Policies and Procedures 2024

 

Julie and Mikes Doggydaycare

1. General Boarding policies. 

 

• The licence is displayed on the kitchen wall where clients enter the house and our licence number is also displayed on the business website.

 

• The premises are of sound construction and only registered tradespeople will be used to 

complete any works at any time. No more dogs than the stated amount on the licence will be accepted at any one time.

 

• All policies will be pointed out to clients and clients may also be viewed on our business website.

 

• A current vaccination certificate must be presented before your dog is accepted for boarding.This must cover canine Distemper, canine Adenovirus/infectious canine hepatitis, 

Leptospirosis, and canine Parvo Virus and other relevant diseases. 

• Vaccination against other diseases such as Kennel Cough are desirable but not mandatory. 

 

• We cannot accept any dog without an up-to-date certificate of vaccination on arrival, all 

vaccination courses must be completed a minimum of fourteen days before arriving for 

boarding. 

 

• Boarding fees are charged per day including the day of arrival and day 

of departure and require full payment on arrival. Should you choose to remove your dog 

early, or through your dogs’ behaviour or illness we must move them to another location 

before the end of the booking, the full boarding fee remains payable in addition to any 

associated costs of the appropriate accommodation. This is for the well-being of both your 

dog and other guests.

• If it is deemed that boarding can no longer continue due to extremes of temperature or any 

other emergency, the client and or emergency contact will be required to collect their dog. 

Written consent is obtained prior to boarding.

• Dogs will sleep upstairs and will have use of the full downstairs area and the three 

bedrooms. They will also have access to the back garden and are permitted on the sofas. 

 

• Owners are encouraged to bring the dog’s own bed, and provide a blanket that smells of 

home to help the dog relax. Dogs can be crated overnight if that is the owner’s routine. 

 

• Dogs are not left alone what so ever.

 

2. Record Keeping 

 

• All boarding is subject to a successful  meet and greet and the boarding forms being completed fully. 

Specific boarding forms must include name and address of client, Name, breed, colour of 

dog, microchip number, age, vaccinations, dates, flea and worming treatment dates, 

Insurance and vet details, temperament of dog, consent for dogs to be walked, 

photographed, housed and fed with other dogs, exercise expectations, medication, allergy 

details and any other relevant details.

 

• All records are kept on a central spreadsheet on Google Drive.
• All records are confidential and password protected
• All records must be viewed with data protection in mind. The records will be regularly 

updated.

• The records will be available to the licensee and emergency contact.
• The records will be retained for three years and archived after this time.

 

3. Health and Safety within the home. 

 

• Health and safety will be maintained within the home at all times. All dogs to be housed in a 

suitable environment, which is kept clean and safe at all times.

• All electrical equipment including smoke detectors and carbon monoxide monitors are 

inspected yearly and repaired or replaced as needed. All gas equipment to be inspected and 

maintained by a qualified engineer yearly.

• The house will be inspected daily for any repairs needed. The garden will be inspected daily 

for any repairs needed. All gates and fencing will be checked every day to 

identify any wear and tear.

• A regular cleaning regime is in place and the home is maintained. All health and safety will be 

considered when cooking/cleaning and dogs will be kept away from heat sources or from 

being able to ingest anything. 

All boarders become part of our family and are looked after to the high standard that we look 

after our own animals.

4.   Cleaning and Disinfection procedure. 

 

• General cleaning will be done daily and a good state of cleanliness will be maintained. All 

sides wiped down before and after use, floors swept daily, food and water bowls washed 

daily, throws and bedding washed every three days. A thorough dust, polish, vacuum and 

disinfect will be done on a weekly basis. Any spillages/accidents will be cleaned up as soon 

as seen. The garden will have excrement removed and bagged within a few minutes of it happening. 

 

• Food preparation areas will be cleaned prior and after use. An antibacterial cleaner and 

antibacterial wipes, with kitchen roll will be used to maintain areas.

 

• Antibacterial handwash will be available by all sinks and wipes. Dogs can be hosed down and 

washed outside in good weather or showered down in the bath in colder weather.

 

• All dogs will be removed when cleaning is taking place.

 

5. Transportation policy.

 

• Only the resident dog Basil, has access to our car for transportation to and from walking routes.Reddish vale country park,which we use for walks is within walking distance to our house.

