Insights from the front line of pet care

Dog daycare software in the UK: what to actually look for

The right daycare software should save you at least two hours of admin per day. Most options on the market were built for American kennels or generic pet businesses — here's what to look for if you're running a UK dog daycare specifically.

How much should you charge for dog daycare in the UK? (2026 guide)

In most UK towns, daycare rates run £25–£35 per dog per day. Here's how to work out the right price for your business — starting from your costs, not your competitors.

Is a dog daycare actually profitable? The real margins, honestly.

A well-run dog daycare can achieve net margins of 15–30% once it's established and full. Getting there takes longer than most people expect, and several common cost assumptions are badly wrong.

What licence do you need to run a dog daycare in the UK?

In England, you need an Animal Activity Licence from your local council if you look after dogs for money for more than four hours in any 24-hour period. Without one, you are breaking the law.

What do animal activity licence inspectors actually check?

Inspectors check whether your daycare meets the welfare standards set out in the 2018 Regulations — and how well you meet them determines your star rating. Knowing what they look for lets you prepare properly.

How to raise your daycare prices without losing customers

You can raise your prices and keep almost all of your customers — but only if you do it the right way. Most daycare owners who lose clients after a price rise lost them because of how the increase was communicated, not because of the amount.

How to earn more from your daycare without taking on more dogs

The quickest way to grow your daycare's revenue isn't more dogs — it's more revenue per dog per day. Most daycares are sitting on add-on income they haven't priced up or offered consistently.

What's the legal staff-to-dog ratio for a UK dog daycare?

There is no single fixed ratio written into law, but the statutory guidance suggests 1 member of staff per 6 dogs as a starting point. Here's what inspectors actually expect.

How to get more dog daycare clients (that actually stick)

The most effective way to fill your daycare is referrals from existing happy customers. Every other channel works, but none match the conversion rate of a personal recommendation from someone a dog owner already trusts.

How to Manage Dog Daycare Bookings Without the Chaos

The 7 Best Dog Daycare Software Platforms in 2025 (Honest Comparison)

Running a dog daycare? We compared the top 7 dog daycare software platforms on features, pricing, ease of use, and support — so you can choose with confidence.

Can You Run a Dog Daycare Without Software? (Spoiler: You Probably Shouldn't)

Plenty of dog daycares still run on WhatsApp, spreadsheets, and paper registers. It works — until it doesn't. Here's what we learned from 15 years of running a dog business the hard way.

Dog Daycare Software Pricing: What Does It Actually Cost in 2025?

Software pricing for dog daycares varies wildly — from £30 a month to over £300, with hidden fees that can double your bill. Here's a plain-English breakdown of what you can expect to pay and what to watch out for.

What Features Should Dog Boarding Software Have? A Complete Checklist

Not all pet care software is built equally. If you're evaluating platforms for your dog daycare or boarding facility, here's the complete feature checklist — straight from people who've run a real dog business for 15 years.

Make Running Your Dog Daycare Easier with Xero Integration

Running a dog daycare or walking business is hard work. Between keeping every dog happy and managing the day-to-day jobs, there is not much time left for paperwork. If you are still doing invoices by hand, chasing payments, or trying to make sense of endless spreadsheets, there is an easier way.

Never Forget a Dog Again: Why Non-Live Booking Systems Create Real Risk

Forgetting a dog does not usually come from neglect. It comes from bad systems. If your bookings are not live, if information sits in WhatsApp messages, if paper registers get lost — you are already working in a setup where human error is guaranteed.

Recent Press Concerns Raise Important Questions About Dog Daycare Transport Times

Recent coverage in the media has highlighted concerns around dogs spending excessive time in vans before arriving at daycare. Long, inefficient, or poorly managed transport routes can compromise welfare. This conversation is important — and it is overdue.

The Crate Conversation the Dog World Needs to Have

Dog crates spark strong opinions — some see them as helpful tools, while others worry about cruelty. The key is how they are used. When done right, crates offer security and structure; when misused, they can cause stress.