Terms & Conditions
Last updated: 10 July 2026
Dog Boarding & Kennel Terms and Conditions
1 Oct 2026 · @Robert Innes
By booking a stay with us, you agree to these terms. Please read them before you book; they form the contract between you and us.
1.1 These terms apply to all boarding, kennel and associated services provided by [Business Name] Ltd, a company registered in Scotland under number [Company No.], whose registered office is at [Address] ("we", "us", "our").
1.2 We hold a licence for keeping dogs (boarding) issued by [Council Name] under the Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (Scotland) Regulations 2021. Licence number: [Licence No.].
1.3 In these terms:
"Owner" or "you" means the person making the booking, who must be 18 or over and the owner of the dog, or authorised by the owner to act for them."Dog" means each dog booked into our care."Stay" means the period from drop-off to collection."Day" means each calendar day, or part day, the dog is in our care.1.4 You confirm that the information you give us at booking and on our registration form is complete and accurate. You must tell us of any change before the stay begins.
A booking is confirmed only once we have received your deposit and sent you written confirmation.
2.1 A non-refundable deposit of [25]% of the total booking fee is payable at the time of booking. For stays of [3] nights or fewer, full payment may be required at booking.
2.2 For peak periods (school holidays, Christmas, New Year and public holidays, as shown on our website), a deposit of [50]% is payable and a minimum stay of [3] nights applies.
2.3 All new dogs must complete a registration form and, where we request it, a free assessment visit or trial day before their first stay.
2.4 Bookings are charged per day. The day of arrival and the day of departure are each charged as a full day, unless stated otherwise on our price list.
2.5 We may decline any booking at our discretion, including where we cannot safely meet a dog's needs.
The deposit is non-refundable; beyond that, what you pay on cancellation depends on how much notice you give.
3.1 Cancellations must be made in writing (email is fine). Notice runs from when we receive it.
Notice given before the start date
Standard period
Peak period
More than 14 days
Deposit kept
Deposit kept
7 to 14 days
Deposit kept
50% of total fee
Less than 7 days
50% of total fee
100% of total fee
No-show, or early collection
100% of total fee
100% of total fee
3.2 Where possible we will move your deposit to a new date within [6] months instead of keeping it, subject to availability. This is a goodwill gesture, not a right.
3.3 If you collect your dog early, no refund is due for unused days.
3.4 If we have to cancel your booking (for example through illness, an outbreak of disease, severe weather or loss of our licence), we will refund all payments made in full. Our liability is limited to that refund.
3.5 Changes to dates are treated as a cancellation and new booking, unless we agree otherwise.
No dog can stay without up-to-date vaccinations; we will refuse entry on arrival, and the full fee remains payable.
4.1 Every dog must be fully vaccinated against canine distemper, hepatitis (adenovirus), parvovirus and leptospirosis, with boosters current throughout the stay. A valid vaccination card or vet certificate must be shown at or before the first stay, and whenever boosters are renewed.
4.2 Primary vaccinations or boosters must have been given at least [14] days before arrival.
4.3 We strongly recommend vaccination against kennel cough (Bordetella / parainfluenza) at least [14] days before arrival. [Optional: Kennel cough vaccination is compulsory.] Kennel cough is airborne and can be caught despite vaccination and good hygiene; we cannot accept liability if your dog contracts it.
4.4 Titre test results are accepted in place of core boosters only where supported by a vet certificate dated within the last [12] months. Leptospirosis cannot be titre tested and its vaccination must still be current.
4.5 Dogs must be treated for fleas, ticks and worms within [4] weeks before arrival. If we find fleas or ticks, we may treat your dog with a suitable product and charge you the cost.
4.6 Dogs must be in good health. You must tell us of any illness, injury, allergy, medication or contact with an infectious disease in the [14] days before arrival. We may refuse a dog that appears unwell.
4.7 Dogs must be at least [6] months old. Entire (unneutered) males over [12] months and females in season, or due in season during the stay, may only be accepted by prior agreement and may be housed separately from group play.
4.8 Dogs must be microchipped, with details registered to you, as required by law in Scotland.
Drop-off and collection are by appointment within our opening hours, which are published on our website.
5.1 Drop-off and collection times: [Mon–Sat 8:00–10:00 and 16:00–18:00]. We are closed for drop-off and collection on [Sundays / public holidays].
5.2 Dogs must arrive on a secure lead and collar or harness, wearing an ID tag as required by law.
5.3 We will only release your dog to you, or to a person you have named in writing in advance. That person may be asked for photo ID.
5.4 Collection outside agreed times may incur a late fee of [£X], or an extra day's charge if we have to keep your dog overnight.
5.5 If you do not collect your dog within [7] days of the agreed date and we cannot contact you or your emergency contact, we will treat the dog as abandoned. We may then rehome your dog through a recognised rescue organisation and recover all boarding, care and veterinary costs from you. We will notify the local authority and the Scottish SPCA.
We will care for your dog with reasonable skill and care, meeting the standards set by our licence.
6.1 Food. We feed [brand] as standard. You may bring your dog's own food, clearly labelled with feeding amounts, in enough quantity for the whole stay. If it runs out, we will substitute our food at [no extra cost / a charge of £X per day]. Raw food is accepted only by prior agreement and must arrive frozen in daily portions.
