Licensing. Why does it matter?
All Cities and Towns have their own by-laws that regulate business, including dog boarding businesses. These by-laws set requirements that boarding facilities must follow, including:
Safety Guidelines and Requirements
Cleaning Guidelines and Requirements
Air Quality Guidelines and Requirements
Note that most home boarding business are not licensed. Why? Because most cities and towns have by-laws that prevent the boarding of dogs in a home environment. The concern with home boarding relates to the ability to sterilize the space (can floors be power washed, is there proper drainage), as well as air quality (air exhaust and exchange systems need to be powerful enough to address fur, dust, and contaminants in the air).
You have the right to ask the boarding facility to see their Town or City license to operate, and it is a good idea to do so.