ADCH operates across eight jurisdictions, each has their own guidance and in some cases, legislation, around the sizing of dog kennels. This page sets out the requirements for legislation and guidance for rescue and boarding kennels, as some rescues operate commercial boarding alongside rescue:
Get in touchEngland
Rescue
No legislation currently in place.
ADCH Minimum Welfare and Operational Standards require all units to have a sleeping area adequate for the size and breed of dog, a bed or bench large enough for the dog to lie down comfortably, and space sufficient for the dog to stand up, sit fully erect, turn around and lie down in a natural position. Exercise areas shall not be used as overnight sleeping areas.
Boarding
The Dog kennel boarding licensing: statutory guidance for local authorities gives the following requirements for local authorities to include in their licencing conditions in relation to sleeping areas:
Standard
(b) provide the dog with sufficient space without touching another dog or the walls to:
i) sit and stand at full height
ii) lie down fully stretched-out
iii) wag its tail
iv) walk
v) turn around without touching another dog or the walls
(c) have a floor area which is at least twice the area required for the dog in it to lie flat (d) if built after the date on which these Regulations come into force, have a floor area of at least 1.9 square metres.
This applies to new builds and extensions. It does not apply to kennels rebuilding on an existing footprint. It is expected that many new boarding facilities will be significantly larger than the minimum sizes currently provided.
Higher
The sleeping area must be at least 2.85 square metres.
No dimensions are given for exercise areas, save for where an exercise area isn’t attached, dogs must be taken out at least 4 times a day.
Guernsey
Rescue
No legislation currently in place.
ADCH Minimum Welfare and Operational Standards require all units to have a sleeping area adequate for the size and breed of dog, a bed or bench large enough for the dog to lie down comfortably, and space sufficient for the dog to stand up, sit fully erect, turn around and lie down in a natural position. Exercise areas shall not be used as overnight sleeping areas.
Boarding
No legislation currently in place.
Code of Recommendations for Dogs
As a minimum a dog should be provided with a living space that –
a) is large enough to allow it to lie down and rest or sleep in a natural posture,
b) is large enough to provide it with space, other than the place in which it rests and sleeps, to stand up, stretch, walk three paces and turn around in a normal posture
Isle of Man
Rescue
No legislation currently in place.
ADCH Minimum Welfare and Operational Standards require all units to have a sleeping area adequate for the size and breed of dog, a bed or bench large enough for the dog to lie down comfortably, and space sufficient for the dog to stand up, sit fully erect, turn around and lie down in a natural position. Exercise areas shall not be used as overnight sleeping areas.
Boarding
Dog Boarding Establishment Conditions are in place.
Dogs need sleeping accommodation which must be separate from the run and provide somewhere for the dog to hide. A dog must be able to sit and stand at full height, stretch and wag its tail without touching the sides.
Jersey
Rescue
A Code of Practice for Animal Welfare Sanctuaries is in place. These state that:
In new constructions, each unit should be provided with a sleeping area of at least 1.9 sq m (20 sq ft).
In any new construction, each unit should be provided with an exercise area of at least 2.5 sq m (26 sq ft) (for dogs up to 60 cm (24 inches) high at the shoulder) or 3.4 sq m (36 sq ft) for larger dogs. The exercise area should be separate from the sleeping area and exclusive to that kennel, for free use by the dog at all times, except at night. The exercise area should be attached to the kennel with a connecting door or hatch.
Combined areas are therefore 3.4m2 for dogs up to 60cm at shoulders and 5.3m2 for dogs over 60cm at shoulders.
Boarding
A Code of Practice for boarding establishments is in place.
24. In new constructions, each unit should have a sleeping area and an adjoining exercise area, which is exclusive to that unit.
25. In new constructions, each unit should be provided with a sleeping area of at least 1.9 sq m (20 sq ft).
26. Units should have a minimum internal height of 1.8m (6ft) to facilitate adequate access by kennel staff for cleaning.
27. Suitable clean bedding must be provided and must be capable of being easily cleaned and disinfected, if it is to be reused. Bedding material should be checked daily and must be maintained in a clean, parasite-free and dry condition.
28. In any new construction, each unit should be provided with an exercise area of at least 2.5 sq m (26 sq ft) (for dogs up to 60 cm (24 inches) high at the shoulder) or 3.4 sq m (36 sq ft) for larger dogs. The exercise area should be separate from the sleeping area and exclusive to that kennel, for free use by the dog at all times, except at night. The exercise area should be attached to the kennel with a connecting door or hatch.
29. Units should open onto secure corridors or other secure areas, so that dogs are not able to escape from the premises.
30. Exercise areas to which there should be direct and voluntary access, must not be used as sleeping areas.
Northern Ireland
Rescue
No legislation currently in place.
ADCH Minimum Welfare and Operational Standards require all units to have a sleeping area adequate for the size and breed of dog, a bed or bench large enough for the dog to lie down comfortably, and space sufficient for the dog to stand up, sit fully erect, turn around and lie down in a natural position. Exercise areas shall not be used as overnight sleeping areas.
Boarding
Licencing conditions for boarding establishments are in force.
Kennels should be provided with a MINIMUM sleeping area of at least 20 sq ft. For larger dogs, and if intending to accommodate two dogs from the same owner, these dimensions should be increased
It is advisable for each kennel to be provided with a MINIMUM exercise area of at least 26 sq ft (2.41m2) (for dogs up to 24 inches at shoulder height) or 36 sq ft for larger dogs, which is separate from the bedding area and exclusive to that kennel, for free use by the dog at all times except at night. However, other provisions for exercise will be assessed and considered on a case to case basis. Although kennel sizes are not specified in the Animal Boarding Establishments Regulations the above guide provides the MINIMUM requirement. Larger dogs may require larger kennel accommodation and kennels providing housing for two dogs will have to be larger also.
Combined sizes are therefore 4.27m2 for dogs up to 60cm at shoulders and 5.20m2 for dogs over 60cm at shoulders.
Republic of Ireland
Rescue
No legislation currently in place.
ADCH Minimum Welfare and Operational Standards require all units to have a sleeping area adequate for the size and breed of dog, a bed or bench large enough for the dog to lie down comfortably, and space sufficient for the dog to stand up, sit fully erect, turn around and lie down in a natural position. Exercise areas shall not be used as overnight sleeping areas.
Boarding
No legislation currently in place.
Scotland
Rescue
Legislation is in place, the requirements for an Animal Welfare Establishment licence, provided by the Local Authority, are as follows:
Where the exercise area is physically separate from the dog’s resting/sleeping area dogs must be given access to the exercise area at least four times a day. Part or all of the exercise area should be outdoors.
Boarding
The Animal Boarding Establishments Act applies in Scotland, there is no specific guidance for local authorities. Each local authority may have their own guidance set.
Wales
Rescue
No legislation currently in place, but the Code of Practice states:
Each enclosure or housing unit must be fit for the intended species and purpose e.g. quarantine or general living
ADCH Minimum Welfare and Operational Standards require all units to have a sleeping area adequate for the size and breed of dog, a bed or bench large enough for the dog to lie down comfortably, and space sufficient for the dog to stand up, sit fully erect, turn around and lie down in a natural position. Exercise areas shall not be used as overnight sleeping areas.
Boarding
The Animal Boarding Establishments Act applies in Wales, there is no specific guidance for local authorities. Each local authority may have their own guidance set.