minimum acceptable standards in boarding kennels?

zaksmum

heretolearn wrote: »

Sounds pretty normal to me. They are running a kennel, not a 'home from home'. It's usual for dogs to have a small concrete run and that's where they 'toilet'. It's nice if they have a large secure pen where the dogs can be let off the lead for a run around and play, I'd expect that at a 'luxury' kennels, not just a couple of walks.

That's how I feel. I just can't leave my dogs somewhere like that even though it is supposed to be luxury. The owner actually said to me that some kennels DO NOT allow the dogs out for a single walk all the time they stay there!!!!! Can you believe that? Is there some sort of regulatory body for boarding kennels that insists on certain standards?

I need to know my dogs have stimulation, exercise, companionship and fresh air. I know they won't be happy away from me but I want the best I can get for them.

gettingready

Zaksmum - hope you find the best place for the dogs for when you are away.

I am pretty lucky with a set up I have here I have to say.

Yes, it costs a bit but peace of mind for me and great time for Zara...

Caroline_a

Boarding kennels are regulated and licenced by the local authority, and the Animal Boarding Establishment Act. This site may help http://boardingkennels.com/regulations for info. There are good and bad kennels however - I had an incident last year when both my vet and I were both convinced that the kennels where my dog had stayed for 2 nights had drugged him. I would never use them again and have consequently spread the word, but there was no way of proving it....

chelle230

have you tried any from this list, had a nother look for you this morning http://www.merseysidepetsitters.ukpetsitters.com/

There_Goes_Trouble

zaksmum wrote: »

Of course I am more than happy to travel to get the best for my dogs, I love them to bits...but I'm on Merseyside and London really is too far,

Don't know how far you are able to travel but I know the lady that owns this company and they only employ lovely pet sitters who are all vetted and trained.

http://www.petcarers.co.uk/index.php

DogsBody

zaksmum wrote: »

The owner actually said to me that some kennels DO NOT allow the dogs out for a single walk all the time they stay there!!!!! Can you believe that? Is there some sort of regulatory body for boarding kennels that insists on certain standards?

All kennels that are licensed by their local authority have to comply with the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health (CIEH) model license conditions (Google will get you a copy , but I can't spell license so make sure you get it the right way round!). Sadly, what the owner tells you is true, in fact the CIEH are moving away from a 'kennel and exercise' regime to a 'kennel and run' regime, where the dog should have access to it's own outdoor (concrete) run, and doesn't need to be removed from it's pen for the duration.

I think this is shortsighted of the CIEH (and may well be contestable under the terms of the AWA 2006), and agree that the social contact aspect is more important to most dogs than 'proper' walks while in kennels, but you'd be horrified to find how few kennels do a good job on this score - staff to interact with the inmates cost money :mad:

Sadly, even when the owner tells you that the dogs get let out, blah, blah etc, they may be lying - my boss tells owners that the dogs are out 3x daily for 20 mins offlead play, but she is being very economical with the truth - if you go to a kennel to check it out (you should before you even consider leaving your dog there, you'll aready know that ), see if you can talk to the Dogsbody(s) without their boss being there. See if the set-up allows for the dogs to see people wandering about in the course of their 'duties' - it's not social contact as you and I would understand it, but it's better than staring at a blank wall and not seeing a soul except at feeding and 'exercise'. If your dogs are hairy, ask if they can run a brush over them daily - a 'luxury' establishment should certainly do this (I'd consider it a welfare requirement for a hairy dog), and shouldn't charge, and it ensures that your dogs get that extra few minutes a day of one-to-one contact (I do it for my hairy inmates without being asked, but boss takes a dim view because no-one is paying - she tends to run away when I start quoting the AWA though, hehehe:D)

I personally would only use a kennel which had webcam access (the fact that I can check up if I want hopefully means I shouldn't need to ).

The law requires that there always be someone on the premises at all times (living on site is enough to satisfy this), and that the dogs are visited at 'suitable intervals'. Ask what time the access to the run is closed at night - I'd not be happy either if it was 5.30 :eek:
If you manage to find somewhere that you can bear the look of, give your dogs an overnight stay before your week away, and then ask the staff about them - the more they can tell you about their character/likes/dislikes, the more attention they have paid to your dogs while they've been there. How do your dogs react to the staff - trust their response to let you know if the care has been adequate.

I could go on and on, so I'll stop now

On the plus side, your dogs should be absolutely secure in kennels, and with good care even the most stressy, fearful inmates can settle well and have a good time.

Sid_Wolf

I petsat for a guy (whos now a friend) for 40 days while he went to zimbabwe. She was dog agressive and I worked with him for a good 6 months after to help her overcome this

We've since had 3 labs over to our house for a night, the !!!!! didnt like ours, but we have lots of doors in this here houseso I just kept my !!!!! out of the way, she was on season at the time which probaby didnt help, one of the labs was an entire male, but no accidents

When are you looking to go away?? may be possible for them to come here?? My girls being spayed end of this month and my boy is neutered

zaksmum

There_Goes_Trouble wrote: »

Don't know how far you are able to travel but I know the lady that owns this company and they only employ lovely pet sitters who are all vetted and trained.

http://www.petcarers.co.uk/index.php

Again, none anywhere near Merseyside, but thanks for the link.

Tropez

I found these people based in St Helens - http://www.keepwagging.co.uk/Services.php

I would like to make it clear though, having had no experience with them, that I am not advertising, promoting or in any way recommending them but if they're anywhere near the correct area for you it can't hurt to check them out.

I once used a live-in pet sitter. It wasn't cheap but worth every penny. The agency were reputable and sent a lovely young woman over a couple of weeks before my holiday to socialise herself with my dogs. She visited for about an hour every few days so that they would be comfortable with her and when it came to the big day, she brought her own bedding (although I had already made up the spare room for her) and food (although I had left some stuff in the fridge for her out of courtesy). She seemed to genuinely enjoy being with dogs and mine certainly seemed to enjoy being with her. I received a few text messages throughout the week letting me know that everything was okay and when I got home she had even cleaned the house, put my mail in my office and watered the plants.

bethie

sometimes you can get house/petsitters to stay at your home house. I had my friend as backup incase my ex decided to bail on the house/pet sitting duties while I was on holiday.


I swear she spends more time living at other people's homes looking after their animals than living at her own home!



you may want to ask a local dog grooming salon if they have any reccomendations for pet sitters or kennels?