Holiday care for dogs?

[SwirlyWhirly]

We usually go on our holidays within the uk so dog can come with us. Next year we are planning a two week hol abroad.
We have no family who will have him for that long. For some reason I don't like the thought of kennels he is very much a family dog(soppy and spoilt) and I dont think he would settle.
He is a five yr old black lab, soft as butter and I would love for him to be looked after in a family home.
Is this stupid, do organisations like this exist? We are in Merseyside.

[mycatoscar]

I'm in kent so not near you but my dog walker does home boarding. Try getting recommendations for local dog walkers who do rigid maybe? My dog went for 10 days last summer and had her own holiday while we were away I too don't like the idea of kennels.

[headlesslambrini]

am in Merseyside to, north of Liverpool. I think there is someone in our area which does it. I think she does dog training as well. I'll try to google and see if I can find her.

[mistlethrush]

Ours stays with our dog walker - or my parents - when we can't take her with us. Much happier to leave her and she settles in fine.

[ErrolTheDragon]

Yes, there are organisations - Barking Mad and Holidays4Dogs are two I've used. They're not cheap (especially the former) but they've worked out well for us. Just reminded me I need to book our dog in for this year's hols!

[headlesslambrini]

this is one that I've heard about, based in Southport I haven't used them though just heard.

[SwirlyWhirly]

ooh lovely, thank you for your replies.
headless we are north merseyside too, I will take a look at that link thank you :)

[CMOTDibbler]

If anyone is in Worcestershire, I'm looking too

[exexpat]

There are some national franchise chins like Pals4Pets which have people (experienced, checked etc) who look after dogs in their own homes - I've used the local franchise and they were good. Or there are lots of individuals who do the same - local recommendation is the best way to find them (I met the woman I use most often while out dog-walking and got to know her).

More expensive than kennels but definitely worth it.

[HotPanda]

Phone your vets to see if any of the vet nurses will house/dog sit. We use vet nurses whenever we go away. I like it because the dogs get to stay in their own environment, with the added bonus of the vet nurses knowing what to do if they get sick or injured.

[trashcanjunkie]

I board dogs too! I'm in Newcastle - may be a tad far, but if you're really stuck your buttery lab would be welcome

[Notonaschoolnight]

Do you have a website trash can? Me and the ewok live in Sunderland

[trashcanjunkie]

Notonaschoolnight

No - I have a lovely shiny leaflet

Quite happy to pm you my number though - and I have lots of happy customers who'll do references!

[trashcanjunkie]

Notonaschoolnight

No - I have a lovely shiny leaflet

Quite happy to pm you my number though - and I have lots of happy customers who'll do references!

[trashcanjunkie]

bah - double post

[ancientbuchanan]

There are lots near us. Best bet in many ways is to ask around. My hairdresser knows everyone, for example, and only today was talking about someone whom Ddog meets in the local park, ex Battersea, and does holiday boarding.

Not near merseysude alas

[clam]

As you can see from these replies, these things certainly do exist. Ours goes to stay at the home of the dog-walking people who cover my working days for us. He loves going there - leaps out of the car and races to the door when I drop him off. I too didn't like the idea of my pfb dog going to kennels (although I accept that plenty of dogs love it), as I wasn't sure how much freedom they give. Here he lives in the house and garden along with theirs.
We pay about £18 per day for it. Dunno how that compares.

[DameDeepRedBetty]

Hi We run a dogwalking and boarding service, our Trade Association is NARPS. This is their website. We're all checked over and insured.

[FiveHoursSleep]

We always use Housecarers and have someone stay in our house to look after it and care for all our pets.
We don't pay them, they stay in our house for free and everyone is happy.

[SwirlyWhirly]

Thank you for the replies, would definately prefer that he went to live in someones house for the time we are away, will have a look at the links, thanks again.