Frequently asked questions

A free service that finds boarding kennel space for your dog. You tell us your dates once, we ask council-licensed kennels near you, and we show you who has space so you don't have to ring round.

Enter your postcode, dates and dog details. We show you the suitable licensed kennels within a distance you choose (10, 20 or 30 km) with their photos and council ratings. The best matches are ticked for you and you can change the ticks. We then send each ticked kennel a short enquiry, after we have checked it. Kennels reply with whether they have space and their price, and you see the replies together on your results page.

Yes. KennelFinder is free for dog owners.

No. You choose a kennel from your results and contact them directly to confirm and book. The kennel will usually want to check your dog's details and vaccinations first.

Many kennels reply within a few hours, and we email you as soon as the first one has space. Requests stay open for 48 hours, after which we send you a summary.

We currently cover Maidenhead and roughly 30 km around it, including parts of Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Surrey and Oxfordshire. We're expanding across the South East.

Yes. Kennels sometimes have cancellations or quiet periods, so it's worth asking even at short notice.

Yes, up to three dogs per request. Many kennels can house dogs from the same household together. Tell us in the notes if your dogs should share.

We'll let you know. Try widening your radius, adjusting your dates, or sending a new request. Space often frees up as plans change.

No. Prices and availability in your results are provisional and come from the kennel's reply. Always confirm the final price and dates with the kennel when you book.

In England, businesses that board dogs must hold a licence from their local council under the Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (England) Regulations 2018. We only contact kennels that hold one.

When councils inspect a licensed kennel they award a rating from 1 to 5 stars based on its welfare standards and risk. Higher-rated businesses typically receive longer licences. Where a council publishes a kennel's rating, we show it.

We recommend it. Ask to see the kennels and exercise areas, and ask to see their licence certificate.

Most kennels require up-to-date core vaccinations and many also require kennel cough. Requirements vary, so check with the kennel and bring your vaccination record.

Exercise routine, how many dogs share space, feeding and medication arrangements, vet cover, what happens if your dog is unwell, and drop-off and collection times.

The kennel you book with. KennelFinder helps you find space; the booking and care arrangement is between you and the kennel.

Your first name, your dogs' details (size, breed, vaccinations, medication, behaviour notes), your dates and the town you're searching from. We don't share your email address or phone number. You contact the kennel when you're ready.

Only to handle your request and email you about it. See our Privacy Policy for details.

Yes. Use the "Cancel this request" button on your results page and we'll stop contacting kennels.

No. Receiving and replying to enquiries is free.

The owner's first name, dates, number of nights, and the dog's size, breed, vaccinations, medication and behaviour notes, so you can decide quickly.

Tap the link in the email and choose Yes, Some dates or No (with your price if you like), or simply reply to the email in your own words.

Choose "We're full until…" on any enquiry and we won't send more until that date.

Use the "Stop sending me requests" link in any enquiry email.

Contact us using the details on the For kennels page and we'll update your listing.