Tendring District Council are urging residents to ensure their "doggy day care" providers are licensed.

Michael Talbot, Tendring District Council (TDC) Cabinet Member for Environment, encouraged pet owners to check the registers and only use licensed businesses.

“Parents check Ofsted ratings before selecting a pre-school or childminder, and you might not eat at a restaurant with a low hygiene rating – so why would you put man’s best friend into an unregistered kennel?” Councillor Talbot said.

“Being licensed gives you some reassurance that you’re leaving your beloved pet with someone who will treat them well, so check first.

“We’re aware of a number of businesses popping up in this sector, catering for a rise in demand; with many pets now bought during lockdowns when people worked from home, but are now heading back to the office.

“We’re supportive of local entrepreneurs matching that demand, but would also remind these new businesses that it is essential they register and get themselves licensed.”

Emma Carpenter, joint owner of Play Paws Dog Daycare in Alresford, said more needs to be done to show the negatives of not having a licence.

She said:

“I’d like to see more enforcement against people that don’t follow the rules, I also believe insurance companies should be asking for licence numbers.

“We are in the process of setting up a Facebook page where the licensed businesses in Tendring can add their details and we can share the page to dog owners when people ask for recommendations on social media.”