FDM Retreat is proud to announce that we have been officially approved by the local council and awarded a 4-star rating for dog day care — the highest rating available at this stage of licensing.
This achievement confirms that our luxury dog retreat in Cambridgeshire meets all required standards and all optional higher standards, demonstrating excellence in animal welfare, safety, enrichment, and operational practice.
What Does a 4-Star Council Rating Mean?
Council licensing for dog day care providers is a detailed and rigorous process. Inspections assess every aspect of how a dog day care operates, including:
- Animal welfare and wellbeing standards
- Health and safety procedures
- Staff knowledge, qualifications, and competence
- Facility design, cleanliness, and security
- Enrichment, exercise, and rest provision
- Record keeping and operational management
A 4-star rating confirms that FDM Retreat operates above the minimum legal requirements, delivering a high-quality, compliant, and welfare-led dog day care service in Cambridgeshire.ts in place to ensure dogs in our care experience a calm, safe, and enriching day.
Meeting All Higher Standards
In addition to meeting every mandatory requirement, FDM Retreat also achieved all optional higher standards set by the council. These standards are not compulsory but reflect best practice within the dog day care industry.
Higher standards focus on:
- Proactive animal welfare
- Individual care plans
- Structured daily enrichment
- Calm, well-managed group sizes
- Purpose-designed spaces that support rest and relaxation
This approach ensures dogs in our care experience a calm, enriching, and secure environment, rather than a high-volume or overstimulating setting.
Useful Links and Resources
- The Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (England) Regulations 2018
- Dog Day Care licensing: Statutory Guidance
- Animal Welfare Act 2006
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