Basically what I do is take dogs in to my home for their holidays. Drop off is at an agreed appointment time (8-8.30 if you wish to join us for walkies) before 4.00pm latest, and collection time is at an agreed appointment time after 10.00am and before 5.00pm latest.
If they are coming to have a long stay some people like to book their dogs in for day care or a ‘sleep over” to get used to the place first. Walkies is usually twice daily (weather permitting) - this is, of course, optional. I do ask for a meet and greet first to make sure everyone is happy and gets along and that I think the dog will be ok. This usually takes about half an hour (to calm the owner down . . . they can be a bit excitable sometimes) by which time I’ll know everything will be fine and the owner can complete my registration form which I need for my insurance. I really appreciate owners who are honest with me and dob their dogs in, as knowing their naughty habits in advance helps me to avoid problems. Fore-warned is fore-armed! There is nothing that your dog does which you need to be embarrassed about telling me, as having owned dogs for the last 30 years or so, means there isn’t much I haven’t had to deal with, in one form or another, from my own dogs at some point!
I am licensed to board 12 dogs but generally I take up to five dogs at a time (In addition to my four) but more usually three or four. As they are in my home the places available are very limited as they are not in kennels so I’m finding I do get very booked up so early booking is recommended for these times to avoid disappointment.
“The Best - not very - Exotic Doggy Hotel” has now been established officially since August 2015, but have been pet sitting for considerable longer on a casual basis for friends . . . and then friends of friends etc. It really started when I left my job at the vets (where I had worked for 16 years) a few years ago now, to renovate my cottage and do my artwork. As I was at home all day, and have lots of friendly dogs myself, I was increasingly being asked to take care of people’s dogs as the general consensus seemed to be that they would rather use me (the penniless artist) than put their beloved pooches in kennels. I am obviously a dog nut to start with, have a lot of experience with dogs both medically and training wise (especially gun dogs my old boy was an Open dog and a bit of a champion in his day) although nothing official in the way of pieces of paper, so I don’t offer professional guidance, just friendly help. I am, however, a qualified Equine Nursing Technician and did a pet nutrition course when I worked at the vets so first aid and feeding is covered! I have a Certificate in Canine Care and Welfare SEG Award Level Three and in Canine Care and Behaviour with the Cambridge Institute of Behaviour and Training.
My original career was as an artist and I qualified as a wildlife illustrator about 30 years ago now. I love doing pet portraits either in acrylics or oils and I have found that doing my artwork mixes nicely with my Doggy Hotel business giving me an interesting balance. Working at home - either painting pets or walls - allows me to give the dogs in my care a lot of attention as I am there for them. This is a big advantage over kennels, especially for the sensitive ones who suffer from separation anxiety, as they get lots of contact and companionship with both me and the other dogs. As they get to mix it with lots of other dogs it is very good for their socialisation as well as having a decent amount of exercise, which again they wouldn’t be able to get if they were in kennels. I like them to bring their own food so that they stay on their own normal routine diet too. The visiting dogs can stay with me and my pack all the time if they choose to and have the run of the house and garden. I also have a room which I have now dedicated as a ’dog’ room . This is proving very handy for drying off in when everyone comes back from walkie muddied and soggy - it’s very snuggly - or it can also be made available for any visiting dog(s) who prefer their own company and need their own space.
So far the dogs that have stayed at the Hotel all seem to have settled in well once they get to know the place. Dogs love routine so once they know what happens when they generally start enjoying themselves. They usually find the first day or two a bit exciting and nerve racking as they are not sure what is going on but, once they get the hang of it, I find they begin to relax and their appetite - if it has been repressed by initial nerves/overexcitement - returns to normal (or even increases if they are having more exercise!) Consequently some dogs, as a result of playing lots and not wanting to eat so much, go home a little slimmer and fitter than when they arrived. I think I should mention I have found that the guest dogs are usually very tired when they get back to their own home as all the excitement tends to catch up with them and they may well flop for a day or two. This is particularly noticeable if they only stay for 3 or 4 days as they usually spend the first couple of days of their stay being overexcited and learning the ropes, so by the time they go home that haven’t had enough time to settle in and chill out properly. They then get excited to see their owners all over again and, as a result, go splat and sleep for the next two days. Please bear this in mind if you have children who may be very excited themselves to see their pet again and want to play with them - your dog may need a bit of a rest to recover first! The more often or longer the dog stays, the quicker they settle in and rest whilst they are here, which mitigates this somewhat.
I am often asked if they have missed their owners which is difficult to answer - yes I think they do a bit and certainly some seem to more than others - but dogs live very much in the moment so still have fun and generally make the most of their immediate situation. They are always happy to see their Hoomums & Hoodads however - although I still think their owners suffer more from the separation . . . I know I do. Because of this I like to send my owners texts occasionally to reassure them their mutley is having a good time and still in one piece. Please be assured that if I have any problems whatsoever - especially where a dog’s health is concerned - I will contact the dog’s owners or their nominated representative and inform them, especially if I feel veterinary advice or attention is required. I know that leaving a much loved pet and family member in my care requires quite a bit of trust and I am fully appreciative of the responsibility that this entails. In short, I will look after and love your dog as if it were one of my own whilst he or she is a guest in my home.
