Dropping Jen off today with our wonderful home boarders, found through Holidays4dogs, only to be told that they wouldn't be accepting any new bookings The reason? All Home Boarders, for both cats and dogs, are going to have register and be licensed by their local Council in the same way that kennels and catteries have to be licensed. The requirements for licensing vary from council to council as does cost (£100 to £400 per year). Usually I'm in agreement with registration and licensing but this heavy handed approach will force many brilliant caring carers out of the market simply because they don't have a seperate storage area for dog food and food is prepared in the kitchen. Hands up those who prepare their pets food in the kitchen, wash up in the sink or place the bowls in the dishwasher ....
The worlds gone mad it really has, this is just another was of CASHING IN If I didn't have a utility room I would be washing up in the kitchen sink and I hadn't thought of putting Hattie & Charlie's bowls in the dishwasher, good idea x
We have a utility room and still prepare Pepper’s food in the kitchen and wash up his bowls in the sink or dishwasher!
I'm inclined to agree with registration for home stay. It would give me peace of mind that I would be getting a safe, home environment and not something less. All dog home stays on the Isle of Man must be inspected and registered. Perhaps it's the rules they are inspecting for in the UK are too harsh. Here are our home stay rules. More unscrupulous borders may offer less - this shouldn't be allowed. " A Veterinary Officer will arrange to visit and inspect the premises. Following a satisfactory inspection, the current year Licence will be issued together with a covering letter from the Inspecting Officer. General 'Homestay' conditions: Dogs must be boarded in a home environment. Owners must be given clear expectations of the establishment they choose to use. Owners that request 'homestay' clearly desire a home-like environment for their pet. Under no circumstances must garden sheds, or outbuildings be used to house boarded dogs. Owners must be informed and accept that carpets cannot be cleaned to the same extent as a kennel. In comparing 'homestay' with kennels, the presence of carpets in most houses precludes the washing and disinfecting of such surfaces and results in a different standard of hygiene. No more than four dogs may be boarded 'homestay'. Owners expect their pet to be kept in a dwelling and be part of a family. This precludes the boarding of large numbers of dogs as this is not a 'normal home environment'. No more than 2 owners' dogs at any time (operator's responsibility to make the owners aware, and ensure dogs suitably socialised) Dogs from different owners must not be left together unsupervised (day or night). 'Homestay' operators must ensure animals have an up-to-date vaccination history, and maintain a register. Premises can offer 'homestay' or kennels – but not both. Operating 'homestay' and kennels from the same premises would lead to ambiguity and confusion about the level of service that is to be provided. The inspection and routine visits to such premises would also be compromised as it would be difficult, if not impossible, to ascertain which dogs were being boarded under which set of conditions. 'Homestay' premises should have a secure exercise area (not to be unsupervised) and two doors to the entrances and exits of the part of the premises used for 'homestay'. Security is a primary expectation of owners – they expect their pet to be returned in good health after kennelling."
With my homestay organisation, and also several teainer friends who offer homestay, you visit the carers first to meet, inspect and discuss your dog's needs etc before any booking is confirmed. Both parties have to be happy before a booking can be confirmed so it's a case that I've inspected and approved the premises for my dog - if I was not happy my dog would not be staying there, it is yhat simple. I've walked away from numerous catteries and kennels because i have been less than impressed with the standards of care and yet these places are licensed. Also a homestay carer can only have dogs grom my family staying at any time and are licensed for number according to size. Mixing of dogs from different owners us simply not allowed - it us after all intended to be a home from home stay and the mixing of dogs from different families in a confined space really is a recipe for disaster based upon the average dog owners lack of knowledge on dog body language and behaviour