• Any rubbish or bags of excrement are disposed of in the appropriate bins. 
• The car is cleaned every two weeks,inside and out.

6. Feeding Procedure.

 

• All dogs are thoroughly assessed and watched during feeding time to make sure they are 

eating, not gulping their food or struggling to chew their food.Dogs will be separated while 

they eat to assure safety and pace.

 

• Dogs will eat separately to resident dog
• Unless stated all dog food is to be provided by the client. Clients will be asked to give written 

details on timings, amounts and kinds of bowls dogs eat from. 

• All bowls and feeders will be provided by the client. All bowls will be washed daily. 
• The food will be stored in the fridge/freezer or in the secure clean plastic containers in the 

pantry cupboard or garage depending on the how it needs to be stored

• Treats will be given as rewards with permission of the client
• Dogs food intake will be monitored per meal and advice sought from a vet if the dog 

continues to refuse food after 48 hours.

 

• Multiple water bowls will be provided and water changed continuous throughout the day. All bowls 

will be washed daily

• No food to be left down and will be removed and disposed of in the outside bin after each mealtime.

ll bowls will be lifted and placed in the sink area for manual washing.

• A dedicated work surface to be used to prepare food and to be washed before and after 

food prep.

• All basic hygiene rules will be adhered to by anyone preparing food.

 

7. Enrichment activities 

 

• All boarders will have access to enrichment activities within the home and garden. Kongs,balls [whilst under supervision ] 

enrichment games, toys, lickimats and a paddling pool/baby bath in warm weather.

 

• Dogs that are on restricted exercise or other reasons will interact with mind game type toys. 

 

These toys are a great way to bond and interact so will be used with licensee to get the 

most from. Lickimats and snuffle mats are a great way to expel energy while using minimum 

physical exercise and mentally tire a dog out by using natural instincts.  Dogs will be 

supervised when playing with all toys.

• A paddling pool/baby bath  will be provided with shallow water for dogs to cool off in warmer months. 

Paddling pool will be supervised at all times. 

 

• The equipment will all be inspected prior to use and cleaned or discarded as necessary.
• Grooming and interaction will take place multiple times throughout day. 

All dogs will live as part of the family and will interact with with us throughout the day 

and evening.

 

8. Exercise Policy. 

 

• All individual needs will be addressed with older dogs having a different type and duration of 

Exercise.

 

• Dogs under a year old will with advice from our vets get 5 mins of exercise for every month 

of their life twice daily.

 

• Adult dogs in good health will get two walks minimum per day. One long walk 60 min +, which 

with the owners written permission can include off lead exercise and ball games and another 

lead/off lead walk for a minimum of 30 mins. However, if I am not confident with the dogs’ 

recall, only lead walks will be done initially.

 

• Every care will be taken to ensure dogs individual exercise needs are met with agreement 

with the client. 

 

• The shorter walk can be around the local Reddish vale country park. 

 

• All walking equipment must be provided by the client. We encourage our clients to use 

secure harnesses and soft leads. No extendable leads are permitted due to unreliability. All 

equipment provided must be in a clean and safe state. 

 

• We hold a stock of strong leads and harnesses that can be used. 
• All equipment will be inspected prior to use. All walks and equipment use is agreed with 

clients upon drop off,and mainly discussed during our meet and greet stage.

 

• All dogs must have a collar/harness with the clients name, address and number on. We will 

only walk boarding dogs with one of our collars or identity tags on. Our tags include our 

name, address and number.

• No more than three dogs per person will be walked at any one time. 
• We are fully insured to walk up to six dogs. Every

precaution is taken to maintain a safe walk and all walks are familiar and considered safe.

• When the boarding dogs are not  being walked they have complete access to the garden. The garden 

has two outer gates and one inner gate so they have three physical barriers to the outside. 

The fencing is six foot timber fencing. The lighting is provided if its dark outside and all gates are 

lockable from the inside. Dogs are fully supervised at all times in the garden and never left 

unattended. 

• Clients are asked in writing to confirm their dogs can have use of the garden with resident 

and visiting dogs. Supervised at all times.

• In the case of extreme weather the type and level of exercise will be modified. In cases of 

extreme heat the boarders will have shorter walks early morning or late evening. Dogs will be 

walked on lead and encouraged to be calm and take regular water and shade breaks. 

 

Enrichment will be provided at home and a supervised paddling pool will be available.

 

• Cooling mats are provided in summer months.

