with star ratings. If yours doesn’t, you can ask the council’s licensing team.
- Check the expiry date. A licence that has expired may have been renewed, so ask the business to confirm.
On Kennels & Catteries, every listing shows the licence number, star rating and expiry date from the council register, with the date we last checked.