And for your information . . .
Please note that deposits for holidays are non-refundable as I only have limited spaces at the Hotel. Short notice cancellations of eight weeks or less will require payment for the booking in full. Also be aware that if you request dates they will not be secured until your deposit is paid, so be aware that if you delay payment of your deposit then your reservation is not guaranteed until the deposit is received, and you could potentially lose your booking.
I really appreciate it if you can let me know your drop off and collection times (and try to stick to them if you can please!) in advance as this helps me to organise my day too, thanks. (Yes, sometimes I do ‘stuff’ too . . . Get me.) Texts are great. (Hint). Especially if they are during my ‘office’ hours (between 11am and 4pm) when I might get a chance to sit down with my laptop - you can, of course text me anytime . . . but don't expect an immediate response, especially if it's to do with booking in, until I'm back near my computer and out of bed, the bath, the pub, from walkies, or wherever.
Oh and make sure you bring enough, if not extra, food for your darling’s stay - I will give you back any not used, promise. If I run out I will charge you £4.50/kg per meal I need to provide . . . and if I’m feeling evil I could even give your dog “B***rs” before it goes home so that it pings off your walls . . .ok?!. No, not really. I don't need beds or crates etc brought - just a blanket/snuggle if you wish - as I have plenty for them to choose from (and I've discovered they never seem to sleep in their own anyway). I also have lots of bowls including slow-down ones for the enthusiastic eaters. I use my own leads too . . . in a bid not to lose yours.
The guests will get to wear a Hotel collar with my mobile number and postcode printed on it just in case they try and go AWOL, - as I feel it is better if I go and collect them, rather than you, especially if you are abroad at the time, as it's quicker that way.
Any naughty doggy who forgets themselves and causes damage or piddles/poops excessively etc will also land its owner with a repair or cleaning bill . . . you have been warned!
Finally, please bear in mind the less you give me in the way of doggy accoutrements (label them if necessary), the less I can lose/destroy/give to the wrong Hooman etc - help me out by checking you have everything you have given me (including your dog - refer back to "Swiss Cheese Brain") when you check out . . .! If you insist on bringing toys they may well not be returned . . . not in one bit anyway. There may be lots of fluff instead. The squeaker will get eaten. Treats are always shared between everyone as I'm not mean enough to give one dog bickies and not the others especially if they are watching. And they know, trust me.
The Best - not very - Exotic Doggy Hotel : terms & conditions
• Payment for care: - Full fees for period of care booked (minus any deposit already paid) are payable at the time of the pet’s stay, unless payment is being made by direct bank transfer which will need to be done in advance of arrival.
• A non-refundable Deposit of £10 per day booked is required for stays payable at time of booking to secure dates required. Short notice cancellations within four weeks of a booking will require payment in full.
• Day Care: - day care is any number of hours care as agreed between 7.30am onwards and 5pm - 48 hours notice of cancellation is required for day care otherwise a surcharge of £10 will be incurred.
• Late collection: - unauthorised overdue collection of your pet may incur a £10 surcharge.
• Additional costs: - The owner shall be responsible for payment of vets fees, and/or other costs (e.g food, medicines, transport) incurred on the pets behalf during their stay.
• control off lead: - If an owner agrees to the dog being exercised off lead, the owner shall assume full responsibility in the event of any loss or damage, howsoever caused.
• damage: - the owner undertakes to reimburse any damage to the carer’s home or possessions that could not reasonably be anticipated or avoided from the information given on the registration form. Dogs that prove not to be house-trained may incur a discretionary surcharge to cover cleaning costs.
• aggression: - if the dog is unreasonably aggressive or uncontrollable it will need to be collected by the owner or their representative within 5 hours of notification or it will be relocated to the nearest suitable boarding kennels at the owner’s expense.
• health emergency: - in the event of an emergency I reserve the right to make decisions regarding the dog’s health, if reasonable efforts to contact the owners contact numbers have failed, provided it is in the best interest of the dog and is on the advice of a veterinary surgeon. in the event of a major emergency I will take the dog immediately to the nearest vets (which for my address is Pets Ltd Newnham Court, Bearsted Rd, Weavering, Maidstone Kent ME14 5EL 01622 734555). for minor ailments I will, if possible, take the dog to it’s usual vets.
• restrictions: - entire male dogs and bitches in season are not permitted except in special circumstances and by signed agreement. I reserve the right to refuse boarding a dog if I feel it will be unduly stressed in this environment or is in any way incompatible with my own dogs.
• advice: - I do not give professional advice on dogs diet, behaviour, health care or training, and cannot be held liable for any comments or remarks made on these matters in casual conversation.