Regulations to Run a Dog Kennel

Running a dog kennel for profit or for breeding requires a number of different regulations, which ensure the safe treatment of all the animals the kennel is in charge of looking after. Many of the specifics of these regulations vary from municipality to municipality, but there are general requirements applying to all dog kennels and the dogs they house.

  1. Permits and Licenses

    • Dog kennels are often defined by having more than a certain number of dogs on a property that the property owner is taking care of or breeding for commercial purposes. For example, in the town of Riga, New York, the town's definition of a kennel is a commercial operation that houses five or more dogs for non-medical-related care. To run a kennel in Riga, a special use permit is required, which means you need to fill out an application and present it to the board, stating how many dogs you plan to have at your kennel, approval from your neighbors and proof that the dogs will have enough room to run around and not be mistreated.

    Paperwork Requirements from Pet Owners

    • For each dog staying at a kennel, medical paperwork is typically required to be presented by the pet owner proving her dog has had all its rabies shots and doesn't have any diseases or problems. If it does have diseases or problems, the kennel should be advised on how to take care of the dog or should not take the dog and recommend taking the dog to a vet depending on the severity of the animal's condition. This is important as the spread of disease by dogs at a kennel can occur, hurting or killing other dogs and possibly causing the owner or other people at the kennel harm. This is also a liability risk.

    Size of Kennel

    • Dogs in the kennel must have room to run freely, such as a large backyard or pasture. There should be fences around the edges of the kennel that can keep small dogs from escaping, as a lost or missing dog can lead to a lawsuit from the pet owner. Dogs should also each have their own places to sleep in the kennel so that they can have privacy and be separated from other dogs if they don't get along.