Choosing a kennels for your dog in Towcester
Since 2018, people around Northamptonshire who run dog boarding kennels, home boarding business and even doggy daycare must follow rules that focus on meeting the welfare needs of dogs.
Get the detail of what the law requires by reading our article blow and download our ‘Ten questions’ infographic and run through it with your kennel before you book your dog in for their next stay.
Get the ten questions you should ask every kennel
Dog boarding kennels
Kennels must provide a suitable environment, ensure they monitor behaviour and keep a record of your dog’s stay. Ask to see all of these.
As a minimum your dog must have:
- Their own kennel unit and sleeping area, accessible at all times.
- Sufficient space in that area for them to sit, stand at full height, lie down fully stretch out, wag their tail, walk and turn around.
- One daily, 20 minute walk, outside, ideally more.
- If appropriate, room to share with another dog from your household.
- Access to enrichment through toys and games.
The better kennels will offer more and longer walks, additional enrichment facilities and more staff interaction.
Home boarding services
Like kennels, home boarding businesses must provide a suitable environment, ensure they monitor behaviour and keep a record of your dog’s stay. Ask to see all of these.
Your dog must be:
- Accommodated within the home.
- They should have their own room where they can get away from other dogs.
- Things that do not count as rooms include… conservatories, garages, cellars, outside building/sheds, balconies or outside structures.
- They should get exercise that’s appropriate for their age and health, with the opportunity for at least one 20 minute outdoor walk a day.
As with boarding kennels, the better the home boarding the more exercise, enrichment and interaction will be available.
Doggy daycare
For a dog daycare business to be fully licensed, your dog must be:
- Assessed before they can go to the daycare provider to make sure they are not scared, anxious or stressed around other dogs and people.
- Able to access an area where they can go to the toilet when they want to.
- Able to access an area where they can avoid seeing people or other dogs if they choose to.
- Have its behaviour monitored
Daycare providers aspiring to even higher standards will also document the interactions your dog has with people throughout the day.
Get the ten questions you should ask every kennel
Do download our ten questions PDF and use it, along with the information above, to assess your care provider. If you feel these conditions are not being met, then we’d urge you to walk away (taking your dog with you) and look for alternatives.
Holiday care for small mammals in Towcester
When it comes to finding holiday care options for smaller pets in Towcester, the variables are a little more complicated than those for Dogs & Cats. This is basically down to the specialist care, handling and attention certain species require. There are a few common requirements that apply to most small mammals. These revolve around making sure they are appropriately vaccinated and healthy before you leave for your trip.
If you’re not sure of the vaccination status of your Rabbit, Ferret, Hamster or other small furry, then why not book them in with us for a small animal health check.
Book a small animal health check
In a way that leads us onto our second piece of general advice.
If you’re leaving your small pet for the first time and are looking for holiday help, then start your preparations early, especially if you have a relatively uncommon pet. Whilst there are an increasing number of holiday care options for pets (that are not cats or dogs) small mammal care tends to be harder to find and that means you’ll need time to prepare.
When it comes down to it, you’ll have three options;
- Ask family or friends to look after your small pet in your home
- Take your small furry to someone else’s home
- Take your small mammals to a professional boarding business
If you have a pet that does not require special care, is happy to travel and easy to transport; then the best and most obvious option is to have friends of family take your pet into their house. If you choose this option, do make sure your pet travels with easy to follow care and feeding instructions along with a note of our details (if they have an emergency or just need a little advice).
If you have pets that don’t like to travel, for instance rabbits, it’s best to keep them in your house and have someone visit. Again, leave care instructions.
If you have a pet which needs a little special handling, then make sure that whoever will be looking after them gets used to dealing with them before you go. Again, a bit of preparation is required here.
If you’re leaving your pet at a professional pet boarding facility:
- Check the provider out before your book and take up a few references.
- Make sure your pet is prepared for the journey to and from their holiday digs.
