We looked at every Aberdeen City dog daycare listing we could find on Google Maps, and we could not verify a current licence for any of them, so we are not listing a centre this time. We haven’t visited anywhere. Daycare run as a business is a licensed activity, so ask to see the licence before you book, and use this page to see what we checked and how to check for yourself.
Daycare centres with a website, a licence we could see and a Google Maps listing
None met all four of our tests: its own website, a Google Maps listing, licence evidence we could see that is still in date, and daytime care for other people’s dogs. Rather than list a centre on a guess, we have set out below who came closest and what stopped them.
Ratings and review counts quoted on this page are from Google Maps on 12 November 2026 and come from the public. We haven’t checked them independently.
Listings we left out, and why
Granite Pack K9 Care (Howes Road, 4.8 from 17 Google reviews) is the closest. Its own website describes dog daycare Monday to Friday, 7am to 7pm, but states no licence. Aberdeen City Council’s register lists it under “Commercial day boarding: Dogs” (ACC/ABL/10/21), but the expiry date on that entry is 31 December 2024, and the register is undated, so we couldn’t confirm a current licence. It may simply be out of date, so ask the centre and the council.
The Doodle House (5.0 from 1 review) says on its website that it is a licensed and insured home boarder (ACC/ABL/33/23) and lists doggy daycare, but gives no description, says it is fully booked for 2026, and the register shows an expiry of 24 March 2025. Alan’s Dog Boarding & Daycare (4.7 from 10 reviews) has a website linked from its Google Maps listing (alansdogcare.co.uk), but we could not open it, so we can’t say what it says about daycare or a licence. The register’s home boarding entry (ACC/ABL/14/22) shows an expiry of 8 March 2025. Barky Minders (no reviews) has a home boarding entry that expired on 26 May 2025 on the register. Fleur’s Four Legged Friends (5.0 from 5 reviews) only has a Facebook page, and its register entry shows an expiry of 3 September 2025.
Sophie’s Pawtique & Spa (4.8 from 18 reviews) is a grooming business whose website mentions a chargeable creche area for dogs waiting to be collected, but not daycare or a licence. Helping Hounds (5.0 from 8 reviews) describes enrichment walks and training on its website, not daycare. The K9 Health Centre (4.8 from 71 reviews, Hill of Findon) mentions a dog activity centre but shows no licence, and we didn’t find it on the city register.
Pawsome Petcare‘s website offers home boarding and pet visits, and says it is fully licensed and insured, but gives no licence number and we did not find it on the register. Coalford Canine Retreat (Peterculter) states an Aberdeenshire Council licence, ABS-DWABE-0046-2026, but its website offers overnight boarding only, not daycare. Aberdeen Pet Resort at Tillyoch (3.3 from 54 reviews) has a register entry for cats and small animals, which expired on 10 July 2025.
We did not assess the other boarding kennels and pet sitters that came up in the same search.
A centre being left out doesn’t mean it is unlicensed. It means we couldn’t see proof that is still in date, so ask it.
How to check a daycare licence in Aberdeen City
In Scotland, dog boarding is licensed by the local council under the Animal Boarding Establishments Act 1963, and councils differ in how they treat daycare. Aberdeen City Council’s page says a licence is needed to operate an animal boarding establishment, and its public animal activities register has a “Commercial day boarding: Dogs” category alongside home boarding. The council’s page does not mention day care by name, so confirm with its licensing team. Aberdeenshire is a separate council with its own licensing, so a centre outside the city boundary is a matter for Aberdeenshire Council. Ask the centre to show its licence and expiry date, how many dogs it takes at once, how dogs are separated, and what happens if your dog needs a vet.
A first day at daycare can be a lot for a sensitive dog. A calming bite is a complementary feed some owners use around change, and if your dog struggles with being left, speak to your vet or a qualified behaviourist first.
More for Aberdeen: our Aberdeen dog services hub, dog walkers in Aberdeen if you only need a midday walk, dog sitters in Aberdeen, vets in Aberdeen City and dog trainers in Aberdeen City.
Frequently Asked Questions
How did you choose which Aberdeen City dog daycare centres to list?
A centre needs its own website, a Google Maps listing, licence evidence we can see and daytime care for other people’s dogs. None met all four this time, so we list none. We haven’t visited anywhere.
Does dog daycare need a licence in Aberdeen City?
Scottish councils license boarding under the Animal Boarding Establishments Act 1963. Aberdeen City Council says a licence is needed for an animal boarding establishment and its register has a commercial day boarding category for dogs, but its page doesn’t mention day care by name. Ask the council.
What should I ask a dog daycare centre?
Ask to see the licence and its expiry date, how many dogs attend at once, how dogs are grouped, who is on site, and what happens if a dog is unwell.
Why are some well-reviewed centres missing?
We only list centres where we can see a licence that is still in date. Where the council register showed an expired entry or the centre stated no licence, we left it out rather than guess.
Written by Georgiana & Figo, who prefers his playdates to be properly licensed.
