Going on holiday? Pet sitter and kennel checklist (UK)

Updated 19 September 2026 · 4 min read

Whether your pet is staying with a friend, a sitter, or in kennels or a cattery, a bit of planning makes the time apart safer and calmer. Here's how to choose, what to sort out beforehand, and what to leave behind.

Make a free pet sitter sheet →Contacts, vet, food, medication and routine on one printable page, with what to do if your pet goes missing.

Choosing who looks after your pet

A sitter at home: a friend, a family member or a professional pet sitter. Cats in particular are often happier staying somewhere they know.
Home boarding: your pet stays in someone else's home, which can suit dogs that find kennels stressful.
Kennels or a cattery: good ones fill up for summer and Christmas, so book early.

Check they're licensed

In England, anyone who boards cats or dogs as a business, including home boarding and dog day care, needs a licence from the local council. Ask to see it. PDSA recommends looking for a five-star rating on the licence, visiting in person before you book, and asking friends or your vet for recommendations.

Vaccinations and treatments

Kennels and catteries won't take pets whose vaccinations aren't up to date, and some need them done a set time before your pet arrives. Ask what they need, check with your vet well ahead, and keep flea and worm treatments up to date too.

What to leave with whoever looks after your pet

Your vet's name, address and phone number
How to reach you, and an emergency contact who's staying in the UK
Feeding instructions, and enough of their usual food
Any medication, with the doses and times written down
Their routine: walks, bedtime, and any habits or fears
Their microchip number, and a recent photo

Keep their ID working while you're away

If your pet slips out, whoever finds them will try the tag or the microchip, and both lead back to you. If you'll be hard to reach, make sure the person looking after your pet can be reached too.

With a PetTag, you can add your sitter as the emergency contact on your pet's profile before you go, so whoever scans the tag can reach them, and change it back when you're home. If your pet does go missing, turn on lost mode: anyone who scans the tag sees they're missing, and you're emailed when it's scanned.

Taking your pet with you instead? See our UK dog holiday checklist, or our guide to taking your dog or cat abroad.

Before you go

Book early, especially for summer and Christmas.
Check vaccinations are up to date, with time to spare.
Visit the kennels or cattery, or have the sitter meet your pet.
Write down food, medication and routine.
Check the collar, the tag and your pet's microchip details.
Leave a recent photo, in case anyone needs to make a lost pet poster.

Quick answers

Do kennels and catteries have to be licensed?+

In England, yes. Anyone who boards cats or dogs as a business, including home boarding and dog day care, needs a licence from the local council.

What vaccinations does my dog need for kennels?+

Up-to-date vaccinations, and some kennels also ask for a kennel cough vaccine. Ask the kennels exactly what they need, and see your vet well ahead.

Is a pet sitter or a cattery better for my cat?+

Many cats are happier at home with a sitter, because they're somewhere familiar. If you choose a cattery, visit first and check its licence.

What should I leave for a pet sitter?+

Your vet's details, how to reach you, an emergency contact, feeding and medication instructions, your pet's routine, their microchip number and a recent photo.

Sources

This guide is general information, not legal or veterinary advice. How we write our guides