Kennels again

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Patches

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Sorry to bore you all.

If I have a couple of garden kennels for drying off after walks or when I go out for a ride (I want to predominantly home board though due to start up costs) would these be suitable?

http://www.ideas-4-pets.com/wharfed...ed-twin-pentbar-front-run-benches-p-3651.html

I'm not sure about the wood aspect, but thought they look nice for a garden setting, opposed to brick/block built ones.

Ideally I want three, so a double one like this and a single for Harvey to use when I ride, or he is particularly muddy too. Thought it'd be better than a crate in the house for him, space wise, as he's still chewing.
 
As you say I think the wood could be an issue, I don't think it can be used at all in boarding kennels but you would probably have to check with the licensing authorities.
 
There's a kennels by us that has five little wooden kennels without any runs at all. Not sure if they are licensed though. It's called Monkey Tree (if that helps to find if they are licensed). These ones look like des res's next to theirs. Lol

I am assuming that if I have a similar thing made out of bricks or blocks I would need planning permission? All adds to the cost for doing little bits of boarding. I guess unless I know if there's a market for it, the outlay for planning as well as insurance and construction is a huge risk...especially as I'm planning on doing it to raise income as we've had our monthly income almost halved lately.
 
Always sensible. Good idea! :)

I have also book marked this page, which I thought was interesting, for the possibility that I might have something built. If I bought 2 x 2 sided runs with gates and centre divider (for example) it might not be too difficult to get someone to build a brick kennel area for the back of them and get a dividing panel for the centre of the runs?

http://www.justlovedogs.co.uk/jld/cat/d/outdoors+dog+pens+dog+runs/rid/296261/

Little UPVC windows are dirt cheap in Wickes, for instance to give ventilation to the kennel area.
 
I think you can coat the wood with perspex or similar.

Wood can harbour bacteria, is harder to clean and a lot of dogs will chew it, particularly if they suffer stress away from home.

The place where my dogs go, the kennel owner has something very similar for his own dogs, but not the boarding kennel dogs.

I wouldn't leave dogs anywhere without a run/access to fresh air, like the one you mention.

ETA the second ones you have linked are what we have, flatpack mesh runs, roofs added on, we flagged them (no cement in case we want to move them again) then you can buy and add whatever boxes you need.
 
My cattery is wood and mimics a log cabin (ship lap style):D and it's cladded with plastic cladding inside, I also have a friend who has wooden kennels like my own dog kennels (again mine look like mini posh stables, but hers is covered in perspex, so it's all washable.
 
I think they sound a good idea. The back of our workshop forms a wall in my garden so we could, in theory, quite happily utilise that as a back wall for the kennels. Could be easily tied in to and there is a drainage channel there and water/electric in close supply that could be brought to the block.

I could go for just two kennels initially, incase it didn't take off, as I'd have a kennel then for Bess and Harvey together on the lawn. If it does take off, I could just add one or two to them if I still decide I need extra.

As I have said, my intention is to predominantly home board but with the option of shutting them in the kennels if I go shopping, out riding the horse or taking the kids to PC. I can't fit all the dogs in the car with kids and tack, for example, and it wouldn't be fair to expect my older son to sit and watch the dogs whilst we were out. They'd be safe in kennels with access to move around.

It's not like we're out for hours each day, but sometimes if PC is way off I can be out for almost 3 hours.

I hope that's acceptable for owners?
 
CAYLA said:
My cattery is wood and mimics a log cabin (ship lap style):D and it's cladded with plastic cladding inside, I also have a friend who has wooden kennels like my own dog kennels (again mine look like mini posh stables, but hers is covered in perspex, so it's all washable.
Click to expand...

We get "dairy" perspex which is blue in huge sheets here. We have to use it to cover the walls of the milking parlour (including the pit where we stand) and the dairy walls where the bulk milk tank is. It has special strips to hide joins between sheets etc too. I hadn't thought about that, but if brick is better I'd have to go down that route.

Was just thinking it might make it more of a "boarding kennel" facility than the home boarding with option to shut dogs up when we go out....therefore tipping me over some crossable line with planners and licensing peeps.

