Unlicensed Surrey dog boarder successfully prosecuted

Guilford Borough Council has successfully prosecuted an unlicensed dog home boarding business.

The unnamed defendant pleaded guilty to operating a dog boarding business without a licence, contrary to the Animal Welfare Act 2006, at Guildford Magistrates Court.

The court heard that she ran a home boarding and day care service for dogs between July 2022 and October 2025 without the required licence. This is despite being formally advised by the council in 2022 that she must not trade unless licensed.

Peter Burnage, Senior Environmental Protection Officer (Animal Welfare) at Guildford Borough Council, said: “Licensing exists to protect the welfare of animals, and to give pet owners confidence that their dogs are in safe, responsible hands. In this case, the defendant continued to operate for several years despite clear advice and opportunities to comply with the law.

“Unlicensed dog boarding poses real risks, from the spread of disease to inadequate facilities and supervision. It’s simply not fair on the many local businesses who do the right thing and meet the required standards.

“We urge pet owners to always check that anyone offering boarding services is properly licensed. We also encourage anyone currently operating without a licence to come forward and work with us; we’re here to provide guidance and support to help businesses meet their legal obligations.”

Following the hearing, the defendant was fined £2,400, ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £960 and council costs of £1,419.