Vaccinations, licences and what to ask in Telford

Twelve dog boarders, day cares and kennels are listed for Telford, split between two licensing councils: Telford & Wrekin Council for the Telford & Wellington, Oakengates & Donnington, Madeley & Ironbridge and Newport areas, and Shropshire Council for Bridgnorth and Market Drayton & Whitchurch. A licence from either council is a legal requirement for this kind of business, but it says nothing about any one stay, so vaccinations, insurance and breed rules are worth asking about directly as well.

Vaccinations

Every boarder, day care and kennels here sets its own vaccination policy, so ask what it requires and how long before your dates it needs to see proof, rather than assuming one rule covers the whole town. Practice on kennel-cough cover also varies between businesses; raise it directly when you call rather than assuming an answer either way.

Licences

Eleven of the twelve businesses listed here carry a licence confirmed on Telford & Wrekin Council's or Shropshire Council's register, most with a specific licence number shown on the listing. The exception is We Love Pets Telford, a franchise branch that offers home boarding through a network of hosts rather than a single licensed premises; no matching entry was found for it on the Telford & Wrekin register at the time of research, so ask this branch directly about its licensing arrangements before booking. See our council licences guide for why no star rating appears on any Telford listing, whichever council issued the licence.

Breed policies and insurance

A boarder, kennels or day care is entitled to ask about a dog's breed and set its own conditions, including for an XL Bully, so ask directly rather than assuming either way. Where a business's own site describes itself as insured or DBS-checked, treat that as the business's own claim: Roskosh has no way to check an insurance policy or a background check independently, so ask to see evidence if it matters to your decision.

Questions to ask before you book

• Which council licensed you, and can I see the certificate or licence number?
• What vaccinations do you need before the stay, and how far in advance?
• Do you have a policy on kennel cough cover?
• Do you have any breed policies I should know about, including for an XL Bully?
• Do you say you hold public liability insurance, and can I see evidence of it?
• How many other dogs will be there during my dates, and from how many households?
• What happens if my dog needs a vet while in your care, and who decides that?

None of the businesses listed here publish a vaccination schedule or a stated insurance position beyond their licence, so ask rather than assume an answer either way.