Frequently Asked Questions
đ Are you Licensed?
Yes, we are fully licensed by Gosport Borough Council for home dog boarding.
This means we meet all the required health, safety, and welfare standards, giving you peace of mind that your dog is in trusted, professional hands.
Our licence is available for anyone to view during a visit. And when you book with us, you can be confident that your dog will stay in our homeâwe do not use host families or third-party carers.
đĄïž Are you Insured?
Yes, we are fully insured through a specialist pet care insurance provider.
Our insurance covers all aspects of our home boarding service, giving you added peace of mind. All documentation is available to view at our premises upon request.
đ Does my dog need to be Vaccinated?
Yes, absolutely.
As part of our licensing requirements set by Gosport Borough Council, all dogs must be fully vaccinated, including protection against Kennel Cough.
Please note:
The primary course of vaccinations must be completed at least 14 days prior to your dogâs first boarding date. This ensures a safe environment for all our guests.
We kindly ask that you bring proof of up-to-date vaccinations to your dogâs Meet & Greet or provide it via email ahead of their stay.
đ Can my dog stay if they are on Medication?
Yes, absolutely; we are happy to administer medication during your dogâs stay.
We follow strict procedures to ensure your dogâs health and safety.
All medication must be clearly labelled with your Vetâs instructions, accurate dosage and timing details.
If your dog requires medication, we will go over everything with you in advance to make sure we fully understand their needs.
All medication will be stored securely and only administered as required.
đ„ What happens if my dog becomes ill during their stay?
Your dogâs wellbeing is our priority; if your dog becomes unwell while in our care, we will take swift action.
Where possible, we will take your dog to your own Registered Vet.
If this isnât practical due to distance or urgency, we will use our trusted local veterinary practice:
Vets for Pets, Rowner Lane, Gosport.
Any veterinary costs incurred during your dogâs stay will be the responsibility of the owner. We will cover the bill initially and you can reimburse us directly upon your return.
Rest assuredâwe will always contact you (or your emergency contact) first, unless immediate action is required for your dogâs health or safety.
đ Are all dogs suitable for Home Boarding?
We aim to provide a calm, safe, and loving environmentâso we can only accommodate friendly, well-socialised family dogs.
We welcome dogs of all breeds, provided they:
Do not suffer from separation anxiety
Are non-aggressive and non-destructive
Are toilet trained and not incontinent
Are not listed with Breed Specific Legislation or Dog Hybrids, registered with the Dangerous Wild Animal Act
If you're unsure whether your dog is a good fit for home boarding, please get in touch; we are always happy to chat about your dogâs personality and needs to see if we are the right match.
đŸ How many dogs stay at one time?
We are licensed to board up to four dogs at a time, in addition to our own resident dog; however, we prefer to welcome just one guest dog at a time to ensure a calm and personalised experience â unless there are additional dogs from the same household.
During busy periods, there may occasionally be a brief overlap between bookings. While we do our best to minimise this, it can sometimes be unavoidable.
đŸ Do you board young dogs?
Yes, we are happy to welcome younger dogsâfrom 6 months of age, provided they are fully toilet trained.
This helps us maintain a calm, clean, and comfortable environment for all our guests. If you have a younger dog you're considering boarding in the future, feel free to get in touchâweâre always happy to discuss their needs and suitability.
đ What should I bring for my dogâs stay at Hounds at Home?
To help your dog settle in comfortably, please bring the following:
Enough food for the full duration of their stay
Feeding instructions, especially if your dog is on a special diet
Treats, if your dog enjoys them
Collar and lead (your dog will be fitted with a Hounds at Home ID tag during their stay)
Bed, blanket, or favourite toysâanything that helps them feel at home
Additionally, we require:
Up-to-date Veterinary details
Emergency contact numbers in case we need to get in touch during your dogâs stay
These items help ensure your dog enjoys a stress-free, familiar, and happy holiday with us.
đ€ Where will my dog sleep?
Your dog will sleep wherever they feel most comfortableâjust like at home.
If your dog is crate-trained and prefers the security of their own crate, please feel free to bring it along. Otherwise, they are welcome to choose their own cosy spot within our home.
We provide a relaxed, homely environment where your dog can settle in naturally and feel safe, secure, and well rested.
đŸ How much exercise will my dog get?
We love our walksâand your dog will too!
Your dog will be exercised in line with their usual routine, ensuring they get the right level of activity they are used to. All dogs are walked on-lead unless you specifically request off-lead walks and provide written consent.
In addition to daily walks, your dog will enjoy plenty of time outdoors in our fully enclosed, dog-proof garden for extra playtime and fresh air.
đ Can I visit Hounds at Home before booking?
Yes, absolutely! We encourage all new clients to schedule a Meet and Greet before booking.
This gives you the chance to see our home, ask any questions, and ensure your dog will be comfortable and happy in our care. It also provides us with the opportunity to learn about your dogâs routine, preferences, and any special needs they may have.
A Meet and Greet offers peace of mind, not only for you, but for us as well, ensuring weâre fully prepared to provide the best care possible for your dog.
đł What payment methods do you accept?
We currently accept cash and bank transfer for payment.
If you have any questions or need assistance with the payment process, please donât hesitate to get in touch.
đ Booking confirmation & deposits
To secure your booking, we require a deposit as follows:
1â5 Days Boarding: ÂŁ30 deposit
Over 5 Days Boarding: 25% of the total balance
You can pay your deposit by bank transfer or cash. We kindly ask that all deposits are paid within 5 days of receiving your booking confirmation. If the deposit is not received within this time, your dates may be offered to other clientsâplease note, we do not send reminders.
If you're unable to pay within 5 days, just let us know by email and weâll do our best to accommodate.
The remaining balance is due on or before the check-in date.
đ What happens if I need to cancel my booking?
We understand that plans can change. If you need to cancel your booking, we ask that you please notify us as soon as possible. Our cancellation policy is as follows:
Prior to 28 days: ÂŁ30 admin charge payable
28 to 15 days' notice: 50% of the remaining balance is payable
14 to 8 days' notice: 75% of the remaining balance is payable
7 to 1 days' notice: 100% of the remaining balance is payable
We do our best to be understanding and flexible, but these charges help us manage our bookings and ensure we can provide the best service to all of our clients.
đ¶ Do you have your own dogs?
Yes, we do! We share our home with Fred, our elderly Jack Russell. Fred is a gentle soul and a true social dogâhe gets along beautifully with both two-legged and four-legged visitors. He loves having company and is always happy to welcome new friends into his home.