02/01/2024
Introduction
Whether you’re planning a holiday, a business trip, catching up with family and friends or a taking a weekend break the need and demand for pet care has increased exponentially.
Options
Realistically, as a pet owner you have several choices:-
Your pet goes too;
or
You twist the arm of family or friends;
or
You subscribe to a volunteer service where people offer to look after your dog - whether for walks or to stay over in their home. However, any insurance is often superficial and comes with a heavy excess, pet care knowledge and experience can be limited, plus it takes time to build up confidence with that volunteer;
or
You hire an appropriately experienced pet sitter to come stay in your home whilst you’re away (pet sitters are not regulated or licensed so make sure you hire someone suitably qualified and experienced; make sure you update your home and contents insurer to ensure you’re protected; provide an emergency contact name and number of someone who can make healthcare decisions in your absence; and advise your vet as well as providing the pet sitter with a ‘veterinary release form’ (which allows the pet sitter to seek veterinary care on your behalf, normally with a pre commitment by you to any veterinary expenses); and find out what happens if the pet sitter cancels at the last minute;
or
You use the services of a licensed pet carer, eg a licensed ‘home boarder’ (someone who is licensed by a local authority to look after pets in their own home) or you can use licensed ‘kennels’ (these vary considerably from celebrity owned ‘pet hotels’ complete with 4 poster beds and under floor heating to a more utilitarian setting).
Limited availability
There are an estimated 6,400 licensed home boarders in England, an estimated 1,200 in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. There are in excess of 12m dogs in the UK and some 8m cats before we consider gerbils, rabbits, ponies, snakes and the such like.
In reality there are not enough licensed boarders (home boarders or kennels) to meet the demand of pet owners at peak times.
A number of people left pet care at the height of the pandemic when holidays and breaks dried up.
In addition, the number of lockdown pups and adolescents that are not properly house trained or socialised is a real challenge so why would people want badly behaved dogs in their home? In short, we don’t.
And these behavioural challenges have resulted in more and more people deciding enough is enough and have left the profession as well as those that remain being more selective on the dogs they have to stay.
Please plan ahead
The practical reality is that there are dogs and there are dogs - a reactive dog, a dog that’s only used to being the only dog in the house or a dog that’s not fully house trained will not always be suitable to stay in someone else’s home. There are pet carers who concentrate on single household boarding so if you’re pet is used to only being on its own or just with its housemate, check them out.
Some local authorities or licensed pet care providers will not take puppies or juveniles under 6 or 12 months; some will not take dogs that have not been neutered or spayed, whilst all licensed home boarders cannot accommodate bi***es in season if they have any other dog under their roof.
As a licensed dog care provider offering home day care, home boarding and dog walking, I probably receive 10 enquiries a week, as do many fellow pet carers. Sadly I have to say ‘I’m sorry but I can’t help’ to a lot of pet owners, which is invariably down to being pre booked with limited numbers and prioritising regular customers; consideration of suitability/chemistry; or a lack of experience with a particular breed type.
Useful information
Plan Ahead
Licensed or unlicensed pet care?
For the pet carer to be paid to look after pets in the pet carer’s home or separate premises requires that person to be licensed, otherwise that person is likely committing a criminal offence with the possibility of an unlimited fine, even imprisonment and perhaps the dogs in their care being seized by the local authority. It may also mean any insurance, if it exists, is invalid. So book with care. And always ask to see a copy of their licence and their insurance.
Licensed Numbers
Some licensed home boarders are only licensed for 1 or 2 dogs so if you’re dog is ageing or reactive this might be useful. The larger home boarders, can be licensed for 4-10 dogs, very occasionally a few more.
Kennels and catteries may be licensed for 20-75 pets.
Payment
Most pet care providers will ask for a booking deposit to hold your booking - this will typically range from 25-50% of the total cost. The balance will usually need to be paid prior to the commencement of your booking.
Cancellation
If your holiday booking gets cancelled because of changes in Government policy eg Covid travel restrictions, most reasonable licensed pet carers will reimburse you 100%. And anyone who doesn’t, consider reporting them to Trading Standards. If you have to cancel for other reasons, expect to lose your booking deposit, or if it’s right to the wire, the whole amount may be forfeit.
Holiday Insurance Cover
Some holiday insurance covers you for pet care cancellation, for example, if a travel company cancels your holiday (not Covid related) - please check before booking.
The Rules
In the UK, licensed pet care providers are regularly inspected and licensed by their local authority. Umbrella legislation sets out the requirements and local authorities act as the enforcement body.
