Dog Kennel Buildings

Before beginning to assemble your kennel, a few things must be addressed. For starters, you will need to obtain any licenses or permits necessary to operate a commercial dog kennel building in your area. Additionally, as is the case with any new building being constructed, zoning requirements and local building codes must be followed.

A building permit will usually be required for your new structure. For more details, see our page on building code requirements.

For a more in-depth look at the planning stage, see our guide to planning a metal building project.

Federal Rules for Housing and Sheltering Animals

To protect all animals and ensure they live in a happy, healthy environment, the government has set forth several rules and regulations that relate to the housing and caging of animals. These laws were put into place in 1970 and still stand relatively unaltered today.

Condition of Animal Living Spaces

The majority of federal regulations address the design and layout of animal shelters. All shelters and housing facilities must be “maintained in good repair,” meaning all structures must be structurally sound, all windows and doors must open, close, and lock correctly, and any interior or exterior damage must be repaired in a timely manner.

It’s not only the exterior and structure of the building for dogs that is important but also the interior. All interior walls and ceilings must be painted. The entire structure must be cleaned on a regular basis and be made entirely from non-hazardous materials. If you are considering placing cages in your commercial dog kennel building, there must be enough cages to house each dog individually, and all animals must have enough space inside the cage to stand freely, lay down, and turn around.

Dogs must also be given room to exercise and play both indoors and outdoors. Playpens, or “runs” as they are referred to in legal documentation, must be ten feet long, and the minimum width required varies based on the size of dogs housed in the kennel.

Living facilities must also provide adequate shelter from the heat and bad weather. These shelters must be large enough that all dogs can stay completely dry and maintain a healthy body temperature.

Necessities for Healthy Living

Beyond just the size and dog kennel design, an appropriate kennel facility must also provide certain necessities for the animals. First, off the structure, be well lit; a source of light, equal to 30 candlepower or more, from either natural or man-made sources, must be present at all times.

Cold and hot water shall always be available from a source within the shelter. Commercial dog kennel buildings themselves shall be clean, and the routine removal of dirt and waste should take place every night. In addition, the kennel must always be at a reasonable, comfortable temperature.

Boarding and Shelter Licenses

On top of providing adequate boarding facilities, some states also require kennel owners to possess a boarding or shelter license. Most states have their own Animal Welfare Act, which will specify whether or not a license is needed in your state and how to procure one. Licenses cost between $25 and $100 dollars to obtain and must be renewed yearly. Most applications require proof of the health of your animals, documented no more than 30 days prior. These licenses may also require proof that living conditions and kennels are compliant with all federal and local regulations.

Some states with stricter laws about the boarding of animals may also require a phone or on-site interview with the owner. During an on-site interview, all housing facilities must already be built with all areas available for the inspector to walk through. Records of these interviews will be kept on file, and the owner of a kennel may be subject to subsequent inspections in any complaints. Some licensees may also have their license revoked upon receiving a complaint and will not be eligible to reapply for another license for 365 days. Listed below are states which require one or both licenses.

States Requiring Boarding or Shelter Licenses for Commercial Dog Kennels

Special Circumstances for Owning a Kennel by State

Colorado: If the owner of a kennel or animal boarding facility is the recipient of a complaint documented by an authority, they are subject to investigation and may be convicted of a civil penalty, which can result in a fine of up to $1000 per violation.

Georgia: If a person owning a kennel or animal shelter fails to obtain a license, they are subject to being convicted of a misdemeanor. If animals are to be sold or adopted by anyone not directly affiliated with the shelter itself, it must be guaranteed beyond reasonable doubt that all animals are in good health.

Indiana: Dogs may not be kept in a cage with a wire floor unless a structure keeps the dog off the wiring. All dogs must be taken outside for a run at least once per day.

Louisiana: No one person shall keep more than 75 dogs over the age of one year old at any time. If found to violate this regulation, the owner is subject to conviction of a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of up to $500- or six months imprisonment.

Nebraska: State authorities may suspend an owner’s license or file an injunction or restraining order at any time, with reasonable cause, against any individual who has violated the state’s standards or animal care or who makes threats to violate regulations. All animal handlers must wash their hands immediately before handling sick animals, and sick animals are to be taken to a licensed veterinarian within a reasonable time. Dogs must be given the opportunity to socialize daily.