- Do send them with an ample supply of their favourite food and clear instructions on handling, routine and preferences.
Finally, if you have any exotic species, your best option is to network with owners of similar pets in the area and swap holiday care. Most exotics require a fair bit of specialist knowledge and it’s not really fair just to leave them with anyone (on the animal or the pet)
Don’t forget, if you do need any advice or help, you’re always welcome to call us on 01327 350239 and we’ll do whatever we can to assist.
Ensure your rabbit gets the most from its next vet visit by following our easy tips
Rabbits are prey animals (and are not naturally good travellers) so, they can easily become stressed on occasional but vital visits to the vets. Make sure you get the most from your rabbit’s next vet visit by following our simple advice.
Prepare Properly
Write down any un-usual symptoms your pet may have shown as well as any questions you want to ask. Please call us before you travel to check what we need you need to bring.
Things to bring
The three things we’ll normally ask you to bring are;
- A recent urine or stool sample
- A familiar blanket to help keep your rabbit calm in the consulting room
- A treat to reward them at the end of their visit
Get a Great Crate
Ideally you want a rabbit specific carry case that opens at the top. Place the case in the rabbits’ environment before the trip so they can get used to it. Feed them in it, to build positive associations with the case.
Give Good Grub
On the morning of the trip give your rabbit a good breakfast and pack lunch with favourite foods and some of their usual pellets. A foodie treat may help to encourage your rabbit to start eating again if they lose their appetite.
Top Travel
The journey is probably going to stress them. So, make sure the car is clean, odour free and as quiet as it can be. Double check that the carry case is secure and level. Then, drive gently and when you get here, try to minimise the amount of time you spend in the waiting room and or keep your rabbit as far away from other pets that are waiting as you can.
Bring a Friend
If your rabbit lives with a companion, bring them both. It will be less stressful for them to be kept together.
When you get home
Ideally your rabbit will have enjoyed a treat before they finish their visit but once they get home do make sure they are eating and drinking as normal. If they are not, call us and we may ask you to syringe feed to get them going .
As ever, if you are in any doubt, following your visit, call us for further advice.
Preparing your cat or rabbit for surgery
No matter what the operation is, understanding what to expect and how you can prepare will make the whole thing a lot less stressful for you and your pet.
Read our four-point guide for a little advice and reassurance. If you’re worried or have questions we’re here to help at any point.
Before surgery
We’ll be checking your pet’s overall suitability for surgery by asking you questions about their current health & recent medical history. We’ll weigh them, check them and talk you through any risks with the operation.
We’ll talk to you about what to feed them the day before and the morning of the operation. In broad terms; cats should not be fed after midnight before the operation, but rabbits can be fed as normal. We’ll confirm any specific feeding advice for your pet’s op.
On the day
We’ll answer any last minute questions, then after you drop them off, we’ll prepare them for surgery and may give medication for any pain or anxiety. They may have some fur shaved and a drip inserted to allow us to administer medication, then, once prepared they’ll be taken to our operating theatre.
After the operation
After the procedure your pet will be moved to our recovery ward and may be given additional pain relief. As they come round, Katy and the nursing team will give them a bit of love and company and we’ll call you to let you know how it went.
When they get home
Given they have just gone through surgery you’ll want to leave them to their own devices for a day or so whilst you keep a close eye on them.
Make sure they have somewhere quiet to retreat to and keep them as calm as you can. Keep an eye on what they are eating and call us for further advice if their appetite does not return after a day or so. You can often get rabbits eating again by offering soft fruit as treats and if you heat cat’s food that can help them get their appetite back.
Your pet may need to wear a collar to keep them away from any stitches and you may need to help by distracting them. Other than that, please make sure you administer medication on time, check them daily for any unusual signs and try not to miss follow up appointments.
If you notice anything unusual or have any concerns as their recovery progresses, please don’t hesitate to call us for a little help or reassurance.
