FAQs

I offer:

• home boarding 

• doggy day care

• dog walking 

• drop in visits

• pet sitting

• off road parking while you are away if required (see separate question for more details)

• pick up/drop off of your dog (for day care or boarding) is available for existing clients (see separate question for more details)

Note that I am based in Chandlers Ford (SO53) and the location for services not in my home needs to be viable for me.

• I offer one-to-one dog boarding in my calm, pet-free, child-free home in Chandler’s Ford. Your dog will receive my full attention and care in a peaceful, structured environment—just like part of the family. 

• I'm fully licensed and insured, as legally required. I also have been DBS checked.

• I am a star sitter on Rover, with only 5 star reviews and plenty of repeat clients. You can read some of my reviews on my testimonials page, or directly on my Rover profile.

• I understand how important it is to feel confident when leaving your dog in someone else's care. I aim to make every dog feel safe, loved, and at ease while you're away. I don't accept bookings from new clients without having met the client and the dog, and ensuring you have seen my home and where your dog will be staying.

• My partner is an amateur photographer and enjoys taking photos of our guest dogs and I’ll share these with you after the stay - check out some of the fun photos he's taken throughout my website (all used with the owners permission).

To make sure it’s a good fit for everyone, I follow a two-step meet-and-greet process:

1. Initial meeting – to get to know you and your dog.

2. Home visit – so you can see where your dog will stay, and if possible, meet my partner.

I don’t accept bookings for new dogs unless both steps have been completed. 

Depending on how long your requested booking is, I may suggest a trial night so we all have peace of mind that your dog will be happy in my home.

Off peak rates are as follows:

• home boarding: £36 per night

• doggy day care: £30 per day

• dog walking: from £11* 

• drop in visits: from £15 per visit*

• pet sitting in your home: from £40 per night

*rate will be higher for longer visit/walk

Peak rates (+15%) apply to bookings including school holidays, i.e. 2 weeks at Christmas and Easter, half terms, bank holiday weekends and 6 weeks over the summer (school holidays).

Note that extended care charges apply to boarding if the pick up time on the last day is more than 2 hours later than the drop off time on the first day:

• 2-8 additional hours: 50% of nightly rate

• 8+ additional hours: 100% of nightly rate.

I do not charge a booking fee - if you book me direct the rates above are all you will pay.

Please contact me to check availability for the dates you require. My availability is regularly updating based on new bookings and other commitments therefore to ensure you have up to date availability please get in touch.

Yes, I am fully insured for all services offered and am licensed by Test Valley Borough Council (License number 25/00135/ANIMAL/07/25).

Whilst a DBS check is not required for these activities, I also received a clear DBS related to volunteering in my local school in 2024.

I would be happy to share the details of any or all these on our meet and greet if you would like.

I am based in Chandlers Ford, Eastleigh, SO53. I will share my full address once your booking is confirmed.

Yes, typically this can be arranged for a small additional fee if required.  My driveway is in a quiet cul de sac and covered by a doorbell camera. I am located ~10 mins drive from Southampton Airport Parkway station and Southampton Airport. An Uber to there typically costs ~£12. If you are going away for more than a day (during the week) or two days (at the weekend) typically it will be more cost effective to park here and get an Uber/taxi to the airport/station. Please enquire with details to check availability and costs.

Please complete my contact form to initiate contact. Tell me a little about your dog, and the dates and service you are enquiring about. If you would rather we continue the conversation by text/whatsapp etc we can do that, otherwise I will reply by email.

1. Get in touch with me (using the contact form) and let me know what service you are enquiring about and the date(s).

2. I will get back to you and arrange a meet and greet locally (from the Valley Park Community Centre in Chandlers Ford) so we can get to know each other on a dog walk and I can find out more about your dog.

3. We will also arrange a home visit so you can see where your dog will sleep, and your dog can familiarise themselves with my home and garden.

4. Once everyone is happy with the arrangement, we can confirm the booking and you pay a non refundable deposit to secure the booking. The balance is due 2 weeks before the booking commences. You can of course pay the balance sooner if that is more convenient for you.

Note that depending on the length of the stay I may require a trial night for new dogs so we can both have the confidence that your dog has settled in well with me and in my home.

I accept payment via BACS (I can send you a payment link), or cash, whichever is easier for you. I will of course provide written confirmation of payment received.

I fully appreciate that plans can change, for a variety of reasons. I've structured the policy to be as fair as possible, while accounting for the time it takes to fill the spot.

• For cancellations with more than 14 days (2 weeks) notice: Your initial deposit is non-refundable. This deposit secures your dates, and retaining it helps cover the administrative costs and the difficulty of filling the spot with short notice. If you cancel in this timeframe, your deposit may be transferred to another booking within 12 months, subject to availability.

