Every boarder on In The Big Bed holds a current council licence. Rover doesn't check this. We do.
Every boarder council licensed · No surge pricing ever · Dog care passport shared at booking
We run three levels of verification. All boarders hold at least a Silver badge — no exceptions.
In England, anyone boarding more than one dog for payment requires a licence from their local council under the Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) Regulations 2018. The licence sets minimum welfare standards — space, exercise, bedding, food, vet access — and must be renewed annually after inspection.
We verify every licence number directly with the issuing council before a boarder can list. Rover does not do this. Neither do most other platforms. On In The Big Bed, a licence badge means it has actually been checked.