Portsmouth has a busy calendar for dog owners: a ferry port on the doorstep, the summer holidays, and a festival on Southsea Common over the August bank holiday. Petme sitters in Portsmouth typically charge £26 to £42 a night for home boarding, so a week away costs £182 to £294, or £238 at the £34 midpoint. The rate does not change because it is August. How many sitters still have space does.
Platform data as of October 2026.
The festival matters for a second reason. If you live in Southsea and are staying at home, a weekend of crowds and live music next door is not every dog's idea of fun. A few nights with a sitter elsewhere in the city, in Cosham or Drayton say, can be kinder than keeping a nervous dog at home.
The Portsmouth weeks to plan around
| When | Why it matters | Book |
|---|---|---|
| Late July to the end of August | English school summer holidays (dates vary by school) | As soon as your leave is confirmed |
| August bank holiday weekend | Victorious Festival on Southsea Common, which ran from 28 to 30 August in 2026 | Early, especially if you live near Southsea |
| Christmas and New Year | The PDSA warns good boarding places often get fully booked at busy times like summer and Christmas | When your dates are fixed |
Ferries, deployments and other trips
Portsmouth International Port handles around three million passengers a year, and HMNB Portsmouth is home to much of the Royal Navy's surface fleet, according to the city's Wikipedia entry. Both create trips that run to a sailing schedule rather than a school one. If your dates depend on a ship, tell the sitter that up front and agree what happens if you return a day late. It is also one of the most densely populated cities in the UK outside London. With homes packed that closely, ask a sitter about their own home: is there a garden, and where do they walk? Southsea Common, Farlington Marshes and Great Salterns are all in the city.A week away on the ferry, priced
You take a seven-night trip by ferry and leave your dog with a home boarder at the £34 midpoint.- 7 nights at £34 comes to £238.
- The same week at £26 a night is £182, and at £42 a night £294.
- Owners pay a 0% booking fee on Petme, so £238 is the bill.
- Cashback of £7.14 is credited after the completed booking.
- Typical platforms add a booking fee of about £26.18 on the same stay.
Compare sitters on dog boarding in Portsmouth. For walks or visits instead of overnight care, see dog sitters in Portsmouth.
How far ahead to book
There is no official lead time. For the summer holidays and the festival weekend, message two or three sitters as soon as your dates are firm, and arrange a meeting before the stay. Check vaccinations early too: the PDSA says unvaccinated pets will not usually be allowed to stay at boarding places, and warns against leaving kennel cough to the last minute. If your dog has never boarded, book a single trial night in a quiet month first. Kennels in and around Portsmouth set their own prices, so ask any kennel for a written total for your dates and check whether bank holidays cost more.Licensing in England
In England, boarding dogs in kennels and providing home boarding for dogs as a business are both licensable under The Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (England) Regulations 2018. Portsmouth City Council issues licences in the city, and each one carries a star rating, five being the highest. Ask to see it. Our home boarding licence guide explains more. Petme also has the Protection Plan for eligible vet costs.Portsmouth dog boarding: FAQ
What are dog boarding prices in Portsmouth?
Petme sitters in Portsmouth typically charge £26 to £42 a night for home boarding, with £34 as the midpoint. A week costs £182 to £294, or £238 at the midpoint. Each sitter's rate is shown on their profile before you book.
How much are dog kennels in Portsmouth?
Kennels set their own prices, often per dog per day, so ask each one for a written total for your exact dates. Check whether the August bank holiday or Christmas carries a supplement, and what walks are included.
Are boarding kennels in Portsmouth licensed?
They need to be. In England, kennel boarding and home boarding as a business both need a council licence with a star rating, five being the highest. Ask any Portsmouth kennel or sitter to show theirs before you book.
Is there home dog boarding in Portsmouth?
Yes. Petme sitters in Portsmouth offer home boarding, where your dog stays in the sitter's house, at £26 to £42 a night. Ask about their garden, other dogs and where they walk before you book.
