Home boarding costs etc.

[wills_91]

Oh the stress.

Going to the states in July, we had a family member who was going to stay at the house with the dogs - ideal - but now not sure if that's going to happen so preparing for a back up. We have 3 dogs (one old dear, but I'm sure will still be with us then) and I'm not sure she or the youngsters will cope with a kennel environment. Going to look into professional house sitter or someone that takes them at their own home, can anyone recommend any websites? Are these kind if things licensed, what should I look out for? And what kind of price would we be looking at, or like everything else does it depend in your location?

 

[babymare]

Our Tess hated kennels so we set about looking for home from home boarding ( in their home) we looked on facebook and searching locally and found the loveliest couple. Basically anything your dog does at home they can do with the couple eg( sleep on bed but Tess doesnt.) We went to meet them at their home and instantly loved them. They were such dog lovers. They are limited to 4 dogs and yes they are licensed by the council. We needed to fill in a form with all details about Tess - vaccines, microchip etc and things she likes doesnt like, our contact details. Cost is more than kennels at £28.00 but it is worth every penny getting photos of her snuggled up with them on sofa and playing with other dogs. Think proof in pudding is Tess gets so excited when we pull up at the house They are such a lovely kind couple and I go away comfortable and content our Tess is well looked after and loved ( which I never relaxed when she was in kennels. Not knocking kennels they simply weren’t right for Tess)

 

[ihatework]

Around my way 24h home-bording with a professional/licensed/insured set up is aound £30/day with discounts for extra dogs from same household. Under the radar set ups (take your chances!) £15-20 per day.

Housesitting depends a lot on your expectations (and again, the level of professionalism). I pay non-professional acquaintances £30 a day for 2 dogs/cats/chickens but they can bring their own dog and also mine can be left for periods which allows them to earn/work around house sitting.

 

[wills_91]

Thank you for replies. We won't be scrimping on it, I've budgeted around £600 for 5 nights, but happy to increase it if that's what's needed. If it was someone staying in our house then the dogs are fine to be left alone for a couple of hours at a time they are well used to this, unfortunately there is nobody local who offers this kind of service. Our old dog wouldn't tolerate a visiting dog which pretty much rules out friends and family. This is why we rarely holiday abroad our young dog is a big fellow and will be around 15 months when we go so I'm really hoping to find an experienced professional.

 

[Spotherisk]

Kennels, we have a friend who will take the dogs at a cheap cost.

24 hour house sitting, four dogs, one in the house and three kennelled, is £45 per day. I’m happy with that cost as it’s generally a day here and there, not a fortnights holiday (I wish!)

 

[Rowreach]

I've often wondered about an (unofficial) HHO house swap/house sitting service. I'm really stuck about going away. I hate putting the dogs in kennels, they come back hoarse, a bit smelly, and the old dog can't cope any more and the JRT comes back twice the size he went, even though I tell them he's a porker and not to let him eat anyone else's food.

I'd love to find a local person to look after them in their own home, but I've had no luck. I sometimes work away, and I rely on one or other of the offspring to be able and willing to come home and look after them for a day/night. I'd love to be able to go away for longer and be relaxed about the care of all the animals (horses are fine).

 

[Spotherisk]

I've often wondered about an (unofficial) HHO house swap/house sitting service. I'm really stuck about going away. I hate putting the dogs in kennels, they come back hoarse, a bit smelly, and the old dog can't cope any more and the JRT comes back twice the size he went, even though I tell them he's a porker and not to let him eat anyone else's food.

I'd love to find a local person to look after them in their own home, but I've had no luck. I sometimes work away, and I rely on one or other of the offspring to be able and willing to come home and look after them for a day/night. I'd love to be able to go away for longer and be relaxed about the care of all the animals (horses are fine).

I’ve found two recently, one is a local girl just half a mile from us. I’d seen her on fb, stalked her a bit and discovered I’d seen her riding close by, and we have a mutual friend who I’ve asked about her. She has all the paperwork, licences etc. The other has been teaching me and my dog agility for the last 18 months - other people I train with recommended her to me. I’ve never had someone stay in the house whilst we’re away so was a bit windy about addressing it but feel happier now it’s someone I’ve known for a while (the second one), that I’ve seen with multiple dogs too.

 

[Chiffy]

Have you looked at the Holidays for Dogs website? Home boarding in private homes all over the country. I found one near mE, a great success and my dogs have been beautifully looked after many times.

 

[wills_91]

Have you looked at the Holidays for Dogs website? Home boarding in private homes all over the country. I found one near mE, a great success and my dogs have been beautifully looked after many times.

Thanks I will have a look at that website. We go to a local dog training club so I will ask there, I don't know why I didn't think to ask last night.