Pennsylvania: All kennels must be equipped with a smoke alarm and adequate means to extinguish a fire. All dogs must visit a licensed veterinarian at least once in a six-month period, and all kennels and housing structures are to be inspected at least twice per year.

When planning and designing the layout for commercial dog kennel buildings, you will need to consider the following:

• How many dogs do you plan to house in the kennel, and what proportion of large and small enclosures will you need?
• For large dogs, you will typically need 5'x4' enclosures; if enclosed, runs are required; these must be 5'x6' in size.
• You should plan for 3'x3' enclosures for small dogs and 3'x4' enclosed runs (if required).
• For feed storage, you should allow for a room of approx. 5'x7'
• Will you need office space?
• Will you need a washing and grooming station?

For inspiration, see our professional dog kennel designs.

When selecting a building for your kennel, it is important to ensure that it provides enough space to accommodate both your current clientele and any potential new furry guests. Depending on your location, specific size requirements may be mandated by your state for each dog run or enclosure, based on the dog's size.

For instance, the Official State of Connecticut website stipulates that indoor or outdoor runs must be at least 10 feet long and 36 inches wide for dogs weighing up to 45 pounds. The minimum width requirement for dogs weighing over 45 pounds is increased to 48 inches. Similarly, inside pens must provide at least five square feet of space for dogs weighing 25 pounds or less, nine square feet for dogs weighing between 25 and 45 pounds, and 16 square feet for dogs over 45 pounds.

It is important to adhere to these regulations to meet legal requirements and ensure the safety and comfort of the animals in your care. By providing sufficient space, you can create a pleasant and stress-free environment for your furry clients, which can lead to positive feedback and repeat business.

With average standard size kennel/runs measuring 5’x10’ and 3'x7', here are some typical building dimensions for varying sizes of K9 facilities.

Pre-built dog kennel buildings arrive on-site as a steel building kit package with plans, build instructions, and components required for your new structure. You can either erect the building yourself or hire a local general contractor to facilitate construction.

For additional details, see our page on the build process.

Outfitting Your Kennel

Filling out your kennel with the correct kennel-run areas is essential for a dog’s comfort and health, but what about the larger area? Of course, the basic needs must be addressed: Lighting, cold water, shelter, proper ventilation, and cleaning.

Multiple flooring options are recommended to give the dogs in your care the best experience. In the general area, uncovered, poured concrete is the best floor surface to maintain a sanitary kennel. In cages and other areas of the enclosure,  rubber matting works wonders for an older dog with joint issues.

Interior Finishing

Things such as cages & runs, water, ventilation, and flooring are necessities when opening a dog kennel business. However, if you’re looking to go the extra mile for your guests, there are a few things you can accessorize the kennel with.

Air filtration will have to be considered. Most facilities now use a combination of both UV air filters and plasma filters to help remove airborne pathogens and viruses from the air as quickly and safely as possible.

Air conditioning & heating. Plan to have these installed professionally. You may also want to consider the option of underfloor radiant heating as this can usually be a more economical option, and, as we all know, animals prefer laying on a heated surface. This would only be required for the indoor portion of the kennel/run.

Hot and cold running water will be required for the dog washing station.

Smoke detectors & emergency lighting will be required for potential fires and power outages

Drainage. Each run will need to be fitted with drainage for easy cleaning and sanitization.

Play areas are commonplace in most boarding facilities and other kennels, but those larger areas can be outfitted even further. Dog runs or agility courses help to keep exercise a regular part of their day during their stay. Going even further, something like a small pool can provide the dogs an area to interact, have fun, and cool down all at once.

The Safety of the Dogs, Staff & Owners

Once your kennel is assembled and outfitted, there are two other important tasks to accomplish before you start welcoming guests and customers.

Incidents can occur with any group of animals kept within a confined space. Whether that’s a bite on a staff member or a fight between two dogs, liability insurance is crucial to operating your kennel with the safety of everyone involved in mind.

The second task is to organize and finalize a plan for an emergency. An unexpected evacuation can be a catastrophe for a kennel with dozens of dogs and no clear plan. Even an emergency trip to the vet can be a major headache without planning ahead. For the safety of the animals and the peace of mind of the staff, be sure to have an emergency plan mapped out, and make sure all staff are well versed in it.