• For cancellations with 1 to 2 Weeks (7 to 14 days) notice: I will issue a 50% refund of your total booking payment.

• For cancellations with less than 7 Days (1 week) notice: Unfortunately, with this little notice, I cannot offer a refund, as it's typically too late to book another client.

My Promise to You:

If I ever have to cancel your booking, you will promptly receive a full refund, and I promise to do my absolute best to help you find a great alternative provider.

This depends on the length of the stay.

• For shorter stays, 1-3 nights:

  • Off peak booking: £30

  • Peak booking: £40

• For longer stays, 4+ nights:

  • Off peak booking: 25% of the total booking cost

  • Peak booking: 30% of the total booking cost

For information on peak and off peak times, see separate FAQ on prices, under About Pawsome Retreat.

Yes, if you would prefer, you are welcome to book me through Rover. My Rover profile is here. 

Booking direct works out cheaper due to Rover fees but I fully understand if you would like the reassurance of booking through a platform.

To provide the best care possible, I ask that you provide written instructions in advance covering:

• Feeding, walking, and toilet routines

• Any known commands

• Vet contact & insurance details

• Records of latest vaccinations/flea and worming treatment and the next due date (sending a photo of these is fine)

• Any behavioural quirks or important info 

•     Emergency contact who can collect your dog if required

I will contact you in advance of the booking with a reminder to provide this information, along with my address and a packing list.

• Food and water bowls

• Food and treats

• Toys, lead, harness (if used) -  please note I need either a well fitting harness or a car carrier so I can safely transport your dog if required, including so I am prepared in the unlikely event of an emergency

• Bed or crate (if applicable)

• A towel

I have my own treat bag and poo bags, so you don’t need to worry about those. 

I will contact you in advance of the booking with a packing list, what information you need to supply and my address.

Your dog will typically get*:

• At least two walks per day 

• Playtime in my enclosed garden

• Quiet time and cuddles indoors

• Grooming (if you provide brushes)

• Mental stimulation and consistency with home routines.

I always have  fresh water available both in the house and in the garden. For hotter weather there are plenty of shady woods a few minutes walk from my house.

*I’m always happy to adapt feeding times, exercise, and other routines to mirror what your dog is used to, helping them feel relaxed and secure - let's discuss your dog's specific needs and preferences when we meet up. 

I only let dogs off lead when it is a dog I know well, I have tested their recall sufficiently that I am satisfied, we have discussed it and I have explicit consent from you. 

I never let dogs off lead for Rover bookings, as it is against Rovers terms.

Dogs are not allowed upstairs or on the furniture, and if required, there’s a baby gate at the bottom of the stairs. Dogs sleep in my utility room.

If there are any behaviours or house rules you follow at home, I’ll reinforce them here to keep things consistent for your dog, assuming they are compatible with the above house rules.

This depends on a number of parameters: 

• for a short stay of a day or two it is typically possible to ensure your dog is not left alone 

• for an extended stay it is not necessarily feasible to never leave a dog alone, realistically I will need to go out every now and then

I do of course try to minimise going out without a dog while one is staying, and ensure it is only briefly. 

This is something I would like to discuss with you on the meet and greet, to understand what your dog is used to in terms of being left along and staying in other people's homes, and what your expectations are. 

Your dog will sleep in my large, well-lit utility room, which opens directly onto the garden. I usually place their bed under the breakfast bar overhang—it creates a cosy “den” effect that most dogs seem to enjoy - there is a photo of this on the About page.

This room is separated from the kitchen by a baby gate and is closed off at night or if your dog needs drying off after a walk. At other times, your dog will have access to the downstairs areas of the house and the garden under supervision. 

There are no pets or children in my house, and I only board one dog at a time (unless you have two who are used to living/staying together), so your dog will receive all my attention and will not have to interact with unknown dogs in my house. 

Of course! I always send photos of my guest dogs during their stay, so you can see that they are relaxed and enjoying themselves. My partner is an amateur photographer and, time permitting, enjoys taking photos of our guest dogs and I will share these with you after the stay. Most of the photos on this website are his.

I require either a well fitting harness or a car carrier for your dog. This is so that I can transport them by car if required, including in the unlikely event of an emergency.

For a short stay I wouldn't typically transport your dog but on a longer stay I may go for a walk somewhere else , e.g. for a change of scenery.

My car is fitted with a dog guard, which in conjunction with either a harness (which allows me to tether your dog to an anchor point) or a car carrier, allows your dog to be transported safely and securely. This is the set up that was recommended and approved by the animal licensing officer.

Don't panic, I try to be flexible. 

Let me know as soon as you can that you may be late collecting your dog and I will accommodate the situation as best I can. 

I will always keep you updated on how your dog is doing and if I have any concerns. 

If your dog is ill, in consultation with you, I will take them to the vet. You will have supplied your vet and insurance details already which will make this easier.