6.2 Exercise and play. Dogs are exercised daily in our secure areas. Dogs assessed as suitable may join supervised group play with dogs of a similar size and temperament. Play carries a risk of minor scrapes, nicks and strains; by agreeing to group play you accept that risk. You may opt your dog out of group play at booking.
6.3 Medication. We will give prescribed medication in its original packaging, labelled by your vet, with clear written instructions. You confirm the dosage is correct. We may charge [£X per day] for complex medication or care needs.
6.4 Changes to routine. Some dogs eat less, lose a little weight or have loose stools when away from home. This is normal and usually settles within a few days. We will contact you if we have concerns.
6.5 Belongings. You may bring a bed, blanket or toy. Please label everything. We are not responsible for loss of, or damage to, belongings, including items chewed by your dog or by other dogs. We do not accept rawhide or toys that can be swallowed.
You must tell us honestly about your dog's behaviour, because the safety of our staff and other dogs depends on it.
7.1 Before booking, you must disclose any history of aggression towards people or animals, biting, escape attempts, separation anxiety, resource guarding or destructive behaviour.
7.2 We may refuse entry, separate your dog from others, or end the stay early if your dog shows behaviour we consider unsafe, or that causes it or others undue stress. If we end a stay, you or your emergency contact must collect the dog within [24] hours. No refund is due.
7.3 You are liable for any injury, loss or damage your dog causes to our staff, premises, property or other animals, including resulting vet fees, where that behaviour was not disclosed to us.
7.4 We do not accept any dog of a type prohibited under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 unless it holds a valid certificate of exemption, and then only by prior agreement.
If your dog needs a vet during its stay, you authorise us to arrange treatment, and you are responsible for the cost.
8.1 If your dog becomes unwell or injured, we will try to contact you or your emergency contact. If we cannot reach either promptly, you authorise us to seek treatment from our own vet, [Practice Name], or your vet if practical, and to follow their advice.
8.2 You authorise any treatment our vet considers necessary, up to [£X] without further consent. Where we cannot reach you and the vet advises urgent treatment above that amount, you authorise us to approve it in your dog's interest.
8.3 You must pay all vet fees, medication and transport costs, plus an admin charge of [£X] per vet visit, on collection or on invoice. Claims on your pet insurance are your responsibility.
8.4 If your dog's condition is untreatable or causing suffering that cannot be relieved, and we cannot reach you or your emergency contact, you authorise a vet to put your dog to sleep on the vet's professional advice. We will make every effort to contact you first.
8.5 In the unlikely event that your dog dies in our care, we will keep the body under appropriate conditions and, unless you instruct otherwise, may ask for a post-mortem at our cost to establish the cause. Any cremation or burial is at your cost.
8.6 Older dogs and dogs with existing conditions are accepted on the understanding that the stress of boarding may affect their health. We accept no liability for the worsening of an existing condition unless caused by our negligence.
The balance of your booking is due [on or before collection / [7] days before arrival], and we may keep your dog until it is paid.
9.1 Our current prices are shown on our website. The price confirmed at booking is the price you pay, unless you change the booking.
9.2 Extra charges (vet fees, medication administration, late collection, extended stays, flea treatment) are payable on collection, or within [7] days of our invoice.
9.3 We accept [card, bank transfer]. We do not accept cheques.
9.4 Under Scots law we have a right of retention: we may keep your dog in our care until all sums due for its stay are paid. Boarding fees continue to accrue at the daily rate while we do so.
9.5 Overdue sums may attract interest and recovery costs under the Late Payment of Commercial Debts (Interest) Act 1998 where you book as a business, or at [X]% per year above the Bank of England base rate otherwise.
We are liable for loss or injury caused by our negligence or breach of these terms, but not for risks that are a normal part of boarding.
10.1 We hold public liability and care, custody and control insurance with [Insurer]. Details are available on request.
10.2 We are not liable for:
illness or injury not caused by our negligence, including kennel cough and minor injuries from normal play;stress-related conditions, or the worsening of existing conditions, where we have taken reasonable care;loss or damage to belongings (see 6.5);losses we could not reasonably have foreseen when you booked, or business losses.10.3 Our total liability for any one stay is limited to [£X], except where the law does not allow us to limit it.
10.4 Nothing in these terms limits or excludes our liability for death or personal injury caused by our negligence, for fraud, or for anything else that cannot be limited under Scots law. Your statutory rights as a consumer, including under the Consumer Rights Act 2015, are not affected.
10.5 We recommend that you hold pet insurance that covers vet fees while your dog is boarding.
These terms are governed by Scots law, and any dispute will be dealt with by the Scottish courts.
11.1 Photos and video. We may photograph or film your dog during its stay and use the images on our website and social media. Tell us at booking if you do not consent; you can withdraw consent at any time.
11.2 Your data. We hold your personal data to manage your booking and your dog's care, and to meet our licence requirements, in line with UK data protection law. Our Privacy Policy explains how we use it and your rights.
11.3 Inspection. Our premises may be inspected by the local authority at any time as a condition of our licence. Records about your dog may be shown to inspectors.
11.4 Complaints. Please raise any concern with us first, at [email] or [phone]. We will acknowledge it within [3] working days and aim to resolve it within [14] days.
11.5 Changes to these terms. We may update these terms from time to time. The version on our website when you make a booking applies to that booking.
11.6 Severability. If any part of these terms is found unenforceable, the rest remains in force.
11.7 Jurisdiction. If you live elsewhere in the UK, you may also bring proceedings in your home courts.
Last updated: [date