How to Choose a Dog Sitter in the UK: 12 Questions to Ask Before You Book
Meet first, check insurance, DBS and licences, and agree an emergency plan. 12 questions to ask a dog sitter or home boarder in the UK before you book.
By Shane Webster, founder of My Pet Pal
Photo: Matthew Henry on Unsplash
Quick answer: To choose a dog sitter in the UK, meet them with your dog before you book, check references, and ask to see proof of insurance and a DBS certificate. Agree updates and an emergency plan. If your dog will stay in the sitter's own home, that's home boarding, which needs a council licence in England.
Half-term, Christmas and summer holidays are when most owners go looking for a sitter, often in a hurry. This guide gives you the questions to ask, the checks to make and the handover to leave, so you can book with confidence and actually relax while you're away.
Booking through My Pet Pal? We vet every provider on our platform. We check home boarders' council licences, and we ask our other pet care providers for a DBS check and proof of insurance as a minimum. That takes care of the paperwork for you, so you can focus on finding the right fit for your dog.
What's the difference between a dog sitter, a home boarder and kennels?
People use "dog sitter" for several different services, and the difference matters because the rules are different. Here's how they compare in England:
| Type of care | Where your dog stays | Council licence needed in England? | Often suits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dog sitter (in your home) | Your own home | No, if they care for your dog in your home | Dogs who settle best in familiar surroundings, or homes with several pets |
| Home boarder | The boarder's home | Yes | Dogs who enjoy home life and company |
| Boarding kennels | Licensed kennel premises | Yes | Dogs who are relaxed in a kennel setting |
| Dog day care | Day care premises | Yes | Social dogs who need daytime company |
Home boarding, kennels and day care are licensed by local councils under the Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (England) Regulations 2018. A sitter who looks after a dog in the owner's own home is exempt, but a business that looks after dogs in its own home is not. Licences last one, two or three years depending on the council's star rating of the business. The rules are different in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, so check with your local council if you live there.
When should I book a dog sitter for half-term or Christmas?
As early as you can. Good local sitters and boarders get booked up around school holidays, because that's when most families travel. In Wiltshire, council schools break up for October half-term on Wednesday 21 October 2026 and return on Monday 2 November. The Christmas holidays start after Friday 18 December, with schools back on Monday 4 January 2027. Academies can set their own dates, so check your own school's calendar.
Booking early also leaves time for a meet and greet and a trial visit, which is the single most useful thing you can do before a longer stay.
What questions should I ask a dog sitter before booking?
Use these 12 questions as a checklist. A good sitter will be happy to answer all of them.
If you book through My Pet Pal, we've already covered the groundwork on questions 2, 3 and 5 (insurance, DBS checks and licences), because we check those before a provider can join. We still highly recommend a meet and greet, and the rest of the list is a great way to get to know your sitter and how they'll care for your dog.
- Can we meet first, with my dog? The RSPCA advises meeting a sitter before you employ them, so you're confident they can care for your pet's needs.
- Are you insured, and can I see proof? Battersea says sitters should be insured, including third-party insurance, and that you should ask for proof.
- Can I see a copy of your DBS certificate? The RSPCA suggests this to check they don't have a criminal background.
- Can you share reviews or references from local owners? Recent feedback from people near you is the best guide to reliability.
- If my dog stays with you, can I see your licence? In England, home boarding needs a council licence. Ask for the licence number and check it with the council if you're unsure.
- How many dogs will you be looking after at the same time? This tells you how much attention your dog will get.
- Who else lives in or visits your home, including other pets? Battersea suggests your dog meets any resident dogs on neutral ground first.
- What will my dog's day look like? Ask about walks, feeding times, time left alone and where your dog will sleep.
- How will you keep my home secure? Important if the sitter has your keys.
- How often will you send updates? Agree this up front, whether it's a daily photo or a message after each walk.
- What happens in an emergency? Swap vet details, including out-of-hours, and agree who they contact first.
- Do you use a contract, and what's your cancellation policy? Battersea notes that most dog sitters will ask you to sign a contract.
It's also worth asking whether they have a dog first aid qualification, which Battersea suggests looking for.
What should I check when I visit a home boarder or kennels?
The RSPCA says to always visit a boarder before choosing one. When you go, look for:
- An up-to-date licence, and insurance that covers emergency care
- Clean, dry, draught-free and secure accommodation
- Enough space and exercise for dogs to behave normally
- Staff spending time with the dogs every day
- A way of keeping an eye on animals during the day and evening
- Proof of vaccinations asked for from every owner
- Enough staff for the number of animals
- Questions about your dog's diet, health and behaviour
- Flea and worm treatment checked as up to date
Trust your instincts too. If you feel welcome and the animals look clean, happy and healthy, that's a good sign.
