A good kennel welcomes questions

Published benchmarks

• RSPCA advice · paraphrased

  First decide whether a kennel stay fits your dog. If unfamiliar routines or nearby animals cause severe stress, care at home by someone the dog trusts may be more suitable.

• RSPCA advice · paraphrased

  Before booking, inspect the premises yourself, or ask a trusted person to do so. Look at available room, general condition, cleanliness, temperature management, ventilation and how care is delivered.

• RSPCA advice · paraphrased

  If the facility allows it, use a brief introductory stay before a longer booking, and ask other pet owners about their own boarding experience there.

Published benchmarks

• WA 2020 · S3.3 + S3.1(d)Must

  An enclosure must let a dog stand, turn freely, stretch, roll, lie with limbs extended, and toilet away from sleeping and eating areas. Housing must be designed and maintained to prevent escape.

• WA 2020 · Appendix 1, Table 1 · recommendedRecommended

  Recommended minimums: dogs under 40 cm at the shoulder—1.5 m² floor area, 90 cm width, plus 1.0 m² per additional dog; 40–70 cm—2.4 m², 100 cm width, plus 1.2 m²; over 70 cm—3.5 m², 120 cm width, plus 1.7 m². Minimum height is 180 cm if roofed, and floor area includes bedding. Local governments may set mandatory minimums for licensed kennel establishments.

• ASV 2022 · shelter benchmark, applied by analogy

  As a shelter benchmark, animals must be able to stand, walk several steps, sit normally, lie at full body length and hold the tail erect. Travel crates are unacceptable as primary housing; suitable compartments should separate sitting, sleeping and eating from toileting.

Published benchmarks

• WA 2020 · G18.4 + S7.6 + Appendix 2MustShould

  Establishment housing should remain below 30 °C, with reasonable mitigation when it exceeds 30 °C; reasonable measures must prevent heat or cold stress. Appendix 2 advises thermometers at different sites, checked during the hottest part of the day, and notes that a closed vehicle in full sun can reach 50 °C in under 15 minutes.

• ASV 2022 · shelter benchmark, applied by analogy

  The shelter temperature benchmark is 18–26.6 °C (64–80 °F), with individual monitoring and action when an animal appears too hot or cold.

• WA 2020 · S18.2 + S18.3Must

  Fully enclosed housing must have draught-free ventilation that distributes fresh air evenly, at least 8–12 air changes per hour, and a backup plan if ventilation fails. Dogs must not be kept in constant darkness or constant light over a 24-hour period.

• ASV 2022 · shelter benchmark, applied by analogy

  The shelter ventilation benchmark is 10–20 fresh-air room exchanges per hour; noise must be minimised in animal housing areas.

Published benchmarks

• WA 2020 · S18.5 + S18.6 + S19.2 + S19.3 + G19.1MustShould

  The establishment must be clean and hygienic. Indoor enclosures must be disinfected when dogs change over and at least weekly, and immediately when infectious disease is suspected. A dog with a contagious disease, such as parvovirus, distemper or infectious hepatitis, must be effectively isolated. Waste drains should be cleaned daily.

• ASV 2022 · shelter benchmark, applied by analogy

  While the same animal remains in an enclosure, spot cleaning should occur at least daily: remove waste and soiled bedding, and refresh food and water. Keeping familiar scents makes this less stressful than full daily sanitation.

Published benchmarks

• WA 2020 · S8.1 + S8.2Must

  A dog must have enough clean water for physiological needs and enough of a proper diet to maintain good health.

• WA 2020 · S23.1 + S23.2 + G11.1 + S10.1MustShould

  A continuously enclosed dog must get a daily opportunity to exercise outdoors. Dogs exercised together must be supervised and checked for compatibility. Dogs should receive at least 20 minutes of exercise daily, while individual social, behavioural and enrichment needs must be met every day.

• ASV 2022 · shelter benchmark, applied by analogy

  Enrichment is as significant as nutrition and medical care, not optional. Positive social interaction, mental stimulation and physical activity must be provided daily beyond feeding and cleaning; daily time outside the kennel is one of the most effective stress reducers for kenneled dogs.

• WA 2020 · G17.5 + S17.1 + Appendix 8MustShould

  Recommended staffing is at least one full-time competent attendant per 25 dogs, and about one staff member per four compatible dogs during supervised group exercise. Carer numbers must be sufficient, with reasonable out-of-hours care and monitoring; ideally, an out-of-hours supervisor lives nearby and can attend at short notice.

• RSPCA advice · paraphrased

  Request a concrete timetable covering meals, drinking water, exercise, individual staff attention, supervised social play, enrichment and cleaning. Also ask whether familiar enrichment items may come from home.

Published benchmarks

• WA 2020 · S7.1 + S7.3 + Part 3 guidanceMust

  A dog’s health and welfare must be checked at least once daily, including eating, drinking, toileting and behaviour. Veterinary advice must be sought promptly for pain, distress, rapidly deteriorating health, serious injury or suspected poisoning. Part 3 guidance adds recording each dog’s food and water intake.

• ASV 2022 · shelter benchmark, applied by analogy

  Trained personnel must visually assess every animal at least once every 24 hours, ideally before cleaning so food intake and enclosure condition can be noted. Longer-stay animals should be weighed and body-condition scored at least monthly.

• RSPCA advice · paraphrased

  Arrange a veterinary check before the stay so known concerns can be identified and planned for. Give the kennel your regular clinic’s contact details and verify that veterinary help can be reached while your dog is boarding.

• WA 2020 · G7.3Should not

  Human medication should not be given to a dog except under veterinary advice.

Published benchmarks

• WA 2020 · S7.4 + Appendix 8MustShould

  Reasonable measures must prevent distemper, infectious canine hepatitis and parvovirus, protect against other common infectious diseases, and control internal and external parasites including heartworm. A Part 3 Dog Health Management Plan should cover vaccination requirements and admission assessment. WA core vaccines cover distemper, infectious hepatitis and parvovirus; vaccines for the main canine-cough agents are also commonly given.

• RSPCA advice · paraphrased

  RSPCA guidance recommends C5 for dogs that often mix with other dogs, boarding included. C5 combines core C3 with parainfluenza and Bordetella bronchiseptica, the principal canine-cough agents. The non-core portions are commonly renewed each year and may be administered separately if boarding is needed at short notice.

• ASV 2022 · shelter benchmark, applied by analogy

  A facility must have a written vaccination protocol developed under veterinary supervision; animals housed together face greater infectious-disease risk than pets at home.

• RSPCA advice · paraphrased

  A responsible facility will normally require current vaccinations, worm control and protection from external parasites before it accepts a dog.

Published benchmarks

• Dog Act 1976 (WA) · ss 21 & 27Must

  as at August 2026Every WA dog over 3 months must be microchipped; the penalty is $5,000, with a narrow veterinary exemption. Section 27 provides for local governments to license approved kennel establishments.

• WA 2020 · Appendix 7 + G17.2Should

  A boarding agreement should cover duration, responsibilities, specific care instructions, veterinary-care contingencies and what happens if a dog is not collected. Admission records should include health observations, vaccination, parasite control, medical history and known behaviour issues. A documented Emergency Management Plan should be in place.

• DPIRD legislation page · as at August 2026

  As at August 2026, WA has no boarding-kennel-specific code of practice. The 2020 Dog Standards and Guidelines are departmental policy, with regulations being drafted to give them legal effect under the Animal Welfare Act 2002; until then, compliance signals voluntary commitment.