The Irish Kennel Licensing Checklist (2026)
The County Vet is at the gate. You hear the words, and instead of panic, you think: I've got this.
That's the moment this checklist is designed to give you.
Operating an animal boarding establishment in Ireland means adhering to the Dog Breeding Establishments Act 2010 and the varied requirements set by your local County Council. Non-compliance isn't just an administrative oversight — it's a direct threat to your passion and your livelihood.
Are You Inspection-Ready? A Quick Self-Assessment
How long would it take you to produce these items if an official from your County Council or the Department of Agriculture arrived at your gate right now?
- Current Vaccinations: Proof for every dog on-site, instantly (including kennel cough)
- The Animal Register: A digital or physical log of every arrival and departure for the last 12 months
- Timestamped Logs: Evidence of feeding, exercise, and medications from today — with times recorded
- Emergency Protocols: A fire and escape plan that every staff member has read and signed
- GDPR Compliance: Proof that client data (including microchip numbers and vet contacts) is stored securely and in line with data protection regulations
The Master Record Checklist: Dog Breeding Establishments Act 2010
Pet & Owner Security (GDPR-Compliant Data Privacy)
- Full Identity Profiles: Name, breed, age, sex, microchip number for every animal
- Emergency Contact Tree: Owner details plus an alternative local contact
- Consent Forms: Written permission for communal exercise, specific diets, emergency vet intervention
- Secure Data Storage: Proof that all client and pet data is stored in a GDPR-compliant manner
- Microchip Verification: Confirmation that you've verified microchip numbers match physical dogs
Health & Vaccination (The #1 Inspection Fail Point)
- Verified Boosters: Digital copies of vaccination cards (including Kennel Cough). System should flag expiring boosters before a dog arrives
- Medical Administration Records (MAR): Clear, timestamped logs of who gave what medication, when, and to which animal
- Isolation Protocol: Documented procedures for dogs showing signs of contagion
- Health Declaration Form: Signed confirmation from the owner that the dog is fit to board
Daily Care & Welfare (Evidence-Based Digital Logs)
- The 24-Hour Diary: Daily observations on behaviour, appetite, stool condition — essential for spotting early illness. These must be timestamped digital logs.
- Exercise Logs: Proof that the dog has met licensing requirements for daily activity, with clear times recorded
- Cleaning Audit: A record of when kennel units were deep-cleaned, with which antimicrobial agents were used, and by whom
- Behavioural Observations: Any changes in temperament, stress levels, or interactions with other dogs
Booking & Occupancy Management
- Animal Register: A comprehensive, digital log of every animal boarded, including precise dates and assigned boarding blocks
- Booking Confirmations: Records of all confirmed bookings, clearly stating dates and agreed services
- Capacity Log: Clear documentation of kennel unit occupancy to prevent overbooking
Staff & Operations
- Staff Training Records: Evidence of appropriate training in animal welfare, first aid, and hygiene
- Emergency Procedures: Documented plans for fire, escapes, and veterinary emergencies
- Insurance Details: Proof of public liability insurance and appropriate animal care coverage
Why Most Kennels Struggle With Compliance
Here's the truth: maintaining these records manually — across paper diaries, scattered documents, email threads, and half-remembered policies — is a high-risk strategy.
- Records are spread across multiple systems, making them hard to find during an inspection
- Digital and paper records don't sync, creating gaps or duplicates
- Timestamped logs are often vague or incomplete
- Staff don't know the procedures, leading to inconsistencies
- Expiring vaccinations are missed, putting you at risk
Better Path: Centralise everything into one system. One source of truth. One system that scales with you.
Achieve One-Click Compliance with The Kennel Manager
The Kennel Manager centralises all your critical data into a single, organised system — designed specifically for Irish kennel owners and compliant with the Dog Breeding Establishments Act 2010.
Digital Vault for Records: Every pet's full history, medical notes, and vaccination proof stored securely and instantly accessible from your phone — even when you're out in your wellies in the yard.
GDPR-Compliant Data Privacy: All client and pet data is handled with the highest standards of security and privacy, meeting Irish data protection requirements.
Timestamped Daily Logs: Record feeding, exercise, medications, and health observations directly within The Kennel Manager. Every entry is automatically timestamped.
Proactive Alerts: The system flags expiring vaccinations before a dog arrives, so you're never caught off guard.
Stop Fearing Inspections. Start Embracing Calm Confidence.
When the County Vet calls, or the Council announces an inspection, you should feel confident — not panicked. All your records are organised. All your vaccinations are tracked. All your daily logs are timestamped and auditable.
The Kennel Manager isn't just a booking system. It's your compliance partner, helping you prove that you care — not just for your animals, but for the standards they deserve.