Would love some pics, if people are willing to post theirs up.
 
Wood is not allowed for dogs in boarding unless all parts dogs may contact are covered in impervious cladding.
I have these -http://www.designer-kennels.com/standard-kennels/ but have oversize runs made by Canine kennels as I won't use bars and I have full wire mesh tops to prevent climbers getting over as I only solid cover 7' of a thirteen foot long run.

You would need planning permission.
 
Patches said:
We get "dairy" perspex which is blue in huge sheets here. We have to use it to cover the walls of the milking parlour (including the pit where we stand) and the dairy walls where the bulk milk tank is. It has special strips to hide joins between sheets etc too. I hadn't thought about that, but if brick is better I'd have to go down that route.

Was just thinking it might make it more of a "boarding kennel" facility than the home boarding with option to shut dogs up when we go out....therefore tipping me over some crossable line with planners and licensing peeps.

Would love some pics, if people are willing to post theirs up.
Click to expand...

I think aslong as the owners know they will be in your home and jsut out when you are they should be fine, don't get me wrong people still obviously use kennels:D but they def want a clean cosy appearence from a kennel, my clients just point blank refuse to use kennels, I think the bigger dog owners would be ok if I wanted to kennel them but the little poshies def like their home comforts (or should I say their owners like them to have:rolleyes:)
I would def be going with the type of set up my friend has if I where to switch from home boarding, her kennels are really cosy, little wood cabins completely covered in clear perspex in and out, jsut like my own kennels for my dogs but obs I dont have perspex on them:D a she did not want brick/metal or plastic cladding like in s4ugar link.
But again, you are not going to be a commercial type kennel with lots of noise, so I think that will go in your favour, as they will still get the quiet homely feel, and yes you are correct home boarding commands a premium, sometimes 3 x's as much as a kennel would cost.
 
Thanks for that s4sugar.

Will have to draw up a proper "business" plan as the start up costs with planning, licensing, insurance, advertising and construction for such a small, almost casual venture, may well exceed the potential to bring in any revenue for the first few years. Somewhat pointless when it's supposed to helping me to avoid having to sell some neddies as we've had to slash income.

I might have to face up to the reality that I'll have to sell my horse and go out to work away from the farm. I can't keep a horse in work for myself if I can't ride during the day, due to both my daughters having ponies to ride after school.

Not enough hours in the day. :rolleyes:
 
Thanks Cayla.

When I was talking to my hubby last night, he wanted me to stick to just two boarders maximum IF they are staying predominantly in the house when we're in.

I can understand that. We don't want a house full of dogs really, hubby does like some peace when he comes in from spending 18 hours every day of the year on the farm working. :)

So, the whole venture has already been scaled down from 5 to three kennels maximum....and one of them being for Harvey, not a boarding dog.

I was thinking that I could probably squeeze some crates in somewhere indoors for chewers, but if I plan to do this long term (ie not just the odd week here and there) then I'd get a bit fed up of seeing multiple crates around the house. That was the idea behind a small kennel run.

I agree that the wooden ones do have a more cosy appeal to them. I really do like the first one I linked to with the windows, flooring and pannels. IF I were to go for something more like them, I'd be able to just coat with perspex then inside and out to meet rules?

I don't want to build a block or brick building on my garden if I can get away with it as there's a possibility that I might move the kennels I put up to somewhere else (Think in-laws garden - farmhouse is divided into two - as it's bigger than mine if they are no longer around ....)
 
My friend had no issues when she was inspected re her perspex, and all aspects of the wood are covered, so she can wash them down, the bottoms of her runs are brick, about 6 heigh then mesh, they actually look much nicer than all mesh, I will try and take a picci of my own dogs kennels as hers look alot like mine.
I know what u mean re crates, I would not beable to fit crates up all over my house, thats why I converted the garage into a huge room, and if dogs need crating I can put them ip and still have a huge room around them.
 
I've just had a call from my local EHO so I asked her about home boarding.

Cayla -what you do would not be allowed here. It varies around the country but new standards are being brought in all the time.
Dogs from only one household are allowed to be boarded at any time, no overlap. Planning consent may be required required and a license is needed.

