What are the most important questions you should be asking when choosing a pet care service?

There are many excellent dog service providers, boarders, day care, walkers and pet sitters throughout Folkestone and Hythe. Home From Home are always ready to welcome you as a new client but if you choose another provider, we want to be sure you still have excellent care for your dog(s).

(Just for understanding a dog sitter - will come to “your home” and be with your dog for the duration of your absence.

A dog boarder/day care provider will have your dog/s “in their own home” and be with your dog for the duration of your absence)

Home From Home may not be able to help you and in that event will be happy to provide you with numbers of other local providers who are licensed and insured.

Here are some example questions you should be asking:

Does the company/person offering any day care or boarding service hold a current, up-to-date licence ? (always ask for the licence number and check it is valid, the details of the licence number should be readily available to you). As a licensed provider, each of us must have the licence hung up within our own home and visible.
It is also a requirement that the licence number should be displayed or used on any providers website, together with any social media they may use to promote their business. If the provider cannot provide a licence number then check with the council locally.
Even if the provider tells you they have applied for a licence, it is illegal to trade without a licence for day care and boarding, so always check the status.
You can check the current licence list at www.folkestone-hythe.gov.uk, or you can call the licensing team and they would be happy to provide you with information that you require.
If a provider is offering a service and they are not licenced, your pet could be at risk. The licence itself cost providers for day care and boarding a lot of money and we are regulated and inspected.
As a licensed provider we can be and are inspected on an adhoc basis without prior notice by DEFRA or our governing council.
***Please note that dog walkers and sitters do not have to be licenced, however do check they have insurance***

Is the company/person offering the service insured? Can they provide details when asked, if they can’t, why not - ask.
Ask to see the public liability insurance and vehicle insurance, if the company have means of transporting animals. Make sure that they hold insurance that covers animals in transit.
Do they have the correct insurance cover in place for a chaperone service? not all insurance policies cover this area, so it is important you check with the service provider and ask the question. The provider should be happy to provide proof if required. This is particularly important for providers that operate a dog/wedding chaperone service. Most wedding venues will ask if the provider has insurance and again, this should be available to you and them. This insurance differs from that for dog walking and sitting and/or dogs in transit.

Are they DBS (CRB) checked? this is not a requirement but definitely worth having - make sure it is unique to the provider and not one from any previous employment.
What training do they have, any provider will be happy to disclose the information to you? Any provider should be happy to share with you any qualifications they may have.

Will you be made aware of an issue that may arise and will you be updated on a regular basis? providers should always make an owner aware of any situation. If they can’t make contact direct with the owner the emergency contact person should be made aware.
What chemicals does the provider use and are they pet safe? Under their licence the provider has to use specific disinfectants and cleaner - ask your provider to confirm which product they use. Shop brought disinfectants and cleaners can be harmful to pets paws, so its always worth asking. Ask to see the COSHH sheet against the chemicals that they use.

How many animals does the licence state the provider can have to board or for day care? check the number against the licence either on the local council website or by calling the licensing department at the local council direct. The provider should always have the license on display within their property. This will clearly state the amount of resident dogs and also the amount their are licenced for. Check the dates are valid and not expired.
How will your pet be transported if needed and does the operator adhere to Rule 57 of the Highway Code? does the provider have cage/s or restraints to transport your pet safely. Again this comes into play when a chaperone is attending a wedding and has to transport a dog. Also when collecting or dropping off a dog. Even a pet taxi would need to adhere to this ruling.
How many animals do they actually have during the day care/boarding sessions, make sure their licence allows the amount they state, are you confident they keep within those numbers?
The amount of dogs allowed on a license is set according to room’s for separation, an isolation room, strict guidance from The Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities involving animals) (England) Regulations. (these are updated regularly and providers should be aware of the policies within the act), training and evidence is also required.
Providers are inspected and these are ad hoc inspections, so making sure your provider is licensed is paramount.
Are you confident all animals attending day care/boarding are vaccinated and up to date? under the licence a record should be kept up to date and the provider should hold the most current vaccine details for any dog/s in their care. Providers that do not keep up to date records and allow vaccines to lapse - could be putting your dog at risk of illness.
Are you confident that your pet is attended to and monitored whilst in their care for day care/boarding? does the service provider report back any issues, i.e. stomach upset, distress, etc? any provider should report any issue to the owner no matter how big or small.
Do they offer a meet and greet and are you happy to leave your animal in their care? this meeting is key to ensuring your happy to leave your pet in a providers care. You should be able to see the environment and meet with the staff and they should answer any questions you may have - open and honestly.

Remember to always trust your gut feeling and if you are not happy about something - ask. Any boarder/day care service provider will be happy to listen and help with concerns. They should be transparent in their service and you should feel comfortable to leave your pet with them.

Information on this website cannot be copied without prior permission from Home From Home.