80% of the licensing rules are standardised across the country and 20% localised by each local authority.
For example, in RCT (a county in Wales) it is mandatory for a dog to be vaccinated against Kennel Cough, in other areas it might be at the discretion of the licensed pet carer. In Caerphilly, male dogs over 6 months must be neutered, yet this is not the case in many other places, who might require all dogs over 12 months to be neutered. Not every pet carer has to take only neutered dogs so ask around. It is sometimes worth checking slightly further afield for your pet care.
Vaccinations
All dogs provided care by licensed pet carers must have a current vaccination certificate for the ‘core vaccines’ or be covered by a vet certified titre test for the ‘core canine diseases’ before they can be accepted into licensed pet care.
Kennel Cough
Kennel Cough is a highly infectious ailment that can cause considerable discomfort to your pet (it can occasionally be fatal in older dogs or puppies.)
The Kennel Cough (KC) vaccine is often referred to as a ‘live vaccine’ which potentially means Kennel Cough initially can be passed on to other dogs by your dog once it has been vaccinated and therefore dependent on the vaccine manufacturer and the method of delivery, vets may advise 10, 14 or even 72 days after vaccination before a dog can mix with other dogs or be allowed into a pet care facility. So keeping on top of your dog’s KC vaccination will minimise any delays for your pet’s care. Many pet carers mandate a current KC vaccination. But be aware that many vets do not automatically provide it - it’s an available on request.
Why do pet carers take KC seriously?
Because it is highly contagious and a licensed pet carer may have to close for 14 days to ‘flush’ it out of their premises. With a serious loss of income too.
Always allow at least 14 days to elapse after your dog’s vaccinations for them to be effective and for your pet carer to be able to accept them in their care.
Meet Up & Trial
Any licensed pet carer will invariably require to meet you and your pet prior to any stay and will often require a trial before the main stay to allow for a proper assessment. This is important. Not all dogs take to their temporary new surroundings, nor are they always ideally suited and they might get stressed by it so it’s best to minimise the chances of your pet being unhappy. To trial and then make alternative plans if necessary.
Records
A licensed pet carer is required to check your pet’s vaccination certificates and to retain a copy for their own records.
Increasing your chances
If your pet care provider offers day care and home boarding that can help secure a space. Because of the pressure on dog boarding spaces, particularly with home boarding, priority will often be given to dogs who are already booking day care services with the pet carer and who are regular customers. So it is worth considering booking your dog in regularly for day care. The exercise, enrichment and play with other dogs can be a real bonus.
Kennels - ‘Dog Hotels’
Some kennels now position themselves as ‘dog hotels’, some with personal 4 poster beds and some offer a kind of day care during the day so if your preferred home boarder or pet sitter isn’t available or if your dog is best suited to that kind of environment, don’t forget to check them out.
Before booking
Before you book your pet into any pet care, meet the pet carer, see photos or videos of their facility, quiz them, ask to see their insurance and local authority licence (licensed pet carers only) and ask about their qualifications and experience.
Where to find a pet carer
Your local authority normally has a list of licensed pet carers in your area - getting it off them isn’t always a walk in the park however.
Ask your existing (licensed) boarder if they’ can point you in the right direction. Ask your trusted dog walker, family and friends. Google and Facebook your local area and community hubs for ‘dog boarding’, ‘dog home boarding’, ‘kennels near me’ or ‘pet sitter’, but don’t take everything at face value.
Question the potential pet carer, ask to see their licence (boarders) and insurance. It’s your pet and their care, and their welfare and happiness matters.
Several pet care organisations have details of their licensed members which are available on line:-
Association of Dog Borders
Dog Care Professionals UK
Another useful website is: FindPetBoarding.co.uk.
At your own risk
These website platforms don’t comprehensively check pet carers or whether they’re licensed to offer boarding services, so ALWAYS ask to see their boarding licence if that’s the service you want:
Rover
Tailster
Bark
Pawshake
Finally , we all have our preferences and people we trust with things that matter, and whilst it may take a little time and a few trials, find the right pet carer for you and your pet.
Not just for this break but build that relationship and familiarity over time, for the comfort of your own pet and for your own peace of mind.
Good luck
Randle
Randle runs MyWaggyTails, a licensed home boarding, home day care and dog walking pet care business covering Pontyclun, Llantrissant and Beddau areas in South Wales. He also runs the Dog Business School - helping people set up and grow their own dog businesses. MyWaggyTails.co.uk/South-Wales