Patches - you need to speak to Environmental Health for rules specific to your area before investing any more in this venture.


I used to get a sheltie in regularly - maybe 30% of the time -so often she had her own designated kennel. I saw her owners car with signs in the rear windows saying - home boarding - don't leave you dog in a kennels!
They were placing their dog with me and charging twice as much to their clients until they got closed down.
 
Thanks s4sugar

I have called Environmental Health and they are passing my details on to the Dog Warden's Office as apparently they will be able to deal with my enquiry and point me in the right direction.

She said the biggest sticking point would be getting a change of use as some residential areas are quite anti having a business operating from a residential address/neighbourhood.

I did point out that we live on a farm and have no neighbours. Pretty sure we're listed a business and not residential property anyway.

We'll see what they come back with. I said I'd like to know what requirements I need to meet for strictly home boarding and also a small private kennelling facility, including all planning applications that would be necessary.

I am already considering not "going live" with whatever we decide until 1st January 2011 as the License runs from whenever issued until the 31st December. It would be quite a loss of license money to apply for it in July or August.
 
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I asked on another thread but can you not avail of diversification grants/assistance from your local rural partnership?

Here there is a realisation that farming is pretty much going down the tubes :( and grants are available for business plans to change the business, people have started hovercrafting busineses, farming sustainable crops for alternative fuel, accommodation, doggy daycare etc.
 
Definitely something to look into CC.

I was initially trying not to involve the farm, as a business, though. I'm assuming that if I did it that way, through diversifying, it would mean any monies would have to paid to the farm's account and be on the farm's "books"?

If that's the case, then I won't go ahead. I'm doing this to raise income for me and Duncan because the in-laws have cut his wages (Lord knows why as it just means the tax man will get more from the profits and we already paid over three times Duncan's salary in tax on profits last year!).

If it's run through the farm's name, in that way, then I will do the work and get nothing in return for it at all. I don't draw any wage from the farm and they wouldn't be remotely interested in setting me up as an employee as that would increase the farm's tax burden...in their eyes...:rolleyes:
 
Don't know how it would work but my mother's main business and our accommodation are two different business names, two different bank accounts, two separate sets of accounts etc.
 
That's how I'd do it without the use of a diversification grant. It would be my "baby", so to speak.

I'd need to delve into it and see whether diversifying would HAVE to be done under the farm's trading name as surely it's the farm they'd be giving the grant to?

No idea! I know you probably can't answer that either. It's all just words at the moment.

I'll know more when I've spoke to the dog warden and will decide where to go from there. It'd be easier to just look for part time work, but I need to be here to ride during the day at some point OR sell my horse. No time to see to cows, kids, house and the girls' riding both of their ponies after full time hours. I also want to be around for Harvey. I know others do it, but I've no intention of working long hours and leaving him at home.

Also, Duncan doesn't want me away from the farm really as I am often called upon to help at a moment's notice. I'm not always sat at the PC...honestly. :cool:
 
Our grant came to the business we set up for the accommodation. If it went straight to the farm then there would be no point, they'd just be giving money to the farm.

I have to work long hours at least a few days a week, I'd never afford vets bills otherwise :o
 
I'm conscious of any earnings being swallowed up with child care as well. It's such a difficult balance.

We're not on the bread line, not at all, but I am finding that I'm not having as many lessons and neither are the girls now. It's more important for them than me obviously.

If I could just earn a bit of money to cover the cost of the horses it would release that burden from the family finances.

I keep hankering for a paid job from the farm, but it falls on deaf ears. I'd do all the paperwork if they paid me an office wage but the father in law thinks I should do all of this for nothing anyway, so I don't volunteer to help now. Same as he thinks I should be digging over their garden, which is a tip, for not even a thanks!

I do, however, volunteer to help Duncan run around after cattle and do the milk recording for him as his dad won't pay for the milk recording place to do it for us.

Honestly...he's so miserly that it's the way he runs the business that gives them a huge tax burden. Might as well spend a bit and use some of the profits!
 
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