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Ive forgotten to book kennels for our Spaniels in Jul/Aug, and everything is booked up. Does anyone have any experience with either House/pet sitters (eg Trustedhousesitters.co.uk) or people who take in your dog (eg Barkingmad)
Whereabouts are you?
Around here, even dog sitters are booked up until next year.
It's a combination of holidays and return-to-office for those that bought dogs during lockdown.
I can't even get my dog in to doggy day care in neither Sheffield nor Manchester
Not for dogs, but we’ve used one for our two cats (Kittyangels). Person comes round twice a day (and unless there’s an issue, it’s the same person). Feeds and waters the cats, clears the litter trays, opens and closes the curtains/blinds at the front of the house as appropriate, and sends multiple videos on WhatsApp showing us that they are ok. They (the cats) are kept in whilst we are away (our choice).
I wouldn't be giving anyone a key to my house unless I knew them well. A stranger might not steal anything, but who knows where they leave your keys or tell about what stuff you have.
I’m in East Sussex
My retired parents used to do it with petsitters.com (?). They'd stay at your house and take the dog out as per its normal routine.
They had regulars that they loved doing and built great relationships with the dogs and their owners. They got paid a small amount and of course the agency took a cut.
We used a company last year where our dog stayed at someone’s house. Worked well. First they came with there dog to our house to introduce them. Then we went to theirs. Then she went to stay with them. £40 a night. As many updates via WhatsApp as we wanted (we went for twice a day). She had a great time and would use them again.
https://www.we-love-pets.co.uk/areas-covered/derby
Have used trustedhouseitters which went well, follow up booking for loads of interest from US and Aus which didn't work for us as we have a reactive dog who needs to meet people first.
Rover.com seems to be working for our summer booking but even they sitters on there are well booked.
As for letting someone into your house, it's a bit odd, but trustedhouseitters for example offers insurance.
I wouldn’t be giving anyone a key to my house unless I knew them well. A stranger might not steal anything, but who knows where they leave your keys or tell about what stuff you have.
If they're properly insured, they'll be DBS cleared. The sitter has (and keeps) the key they don't leave it anywhere but on the client key ring in the vehicle when needed.
Integra - yep - just north of Battle.
Anywhere near Barking? Or are you just looking for leads.
Booom! Surprised that took this long!
£40 a night.
You what now!
We've been looking after a friend's akita for weekends and the odd whole week. It's fun as she is a lovely natured dog, but has made us realise we don't want a dog in our lives full time. But £40 a night....that'll be why the thank you presents have been so generous!
Edit - when we had a cat we initially used a cat prison when we were away. Then we used a lady who would visit. Same price per day but so much happier cat and us too. To me now cattery/doggery should maybe be considered option of last resort.
Integra - only just got yours!!🤣🤣
For a minute I thought in typical STW fashion you were going to be a dog sitter near me who could take them!!!!
Cryogenics?
What breed, and is it an American-style fridge/freezer you have?
I have used trusted housesitters a couple of times, awesome people both times and my 19 year old cat is very needy. Sometimes you just have to trust people. Pick somebody with good reviews. I think it helps if you live somewhere nice and get loads of applicants.
If you use Facebook, there's a page/group called Black listed Dog sitters/walkers.
You can ask on there for recommendations .
Its a problem. Last time we used a kennel for a holiday was 7 years ago. Last minute booking. No choice. Our dog came out having lost weight and stinking. Her blanket we had left with her was soaking with urine.
We used a highly recommended kennel for 1 night recently as a family wedding meant nobody could dog sit.
Nice facebook pics of the dogs being exercised but staff said yhey couldn't recommend it for a holiday as one of our dogd wouldn't eat at all. Not even sliced chicken which is how we get her to take ger pills.
So for a possible 2 week holiday next year the first thing to book before flights, car hire, or accommodation is the relatives/s to house sit.
@dantsw13
"Integra – only just got yours!!🤣🤣
For a minute I thought in typical STW fashion you were going to be a dog sitter near me who could take them!!!!"
Lol, was going to recommend someone to dog sit but you are a bit to far away for her.