 

• In the case of snow, exercise will be limited. Clients will provide coats for their dogs. 

Boarders will be dried off and heating used to keep them comfortable. In blizzard conditions 

dogs will have enrichment at home and be walked at calmer times. 

• All paws will be rinsed after walking on pavements due to gritting. 
• Dogs will be monitored closely and if they appear to be in distress or not enjoying the 

weather the walk will be halted and we will return home.

 

• In very wet conditions walks will continue unless the dog appears to be unhappy or in 

distress. Dogs will not be walked in thunder and lightning storms and will receive enrichment 

at home and distraction techniques used.

 

• The radio and use of low lighting will be used if dogs become upset by the storms.

 

• If dogs are boarding at a time when fireworks are in use the walks will be during daylight 

hours and dogs will be supervised in the garden at those times.

 

9. Monitoring Health and Welfare.

 

• Dogs will be physically checked over every day for lumps and bumps, ears, eyes and mouth 

checked, coat checked and paws inspected after every walk. 

• In winter months paws will be rinsed off after walks and in summer months surfaces will be 

checked for heat.

• Dogs food intake and general demeanour will be assessed at least once a day but 

continuously. Dogs that are showing signs of stress will be given their own space and time in 

the garden, low lighting and the use of the radio. They can also have time in the private side room, 

using the blankets or beds from their own home. 

 

• All clients will fill in the boarding form and will be asked to give details of dogs’ disposition. All 

dogs will come for a meet and greet and a decision will be made after discussion on their 

suitability. 

 

• Techniques will be discussed to maintain a calm atmosphere with the client. 
• All observations about dogs’ health and welfare will be recorded on the main spreadsheet.inc the application form.
• All dogs will be handled gently and reward based training techniques will be used. 

 

• All clients will be advised that any equipment provided by them must be maintained and not 

be an aversive training tool.

 

• The use of choke chains, shock collars, prong collars, anti bark collars, half choke collars is 

strictly prohibited and all clients will understand that we will not use them. No aversive 

methods will be used.

 

11. Disease control and prevention. 

• All clients will provide medical details prior to the stay and appropriate treatment will be 

agreed. All dogs must be in good health for a minimum of 7 days prior to boarding. Dogs that 

have stomach upsets or anything considered infectious will not be permitted and their 

boarding will be cancelled.

• If any dog shows signs of infection, their space will be limited to the kitchen until the dogs 

can be collected by the emergency contact or the client. 

The client will be asked to come and collect their dog and if they cannot, their emergency contact will come to collect. This will 

be agreed prior to boarding. 

• All necessary steps including blankets, pillow cases etc will be disposed of or washed in the machine at 

60 degrees. 

• All soiled bedding will be washed at 60 degrees or disposed of at the waste disposal site.
• All water and food bowls will be separated and washed separately. All advice will be taken 

from our vets with the handling of the boarder. All other boarding dogs will be asked to be 

collected too.

• All toys will be disinfected and washed between boarding dogs.

 

12. Death or escape of an animal procedure.

 

• If any boarding dog becomes unwell or dies during boarding the client will be informed 

immediately and asked to come to our home. All actions will be taken under advice from our 

vet. 

• Deceased dogs will be taken to the clients vets to await the return of their owner promptly.
• If our vet feels that a dog must be euthanized, consent from the client will be obtained prior 

to or the interests of the dog considered. Every effort will be made to contact the owner.

 

Every effort will be made to contact the owner or 

emergency contact, but the welfare of the dog comes first. 

 

• Any euthanasia must be performed by a qualified vet.

 

• In the case that a dog escapes from the home or on a walk every effort will be made to find 

the dog and both the emergency contact and client will be contacted immediately. All local 

vets will be contacted along with the dog warden. The use of social media (Doglost) may be 

used if the client consents. The business insurance company will be contacted as soon as 

possible.

 

13. Emergency care for boarding dogs.

 

• If the establishment becomes uninhabitable for any reason the owners will be contacted and

asked to collect their dogs. If owners are unable to collect, emergency contacts will be 

asked to collect their dogs. All clients will give written consent prior to boarding.

 

• If the temperature is extreme either hot or cold every measure will be taken to ensure the 

establishment is habitable. 

 

• In the event of extreme weather including flooding, snow and droughts, every precaution will 

be taken to make dogs comfortable.

