Vale Farmhouse

General information

We offer a genuine alternative to kennels whilst you are away. Your dog or dogs will be cared for as part of our family.

We have eight dogs ourselves – two Labradors who are brother and sister, Bailey and Tasha; two Springer Spaniels, Holly and Daisy; two border collies who are father and son, Zak and Frankie; a Shepherd/Husky mix, Gracie and an elderly, 3-legged rescue Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Nell.

We have eight dedicated suites in our house which are furnished to feel like a home from home for your dog with sofas, real beds, dog beds and radios tuned in to Classic fm. Many veterinary practices and animal rescue centres find that playing classical music helps to keep dogs calm and relaxed.

We can also supply Adaptil pheromone collars to help your dog to settle in, extra charges apply. Adaptil is non-medicinal and helps to keep dogs calm. It is recommended by vets. For more information have a look at http://www.adaptil.co.uk

All rooms have individually controlled heating so that we can suit every dog's needs.

We have 3 further heated and furnished garden rooms in our converted stables. Cheltenham, Ascot and Aintree.

Our exercise facilities are secure paddocks where your dogs can play to their hearts’ content with our other guest dogs.

Please note, that whilst we supervise the dogs carefully and select an appropriate mix of dogs for each paddock, by their nature, dogs' play can be exuberant.

We watch and intervene if dogs are over excited and too boisterous, but please be aware that normal dog play can result in minor scratches or the odd nip. It is not usual, but occasionally it is possible.

We only allow play between dogs of equal size and energy levels.

Very young or elderly dogs or dogs with health conditions are kept separately to keep them happy and safe. Very often this means in our lounge or conservatory !!

We only take dogs who are fully vaccinated, neutered and friendly with pople and other dogs.

We will ask for your full contact details and for you to bring vaccination cards and details of your vet for our records (which we keep in accordance with data protection legislation and will never share with any other person or organisation). We like you to bring your dog’s usual food and bed so that everything is familiar for them.

We will need an emergency contact whilst you leave your dog with us. This should be a person who can make decisions on your behalf or be able to take your dog in, for example; if you have a female that has come into season whilst with us; if we are worried that your dog is really not settling and needs alternative arrangements for their own welfare; if we have a crisis (eg a fire) and we need to remove dogs in an emergency.

If your dog requires regular medication or a vet visit whilst you are away, then please speak to us as we are happy to do this for you. Extra charges will apply.

Before you entrust your dog to us, we like you to come and visit first. We always suggest, especially if your dog hasn’t been away from you before, that they come for a short stay before you leave them for a long holiday.

We are happy to have your dog overnight, just for the day, or for a number of days or weeks. If you need regular day care for your dog whilst you’re at work, please talk to us about what arrangements may be possible.