Your questions answered

How much does it cost to board my dog?

Prices as at August 2009 :-
1 dog                          £ 11.75 per day
2 dogs sharing              £ 20.50 per day
3 dogs sharing              £ 28.75 per day

For other multiple occupancies please enquire for a price. Please note that we charge by the day which includes the day of arrival and the day of departure.

When can I visit the kennels to look round prior to booking?

The kennels is open for viewing every day between 10.00am and 3.00pm. You don’t need an appointment and we would encourage you to bring your dog(s)  with you when you visit.

What do I need to bring with my dog?

We provide beds, bedding and dishes for your dog during boarding so you don’t need to bring these items with you. Having said that if you feel your dog would settle better in its own bed and/or bedding please feel free to bring it along. You can also bring any favourite toys  along but we would ask you please NOT to bring any balls of tennis ball size or smaller as these often end up literally ‘down the drain’! To help your dog settle in it is a good idea to bring something of your own, for example an old worn t-shirt or a pillowcase that smells of you so that your dog is surrounded by familiar smells.

Do I have to bring my dog’s own food ?

There are so many brands of dog food on the market that it is impossible for us to stock them all! We do however stock as standard Burns, VHC Hypo-allergenic premium dry food and Meat and Mixer which includes Butchers, James Wellbeloved pouches and Chappie . Please ensure that you discuss your dog’s dietary requirements with us so that the most suitable menu can be prepared. We are happy for you to bring your own food if you prefer and we have fridges and freezers to store your dogs food if required.

What time can I drop my dog off at the Kennels?

We prefer dogs to be dropped off for boarding between 10.00am and 3.00pm. This is because we are very busy in the kennels outside these times. However we will do our best to accommodate your requirements and will accept dogs for boarding outside of these times by prior arrangement. In the winter months we would ask you to bring your dog into the kennels as early as possible to allow them to settle in before bedtime.

Does my dog need to be vaccinated?

The simple answer here is YES! Your dog must have its annual boosters up to date otherwise we cannot accept it into the kennels—please remember to bring your dog’s vaccination records with you, either when booking or on arrival for boarding. We will take a photocopy of your records which we will keep on site and will only require to see it again when your dog has had its next vaccinations.We also require you to have your dog vaccinated against Kennel Cough. This is an infection that is caused by a mixture of bacteria and viruses and like the human flu it regularly mutates. It is possible for your dog to catch Kennel Cough wherever there are several dogs together (just like human flu) such as training classes, grooming parlours, boarding kennels dog shows and so on. The incubation period for this disease is from 3 to 7 days so it is possible that a dog booking in for boarding may appear perfectly healthy on arrival but then just a few days later may become quite ill. The main symptoms are coughing—some dogs just have a slight cough but others, especially the very young and very old may be come quite poorly. We are aware that some dogs are unable to have the vaccine but please speak to your vet and where possible ensure that you dog has its kennel cough vaccine at least 10 days prior to boarding.

What if my dog needs  to be given medication during boarding?

We are happy to administer any medication your dog may require during boarding. A medication chart will be drawn up, under your instructions, on arrival for boarding which you will be required to sign in order to give us authority to administer the medication to your dog. Only our fully trained staff will administer medication. 

What if my dog becomes ill whilst boarding?

If your dog becomes ill during boarding we will seek veterinary advice. Our Vet is on call 24 hours a day and visits the kennels regularly. Your dog is fully covered by our insurance both during its stay and for the following 48 hours. We treat our boarding dogs as we would treat our own dogs—if they need to be seen by a vet then we will ensure they do so.

Will my dog play out with the other dogs?

Your dog will be able to see, hear and smell the other dogs in the kennels whilst boarding. We never allow boarding dogs to mix with each other—it is against our licensing regulations to do so. However if your friends’ or family’s dogs are boarding at the same time and you wish your dogs to be allowed to play together then you must advise us, in writing, and give us authority to do so.

How can I contact the kennels when I am on holiday?

You may contact us by telephone—either the land line numbers or our mobile number—07752309083 or by e-mail—enquiries@holmewoodkennels.co.uk.

Please do try and contact us during normal working hours!!

Can I book my dog in to kennels by e-mail?

Yes—simply e-mail us your requirements and we will confirm your booking by e-mail. You will receive a copy of the booking confirmation and the invoice or we will contact you within 48 hours to confirm any additional details that may be required.  booking form

It helps us to plan your dog’s stay if you confirm your booking by sending the confirmation slip back to us. It is also very helpful if you can give us an indication of your anticipated time of arrival. 

What should I do if I need to cancel a booking?

We fully understand that circumstances may change and you may need to cancel your booking. Please let us know as soon as possible if you need to cancel as we only have 36 kennels and once they are booked we have to turn people away. However we do have a ‘standby’ list so that should we get a cancellation we can advise another customer that a kennel has become vacant.

How can I pay for my dog’s stay in kennels?

We normally ask you to pay your invoice on arrival for boarding. You may pay by cash, cheque or card. However if you are paying on collection of your dog we are unable to accept cheques as a payment method.

Can my dog have a bath/be groomed whilst boarding?

We recommend that you take advantage of our discounted bathing rates while your dog is boarding—please enquire for prices.

We have our own ‘state of the art’ grooming salon on site and Claire our qualified groomer is happy to discuss your dog’s grooming requirements.

Did you Know?

The Control of Dogs Order 1992 states that every dog must wear a collar and tag displaying the name and address of the owner whilst on a highway or a public place. And

The Animal Health Act 1981 states that the owner of a dog or the person in charge, maybe charged with an offence if the dog is without a collar and tag on a highway or public place. And

The local authority has the power to seize the dog and treat as a stray under section 149 of the Environment Protection Act 1990, with exception to registered guide dogs and official working dogs.

And

The Road Traffic Act 1988 states that It is an offence to have a dog on a designated road without it being held on a lead. Dogs travelling in vehicles should not be a nuisance or in any way distract the driver during a journey.