 

• It is extremely unlikely that natural flooding will occur as we live on a hill, but all dogs will be 

evacuated following emergency services advice. In the case of extreme snow advice will be 

taken from emergency services and forecasts. 

 

14. Waste disposal 

 

• All dog faeces will be removed from the garden at least once per day and disposed of in the appropriate bin.

 

15. Fire policy and escape plan.

 

• There are two smoke alarms in the property, along with a fire blanket and fire extinguisher. There is a carbon 

monoxide detector next to the boiler.

• All are inspected and tested weekly.

 

• In the case of a kitchen fire, either the living room exit can be used if in there, or if in a 

different area of the house the front exit can be used. 

 

• Dogs can be secured in the car using the seat belt secured harnesses and taken to a safe point.
• All gas equipment is inspected yearly and serviced by qualified gas safe engineers. All 

electrical and gas equipment is visually inspected and tested when used. 

• The designated key holder lives a ten minute walk away and can be contacted at all times in 

case of emergency.

 

16. Vaccination/ flea and worming treatment policies.

 

 

• All clients must bring with them and show up to date vaccination records. All boarding dogs

must have had their primary vaccinations two weeks prior to boarding. All vaccinations must 

have been given by a qualified vet and be licensed in the UK.

• All boarding dogs must have been treated with appropriate flea, worming and tick prevention 

medication prior to boarding. If any dog appears infected, they will be treated using 

medication from their vets and at the owner’s expense. All clients will be aware of the policy 

prior to boarding. If an infestation is discovered, all bedding, throws, soft furnishing will be 

washed and treated with a treatment recommended by our vet. Any areas the dog has been 

will be treated appropriately.

 

17. Medication policy. 

 

• Customers must provide all medication for their dogs in a plastic labelled box, labelled with 

the dogs name, frequency and dosage. The fridge can be used to store medicines if 

needed. 

• All medicines must be returned to the client when boarding ceases.
• If a boarding dog becomes unwell and a visit to the vet is required, every effort will be made 

to contact the client for approval first before any treatment is given. However the dog’s 

health is the most important priority so if contact cannot be made in a timely manner with 

either the client or emergency contact, we will proceed to take the advice of our qualified vets

 

• Any medical costs will be payable by the client.

 

18. Puppies under 1 year old procedure. 

 

• Toilet trained puppies are welcomed and all puppies must have completed their primary 

vaccinations. 

• Puppies are treated like one of the family and experience as much of everyday life as 

possible. Puppies spend lots of one on one time with the us and are given the 

opportunity to socialise with people and other friendly assessed dogs. Regular toilet breaks 

are given to encourage toilet training. 

• All puppies are fed separately in a safe area and supervised throughout their stay.

 

• Note is taken of the recommended exercise regimes and puppies are encouraged to walk both on and off lead in safe areas with the owner’s consent. 

 

• Owners are encouraged to provide harnesses for puppies 
• Increased feeds are adhered to and toileting habits are closely monitored.
• Puppies are examined and handled regularly to acclimatize them to regular contact in case 

of a vet visit.

• The right kind of socialisation is encouraged and any play between dogs is closely monitored 

and an intervention if play becomes too raucous. 

• Basic force free training techniques are used to help puppies continue to develop during 

their stay.

 

19. Neutering policy. 

 

• The resident dog has been spayed, so there is no requirement for boarding dogs to be 

neutered unless they are being mixed with another un-neutered dog from a different 

household. Individual cases to be discussed in advance.

 

20. Emergency procedures. 

 

• If any boarding dog is injured or becomes unwell immediate treatment will be sought with 

either our vet or if local, the clients vet. Consent will be obtained from the client to make

decisions based on the vet’s advice. 

• Clients will be contacted and their emergency contact wherever possible before any 

treatment is given. Consent to make decisions based on the vets advice will be given.

• If a dog is injured on a walk the dog will be taken to the nearest vet and emergency 

treatment will be given.

• Clients will give consent for emergency treatment to be carried out. The client or emergency 

contact will be contacted at the earliest opportunity. 

• A first aid kit is kept in the house and an emergency first aid course has been completed.
• If the boarding licence is revoked while boarding dogs are staying, the client or emergency contact should remove their dog as soon as possible.However we have been looking after dogs for many years now , and all the dogs have been safe,well looked after and happy, just like their owners.
• Thanks for reading all this .