Holiday Care for your Dog

Here at Battersea Dogs Home we’re gearing up for a busy summer, as every year we see our intake of dogs almost double during the summer period. In the excitement of planning a holiday, many families forget to arrange adequate provision for their dogs. In many cases, dogs are either left to roam the streets or left alone in the confinement of their home. These neglected dogs are in danger of starvation or sickness or becoming the victims of road accidents, and many of them end up here as strays.

In order to avoid these sad outcomes, here are a few do's and don'ts to providing for your dog while you are away.

Kennels

It is well worth your while researching kennels properly. Not all are up to standard and your pet's physical and mental welfare is at risk if left in an inappropriate kennel. Ask friends, acquaintances or local breeders to recommend a reliable kennel.
Don't leave your dog in a kennel that doesn't insist on seeing evidence of vaccination. Your dog should have had its yearly boosters against Leptiosperous, Parvo Virus, Canine Distemper, Canine Hepatitis and Parainfluenza Type 2. Some kennels also ask for Intrac, an intra-nasal kennel cough vaccine.
Before choosing the appropriate kennel, make sure you go round unannounced to thoroughly inspect it and do not leave until you are satisfied that you have seen everything.
Ensure the kennel is clean and in good condition. Watch how the staff interact with the animals and how the animals react to the staff.
Note the state of the dogs . Do they seem happy, or are they afraid, distressed etc? Are they well groomed or dirty?
Make sure that each dog has its own run that is spacious and comfortable.
As exercise is crucial to a dog's health, ensure the kennel staff walk the pets at least twice a day. Also ensure that the dogs will be exercised without other dogs unless they are on leads and can be controlled safely.
Some kennels require you to provide your own food, or you can ask if you can provide your own food. Check whether you can take something familiar for your dog to sleep on.
Follow up any recommendations and research price range.
Check the facility has comprehensive insurance, if a vet has to be called the kennel insurance should cover this expense.
Remember to book early, kennels get very busy during school holidays.
Always leave your contact details at home and abroad in case of emergency. Also leave a local number in case of emergency and your vet's details.
Dogs can often sense when their owners are leaving, try to prepare it by making a fuss of it for a few days prior to your departure.
Another idea is to take it to the kennel and leave it there for a one hour at first, then gradually increase the time up to around five hours or until it is used to its surroundings.
Do not put your dog in a kennel for any longer than necessary. Check the dog in the day before your holiday.
Leave the dogs favourite toy with it for comfort. Give carers as much information regarding your dog's likes and dislikes.
Details of kennels can be obtained from your vet, dog training class or the phonebook.

Dog / House sitters

If you do not want to put your dog in a kennel and do not have any friends or family able to dog-sit, there are other options.

Dog/house sitters are usually independent people and tend to advertise their services in the newspaper.

The best way to start your research is to follow up any personal recommendations you have stumbled across bearing in mind that word-of -mouth is often the most effective way to find someone.
Arranging a meeting/interview with them is a good way for you to find out if you are happy to trust them not only with your pet, but with your home and personal property.
If you have any doubts or hesitations do not to make any arrangements until you are completely satisfied that you have found the right person for the job.
Always ask for references and follow them up.
Thoroughly brief them on what is required of them. You must come to an agreement on what is to be done, for example, walking the dog twice daily.
A good idea is to introduce your dog to the carer to see how they respond to each other and see if the dog takes to them.
Researching prices is also advisable as they may vary according to area and level of service.
There are dogsitters who will look after your dog in your own home, while others will take dogs into their own home.
The National Association of Registered Dogsitters hold a central register of dogsitters and can provide a list of suitable contacts in your area. They can be contacted on 01584 711 534, by e-mail at [email protected] or their website, www.dogsit.com

Friends and family

Of course, you could leave your dog with a friend or family member while you are away, or they could come to look after the dog in your home. There are just a few things to remember:

Make sure that the dog knows the person, and gets on with them, and that the person is confident handling the dog. If they have pets of their own and your dog is going to their house , make sure the dog gets on with their animals too.
Make sure the person understands the responsibility of looking after a dog. They should know to keep the dog on a lead in public areas, carry a poop-scoop or poo-bags with them to clear up after the dog whenever they are out. They should also know to guard against open windows and doors in their house through which the dog might escape and to never to leave the dog in a car in the summer.
Leave any emergency contact details such as your vet's name, address and telephone number, what to do in an out-of-hours emergency and the details of how to contact you on holiday.
Give the carers the dog's favourite bed, toys, treats and food so he feels at home.
Put a tag on your dog’s collar with the details of the person who is looking after the dog – their name and telephone number – so if someone finds the dog they can contact the dog minder direct.

And finally........

NEVER leave your dog in the car during the summer - whether at home or on holiday. Less than 20 minutes in a stationary car on a hot day, even with the windows open, is enough to leave the dog in a critical condition.

