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The doghouse

If you're worried about your pet's health, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.

Original poster

Does anyone know of someone who looks after dogs in their own home whilst their owners are away?

21 replies

MotherJack · 18/05/2011 11:35

I have heard of such mythical creatures, but I'm trying to track one down for a friend. Ideally would need on anywhere between the Midlands and Great Ormond Street hospital, but a little further afield would not be a problem.

Can anyone help? Thank you!

OP posts:
LeonardNimoy · 18/05/2011 11:38

try here My friend does it, although we are not in the area you want. I think dog boarding is increasingly common, so hopefully you wonlt have too much trouble finding one

MadameCastafiore · 18/05/2011 11:39

We live in Kelvedon in Essex - our wonderful dog sitter has our dog when we are on holiday or need to go out for the day - he is fab - looks a bit unshaven but is a lovely lovely bloke - all the dogs love him and he is really reasonable. He has 2 dogs of his own and often you see him traipsing round the corn fields throwing frisbies and balls to up to 5 dogs - he even takes pictures of our dog for us when we are away (we don't miss her that much but is a nice thought!)

Let me know if you would like his number and I will ask him if it is ok to give it to you.

MadameCastafiore · 18/05/2011 11:40

He bathes our dog and evreything whilst we are away too and she often sulks when we go to bring her back - might just leave her there one day and see if the kids actually!

LeonardNimoy · 18/05/2011 11:43

another one here

Abr1de · 18/05/2011 11:44

We've used this kind of service in our village in the Thames Valley. Works very well.

Imnotaslimjim · 18/05/2011 11:46

Try these barking mad my FIL works for them and it always works really well

LeonardNimoy · 18/05/2011 11:47

one here apparently in W Midlands

Original poster
MotherJack · 18/05/2011 12:07

This is great - thank you all! I was obviously googling the wrong thing as all I got were pet sitters who visit your house once a day or similar.

I shall pass the info on - if you could ask your dogsitter if he wouldn't mind sharing his number that would be great, MadameCastafiore. Thank you!

OP posts:
MadameCastafiore · 18/05/2011 12:31

Will do - we used one called guardian angels years ago - stay away from them - cost more to leave the dog with them for a couple of weeks than to take DS to Italy with us!!!

Original poster
MotherJack · 18/05/2011 12:36
Shock

Thanks for that tip!

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chickchickchicken · 18/05/2011 15:58

i know a great person who does this in glos. she is a few mins from J11a of the M5. any good? she has looked after my dogs and i would recommend her

exexpat · 18/05/2011 16:16

I have a lovely one, but wrong area for you (Somerset). In case it's useful as a benchmark, her going rate is £23 a day, £20 for longer stays. It does add up if you're away for a fortnight, but knowing that the dog is safe and extremely happy (lots of long walks and doggy company) while we are away makes holidays much more relaxing. BTW, most of the ones I know of will only take dogs who are neutered, chipped and up to date with vaccinations.

Original poster
MotherJack · 18/05/2011 16:25

Probably a bit far out of the way that one Chick, but I'm not discounting anything on her behalf. Thank you!

Is that per dog Exexpat?

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chickchickchicken · 18/05/2011 16:43

mine is £10 per day if that helps. she has a few dogs of her own and they have several long walks a day. price is per dog and covers overnight stay

MrsJohnDeere · 18/05/2011 16:54

I know of one in Herts (about 15 mins from the M1). PM me if you want her details (not comfortable posting it on here without asking her first). No idea what she charges, but it will not be expensive (she does it more for the love of dogs than to make money). She will only take female dogs though and will want to meet the dog(s) first to check that they get on with her own dog.

Vallhala · 18/05/2011 18:17

I'm a dogwalker and petsitter/petcarer! :)

I can only take cat AND dog-friendly dogs, which limits what I do.

Problem with pet-caring in your own home is that you can get so comfortable with this newcomer in your midst you end up wanting to kidnap him or her!

Original poster
MotherJack · 18/05/2011 18:56

This is fantastic! Thank you everyone. I shall ring my friend and talk to her about everyones propositions and advice...

Val.. the dogs live with a cat currently so are very cat friendly and also dog friendly.... my old lady gets on fantastically with both. You would love these two... very endearing.... but I should warn you they are not small breed... one is an elderly black retriever/lab who is really rather quite wide, and the other is a Great Dane youngster, but impeccably behaved.... even with my old lady Stafford whom he adores (especially her bottom Confused)

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Original poster
MotherJack · 18/05/2011 18:58

Thank you MrsJohnDeere - definitely discounts the young Great Dane, but I really appreciate the help Smile

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GrimmaTheNome · 18/05/2011 19:02

We use Barking Mad. They operate as a franchise so might vary between areas but we've been happy with the way our dogs have been cared for. They insist on vaccs and recent worm and flea treatment having been done, but not on neutering or chipping. Its not cheap though.

Original poster
MotherJack · 18/05/2011 19:29

Thank you Grimma - all of this will be passed on Smile

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MadameCastafiore · 18/05/2011 19:58

Can you CAT me motherjack and I can give you the guy we uses number.

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