The Wellmans (DOG HOME BOARDING) Small Animal Boarding and Pet Care

Small Pet Boarding Information

About Our Boarding Service:

I have many years experience of animal care and own Mabel, Westie and Ellie, Border Terrier, several rabbits, guinea pigs (sadly the last 2 of my large family now passed over the Rainbow Bridge), chickens and a female cockatiel. The Wellmans offer a 24 hour Home from Home caring service for small animals whilst their owners have a day out, weekend away or annual holiday. Our doggie visitors live in our cottage with our two dogs and are treated as one of the family. This puts their owners minds at ease and therefore, able to enjoy their time away. With other small animals, I try to make sure that their living quarters mimic what they are used to in their home and garden.

I have worked for a vet practice and assisted a local charity with fostering of small animals. I am a member of the National Association of Registered Petsitters. Insured and Police checked. Licensed by North Devon District Council for Boarding Dogs in my home.

Accommodation:

Numerous hutches and runs (various sizes to accommodate small to large breeds). I have recently replaced my older hutches with Primrose Cottages and Primrose Den from Pets at Home, constructed in conjunction with the Rabbit Welfare Association. All hutches have weatherproof covers supplied by Scratch and Newton. During winter periods I have a large shed with light and heating. Dogs are boarded within my home (not a kennel!).

Dogs, birds, hamsters, mice, (I do take tortoises in too!) etc. you will need to supply your own beds, cages, bedding, bowls and food. With rabbits and guinea pigs, we supply, housing, bedding, water bottles or bowls, if preferred, hay, fresh vegetables (from our veg patch), and fruit. We use litter trays for rabbits, if your rabbit/s use a litter tray please bring this with you or a small bag of their dirty bedding. With rabbits and guinea pigs, we like to keep them on their regular dry food due to their sensitive guts, so would ask you to supply enough of their dry food for the duration of their stay. Should you wish to bring your own particular hay, for instance, please do. All feeding requirements, etc, will be discussed in full at the time of booking.

Exercise:

For the small animals I have various sized runs with plastic covers for those rainy days.

For the doggie visitors, plenty of walks with my dogs at nearby woods, fields and of course, the beach!

Health & Hygiene:

All my pets are vaccinated where appropriate. I do not insist on my furry, hairy or feathered visitors being vaccinated but supply relevant leaflets to read before boarding care begins. Each year there have been many reported cases of myxomatosis in domestic rabbits in our area June through to November, so due to this any rabbit would now need to be vaccinated every 6 months and at least 14 days before commencement of boarding. VHD (Viral Haemorrhagic Disease) vaccination is also recommended for rabbits.

I am able to inject and administer any medications needed should any pet have a medical problem. A Medication Permission Form will be filled in with the relevant details at the time of booking.

Since 2008, I have been licensed to board dogs in my home by North Devon District Council, licence no: ABO0038. I am unable to board dogs without meeting them first. Requirements would be a neutral ground walk with my 2 girls then a visit to my cottage and garden. As I own small animals and chickens and also board small animals I need to be assured that any dog/s I board would behave in the garden. It also helps me to assess how happy your dog/s will be staying with us. If I am unsure about the wellbeing of your dog/s, I offer a free of charge day/possible day and overnight stay.

Small Pet Boarding Tarif

Prices quoted are per 24 hour period or part thereof. Discounts will be given if multiple pets and longer breaks away. At the initial first meeting, I will supply you with a copy of my Petsitters certificate (which includes the information on insurance), dog boarding licence (this is also displayed in my home) and my Terms and Conditions.

A 25% non-returnable booking deposit will be requested to secure the booking for boarding. Should I have to cancel for unforeseen crcumstances, your deposit will be refunded back to you.

PAYMENT IS DUE ON COMMENCEMENT DAY OF BOARDING PLEASE. If paying by cheque for the balance, this would need to be sent to me 2 weeks before the commencement date.

N.B. 2/3 maximum small/medium dogs only catered for per booking (From the same owner). I do have larger dogs as customers and will consider larger dogs as long as they are pretty laid back.

Other Services

Services: GroomingClaw Clipping

For rabbits and guinea pigs I offer a free claw clip and general health check during their stay. All pets staying will be checked on a daily basis for flystrike. Should they need bathing we are very happy to bath and groom them should we feel that they are at risk.

Rearguard (for rabbits) available from your vet, can be used on your pets who may be susceptible to flystrike. If you have concerns about your other small animals (guinea pigs etc) please call your vet for advice on the best treatment to use. This will be discussed in full at the time of booking.

Now offering home visits, if you have multiple small animals and short term house sits.

Boarding Facility Images