Questions you might have |
If the answer isn’t here, do get in touch. We’re really looking forward to meeting everyone in our new community and we’re happy to answer any of your questions.
Can I come and view the facility?
Of course! Where possible we would like to meet you and your dog before they come to stay with us. Call to make an appointment and we will show you around. What will my dog be doing all day? Check out our enrichment programme to see what exciting things your dog will be up to each day! How much does it cost? Contact us and we can let you know our boarding rates. Payment can be made by Internet banking, cheque or cash and we do ask that payment is made before or at the time you drop your dog off with us. What is your cancellation policy? We have a limited number of spaces available for boarding. A confirmed booking means that a space is reserved for your dog and cannot always be filled by another dog at short notice. We request 48 hours’ notice if you need to cancel and we may charge for the first day your dog was booked in for. What are the drop off and pick up times? Morning drop off and pick up times are 7.30am to 9am Afternoon drop off and pick up times are 4.30pm to 6pm We will arrange a convenient time for you to pick up and drop off your dog within these times. Please let us know if you need to be earlier or later than your booked time. We try to make arrivals and departures as calm as possible, and we arrange the day with these events in mind. How long can my dog stay for? Your dog can stay for as many or as few days as you wish. You do need to book in advance though, as we only have a small number of spaces available. What if my dog has medical issues or requires medication? We are very happy to medicate your dog for you at no extra cost. We have experience administering oral medication (liquid and pill form), subcutaneous injections (such as vaccinations), flea and worm treatments and eye and ear medications. If your dog has a contagious illness they will not be able to attend, as we do not have quarantine facilities. If your dog has a serious injury or ongoing health issues that restrict their activities, please call and have a chat with us. We may be able to accommodate them and still make sure they get to take part in aspects of our daily programme. We have a separate area where dogs on cage rest can be housed and we can provide them with plenty of love, cuddles and low-impact enrichment activities. Will you feed my dog? Whether your dog is boarding overnight or for a longer time we will happily adhere to your dog’s feeding structure, whether it’s once, twice or more daily. We ask that you supply enough food for your dog’s stay with us, as experience has shown us that sudden changes in diet can give dogs stomach upsets and keeping their food familiar helps to settle them in an unfamiliar environment. We use treats with the dogs, so we can discuss any food restrictions or requirements your dog may have at the time of enrolment. What vaccinations does my dog need? We require all dogs to have been vaccinated for the following:
Please be aware that the kennel cough vaccination, like the human flu vaccine, protects against only certain strains of the virus. Kennel cough is a risk for dogs in group environments. If we suspect a dog has kennel cough, we will isolate it and request you get a vet check up. Dogs with kennel cough will need to stay at home until they have been given the all clear by a vet. We also suggest that you treat your dog regularly for fleas, ticks and worms. Will my dog come home clean and pristine? Because our philosophy involves dogs exploring their natural instincts and environment they might come home with the odd grass stain on their knee, or a piece of hay in their fur at a jaunty angle! But if your dog is incredibly muddy or has rolled in something unpleasant we will bath and dry them. Brushing the dogs is a regular part of their experience during chill out time (if they enjoy it!). If your dog has specific grooming needs, please have a chat with us about what we can do to accommodate it. How will you keep my dog safe? We apply the same safety rules to our boarding dogs as we do to Flick and Holly:
What if my dog gets hurt? We certainly hope this won’t happen and will do everything we reasonably can to prevent it. In case of illness or injury we will inform you straight away and get your dog medical attention as soon as possible. Sarah is companion animal first aid trained and is able to assist in an emergency until the dog can be taken to a vet. We record any injuries and we encourage you to raise any concerns with us. What if my dog doesn’t like other dogs? We have extensive experience mixing dogs with other dogs. At the SPCA we were often working with dogs that had been poorly socialised with other dogs and people, so it’s something of a special skill we have developed. We introduce dogs to each other carefully one-on-one at first and then in small selected groups. Flick and Holly are also very experienced at helping to integrate new dogs into the group. What if my dog has trouble settling in? You can expect that your dog might find the first day a little overwhelming, although many dogs happily join in the fun within the first few minutes. But we are very experienced at working out what makes a dog feel relaxed and comfortable and will do whatever we need to help them to settle. The enrolment form you fill out also helps us to gain a good understanding of your dog’s lifestyle and preferences. Will my dog be supervised? Absolutely. The only time dogs may be left unattended for short periods is if everyone is safe in their individual crate or kennel. Dogs will never be left uncontained and unsupervised. At night, dogs sleep individually in crates or kennels (unless otherwise requested for dogs from the same family). If there are dogs boarding with us, the property will never be left unattended overnight. Do contact us with any other questions you may have. |