Canine community

Hi all,

I'm hoping some of you fine folk will be able to help me out; I've set up a website (http://www.petlodger.co.uk) aimed at helping pet owners who need short-term pet care, ie a for just a few hours or just overnight as there's currently nothing similar available. The idea is essentially based around the concept of local pet owners helping each other out.

It's early days, the website being only a couple of weeks old, and I'm in what might be called the 'customer discovery' phase using a Lean Start-Up business model, ie. I'm trying to clarify and define precisely what it is the site users want in terms of usability, functionality, features, format etc. Currently the website consists of a registration page although I have already connected several registered members.

I would be immensely grateful to anyone who would care to visit the site, have a look and even sign up as a Founder Member, it's free; then give me your feedback about the concept, the site, how you would want it to work or what content you would like to see on the site; in this way, the site gets built around the users' needs and is most effective.

Thanks very much in advance,

Mike Potts (Founder @ PetLodger), by email

All above board

Hello,

I am a happy owner of four Cavalier King Charles Spaniels and I do dog walking in my local area as well as other pet sitting.

I have had many enquiries about doggie day care and I am insured to do this, but I do not know if I need licencing. I know that if a dog stays overnight, I definitely need a licence. The owners are providing the dog's own food, if it needs a meal during the day.

I have contacted my local council but am still awaiting a response. I have researched the internet and for some councils you need a licence and for others you don't, so I am very confused.

Hope you can help,

Claire, by email

Home from home

Dear Dogs Today,

We've just taken on a rescue crossbreed and are after some advice.

We're thinking ahead to next year when we go on holiday as we will be visiting friends in the US for two weeks, which we booked a while ago. We're not sure about putting Rusty into kennels when we go away, or whether it'd be better to have someone look after him at their home. We don't want him to think we're taking him back to kennels.

Can anyone advise of our options?

Many thanks,

Mr and Mrs Port, by email


 Alison Logan, vet, advises...

This is a difficult decision to make. Your holiday is not until next year so Rusty’s memories of being at the rescue kennels should have faded. Visit several kennels and go with your instinct – a small homely kennel with friendly and experienced staff would be a great find. A trial one or two night stay would be worth considering. 

The alternative is to find someone who will look after Rusty in their own home. Obviously, you need Rusty to be happy in the person’s company. Another option would be for someone to move into your home to care for your dog in his usual environment, whilst coincidentally looking after your house. It goes without saying that in both situations you need to trust the person implicitly.

The advantage of kennelling is that your dog will be monitored and secure. I always worry that a dog being cared for at home or in someone else’s home might escape and go off to look for his or her owners, with the attendant risks of accidents, being impounded for straying… The flip side is how a rescue dog will cope with being kennelled once more. You have wisely given yourself plenty of time to decide.

I would certainly put a pheromone collar on him before kennelling, in fact in all situations when leaving him to go on holiday, whatever you decide.