	Holiday Checklist For Dog Care Here at Battersea Dogs Home we’re gearing up for a busy summer, as every year we see our intake of dogs almost double during the summer period. In the excitement of planning a holiday, many families forget to arrange adequate provision for their dogs. In many cases, dogs are either left to roam the streets or left alone in the confinement of their home. These neglected dogs are in danger of starvation or sickness or becoming the victims of road accidents, and many of them end up here as strays. In order to avoid these sad outcomes, here are a few do's and don'ts to providing for your dog while you are away. Kennels It is well worth your while researching kennels properly. Not all are up to standard and your pet's physical and mental welfare is at risk if left in an inappropriate kennel. Ask friends, acquaintances or local breeders to recommend a reliable kennel. Don't leave your dog in a kennel that doesn't insist on seeing evidence of vaccination. Your dog should have had its yearly boosters against Leptiosperous, Parvo Virus, Canine Distemper, Canine Hepatitis and Parainfluenza Type 2. Some kennels also ask for Intrac, an intra-nasal kennel cough vaccine. Before choosing the appropriate kennel, make sure you go round unannounced to thoroughly inspect it and do not leave until you are satisfied that you have seen everything. Ensure the kennel is clean and in good condition. Watch how the staff interact with the animals and how the animals react to the staff. Note the state of the dogs . Do they seem happy, or are they afraid, distressed etc? Are they well groomed or dirty? Make sure that each dog has its own run that is spacious and comfortable. As exercise is crucial to a dog's health, ensure the kennel staff walk the pets at least twice a day. Also ensure that the dogs will be exercised without other dogs unless they are on leads and can be controlled safely. Some kennels require you to provide your own food, or you can ask if you can provide your own food. Check whether you can take something familiar for your dog to sleep on. Follow up any recommendations and research price range. Check the facility has comprehensive insurance, if a vet has to be called the kennel insurance should cover this expense. Remember to book early, kennels get very busy during school holidays. Always leave your contact details at home and abroad in case of emergency. Also leave a local number in case of emergency and your vet's details. Dogs can often sense when their owners are leaving, try to prepare it by making a fuss of it for a few days prior to your departure. Another idea is to take it to the kennel and leave it there for a one hour at first, then gradually increase the time up to around five hours or until it is used to its surroundings. Do not put your dog in a kennel for any longer than necessary. Check the dog in the day before your holiday. Leave the dogs favourite toy with it for comfort. Give carers as much information regarding your dog's likes and dislikes. Details of kennels can be obtained from your vet, dog training class or the phonebook. Dog / House sitters If you do not want to put your dog in a kennel and do not have any friends or family able to dog-sit, there are other options. Dog/house sitters are usually independent people and tend to advertise their services in the newspaper. The best way to start your research is to follow up any personal recommendations you have stumbled across bearing in mind that word-of -mouth is often the most effective way to find someone. Arranging a meeting/interview with them is a good way for you to find out if you are happy to trust them not only with your pet, but with your home and personal property. If you have any doubts or hesitations do not to make any arrangements until you are completely satisfied that you have found the right person for the job. Always ask for references and follow them up. Thoroughly brief them on what is required of them. You must come to an agreement on what is to be done, for example, walking the dog twice daily. A good idea is to introduce your dog to the carer to see how they respond to each other and see if the dog takes to them. Researching prices is also advisable as they may vary according to area and level of service. There are dogsitters who will look after your dog in your own home, while others will take dogs into their own home. The National Association of Registered Dogsitters hold a central register of dogsitters and can provide a list of suitable contacts in your area. They can be contacted on 01584 711 534, by e-mail at [email protected] or their website, www.dogsit.com Friends and family Of course, you could leave your dog with a friend or family member while you are away, or they could come to look after the dog in your home. There are just a few things to remember: Make sure that the dog knows the person, and gets on with them, and that the person is confident handling the dog. If they have pets of their own and your dog is going to their house , make sure the dog gets on with their animals too. Make sure the person understands the responsibility of looking after a dog. They should know to keep the dog on a lead in public areas, carry a poop-scoop or poo-bags with them to clear up after the dog whenever they are out. They should also know to guard against open windows and doors in their house through which the dog might escape and to never to leave the dog in a car in the summer. Leave any emergency contact details such as your vet's name, address and telephone number, what to do in an out-of-hours emergency and the details of how to contact you on holiday. Give the carers the dog's favourite bed, toys, treats and food so he feels at home. Put a tag on your dog’s collar with the details of the person who is looking after the dog – their name and telephone number – so if someone finds the dog they can contact the dog minder direct. And finally........ NEVER leave your dog in the car during the summer - whether at home or on holiday. Less than 20 minutes in a stationary car on a hot day, even with the windows open, is enough to leave the dog in a critical condition. Close this window to return to the main site.