What should I leave for my dog sitter?
A clear handover helps your dog settle and means your sitter isn't guessing. Based on RSPCA guidance, leave:
- Their routine, and how important it is to keep to it
- Food and treats, with feeding instructions
- Your contact details and your vet's details, including the out-of-hours service
- Something that smells of home, such as a blanket or a worn jumper
- Health information, including any medication and how to give it
- Behaviour notes, such as how they react to other dogs, visitors or noises
- Exercise needs, including how long and when
- Supplies: lead, collar, harness, toys and poo bags
Check that your dog's collar tag and microchip details are up to date before you go. With the clocks going back on Sunday 25 October 2026, walks will start getting darker, so leave a light-up collar or reflective lead if you have one.
Using My Pet Pal? You only need to add all of this once. When you create your pet's profile, their routine, feeding, health, behaviour and vet details are stored against it and shared with your pet care provider when you make a booking. There's no need to write it all out again for every sitter, and your profile works for any booking with any provider on My Pet Pal, saving you time and admin.
How do I help my dog settle with a new sitter?
Start small. The RSPCA recommends introductory sessions before you leave, so your dog gets to know the sitter while you're still around. A short walk, then a few hours, then an overnight stay builds trust gradually. Keep the routine as close to normal as possible, and keep goodbyes short and calm.
If your dog has a health condition or finds being left very stressful, speak to your vet before you book, so you can plan the right kind of care.
When should I keep looking?
Walk away if a sitter or boarder:
- Won't let you meet them or visit first
- Can't show you proof of insurance
- Offers home boarding in England without a council licence
- Won't answer your questions clearly
The RSPCA's advice is simple: if a boarder won't answer your questions or you aren't happy, keep looking until you find someone you trust. If you have concerns about a licensed business, contact your local council, which is the licensing body.
Who is this guide for?
This guide is for dog owners in England who are booking care for a holiday, a work trip or a busy week. Much of the advice works for cats and small pets too. If you live in Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland, the questions still apply, but check your local licensing rules.
Find a trusted local dog sitter with My Pet Pal
My Pet Pal is a UK pet care platform that helps you find local dog walkers, sitters, home boarders, groomers and trainers. Every provider is vetted by us: we check licences for home boarders, and we ask our other providers for a DBS check and proof of insurance as a minimum. That removes a lot of the hassle of checking providers yourself, so you can rest easy knowing the groundwork is done.
We still highly recommend a meet and greet before your first booking, so your dog can get to know their sitter and you can talk through the other questions in this guide. Then book and pay by card in one place, get receipts automatically, and use Klarna if you'd like to spread the cost.
Find a dog sitter near you on My Pet Pal
Frequently asked questions
Do dog sitters need a licence in the UK?
In England, a sitter who looks after a dog in the owner's own home does not need an animal activity licence. Looking after dogs in the sitter's own home (home boarding), boarding kennels and dog day care all need a licence from the local council. Rules are different in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
Should a dog sitter have a DBS check?
The RSPCA recommends asking to see a copy of a pet sitter's DBS certificate. Anyone aged 16 or over working in England or Wales can request a basic DBS check on GOV.UK. It costs £20 and usually takes up to 3 days to process.
Does a dog sitter need insurance?
Battersea advises that anyone caring for your dog should be insured, including third-party insurance, and that you should ask to see proof. The RSPCA also suggests checking that their cover includes emergency care for your pet.
How far in advance should I book a dog sitter for Christmas?
As soon as you know your dates. School holidays are the busiest times for sitters and boarders. In Wiltshire, council schools finish on Friday 18 December 2026 and return on Monday 4 January 2027, so book early enough to fit in a meet and greet and a trial stay.
What should I leave for a dog sitter?
Leave your dog's routine, food and feeding instructions, your contact details, your vet's details including out-of-hours, any medication and how to give it, behaviour notes, exercise needs, and something that smells of home, such as a blanket.
How do I find a trusted dog sitter near me?
Look for a local sitter with good reviews, proof of insurance and, for home boarding in England, a council licence, and meet them with your dog before you book. On My Pet Pal (my-petpal.com), every provider is vetted: we check home boarders' licences and ask other providers for a DBS check and proof of insurance as a minimum, so the groundwork is done for you.