FAQs Boarding Kennels

At Green Lane Farm, we welcome all dogs, regardless of their breed, with the same love and care we would give to our own. With a team of dedicated staff, we are committed to creating a safe and friendly home from home for your dogs whilst they’re staying at our dog boarding kennels.

Can my friend/relative come and visit my pet whilst I am away?

I'm afraid not. Past experience has shown that especially with dogs, this can cause upset, provoking symptoms such as upset tummies and refusing food.

Sometimes walking away from your pet, especially those that haven't been left before, can be equally as traumatic for them as it can be for you. So I'm sure you'll agree it's a bit unfair to do it to them over and over again!

If your pet is with us for a long term stay, we can arrange for your pet to be visited, but this depends on the character of your pet and how we think they would cope in the situation.

What if my pet is not settling in?

In the very rare case that we are unable to do anything to settle your dog into their new environment (we have never known a bird or other small pet to be traumatised over being left!), and we have serious concerns over their wellbeing, we will get in touch with your emergency contact (all animals must be left with at least one emergency contact number).

My dog is very nervous. How do you deal with nervous animals?

We are always very grateful if you can inform us at the time of booking if your pet is a tad nervous, so that we can have a suitable/quiet pen/kennel ready and waiting for them.

We never force your pets into greeting us – we will let them come to us in their own time. Trust is the key, so with nervous animals we will work on building that trust with your pet as soon as their holiday begins. You may also find the following suggestions helpful:

Come and visit us with your dog before their holiday is due to start so they can get familiar with the surroundings. You could even let them have a trial overnight stay. This way, they will know where they are, who they're with and, most importantly, that their owners will be coming back! It will also be good for us to see how your pet reacts/behaves to the kennel experience and will allow us to judge the best area for your pet when they come for their proper holiday. We will tell you exactly how your pet dealt with their experience, and we will also give our honest opinion as to whether we feel a kennel is a suitable choice for your pet as it's not for everyone.

Another tried and tested method: try wearing an old T-shirt or jumper a day or two before holiday time and send it along with your dog. A familiar home scent can really make all the difference.

Hiding. I know it sounds silly but some animals feel a lot safer and at ease if they can have that little space they can escape into and shut the world away. If we feel that your pet may benefit from this, we can supply hooded beds/crates for them. Simply request this at the time of booking.

If your dog suffers extreme nervousness or separation anxiety, why not try an over-the-counter remedy? Your local veterinary surgeon can discuss with you what is best for your pet. Please keep in mind that it can take up to two weeks for some treatments to take effect, so don't leave it too late!

What injections does my dog need?

Prior to boarding, you should ensure your dogs are protected against Parvovirus, Leptospirosis, Parainfluenza, Distemper and Hardpad disease. Always check with your vet prior to boarding to ensure all your dogs' vaccinations are up-to-date, and remember they cannot be boarded until 7-14 days post-vaccination (depending on the vaccination they recieve). Remember to bring the vaccination card along with you!

Does my dog need the kennel cough (Tracheobronchitis) vaccine?

In short, we do advise it but we do not insist on it. The vaccination does not protect against every strain of cough there is, so even after having the vaccination, they could still contract it.

If you do decide to have the vaccination done, please have it done 14 days prior to your dogs arrival as it is a live vaccine that can cause your dog to produce the kennel cough virus. If your dog is coughing before their stay with us, I’m afraid we cannot accept them.

Can I come and have a look around before my pet is due to come in?

Absolutely! In fact we encourage pet owners to come and see us.

Our viewing hours are from 10am - 12:00 noon, then 1:30pm - 3:30pm any day except Sundays, Wednesdays and Bank Holidays as we are closed to both the public and our clients on these days. You do not need to inform us of your visit – just pop along when you are ready.

I need to drop off/pick up on a Wednesday, Sunday, Bank Holiday. Is this possible?

I'm afraid not as we are closed all day throughout the year on these days.

We do suggest to clients who need to start boarding on one of our closed days that they see if they have a friend or relative who wouldn't mind dropping their pet off when we’re next open. This can also save on extra costs. If this is not possible, then it will be an extra day on the invoice.

The same applies for departures, unless, again there is a friend or relative who can collect for you the day before. In this instance, we would need to be notified if anyone other than you will be collecting your pet, otherwise we will not release them.

What is the difference between the standard kennels and the luxury kennels?

Standard

The standard kennels are set in a brick building with solid walls dividing them to prevent any intimidation at meal and rest times. The dogs have access to their outside area via a hatchway at alternate times throughout the day. It is located at the rear of the kennel and they can come and go as they please. The dogs can see their neighbours when they go outside, but mixing with strangers is not allowed. We do also have covered kennels for escapers/high jumpers, so please let us know at the time of booking if your pooch is a known Houdini!

Luxury

The luxury kennels vary in size and can accommodate family groups quite comfortably. They are wooden built individual chalets with their own private grass garden (the standard kennel runs are concrete). The luxury kennels are only available from April - September (if we are blessed with half decent weather we can sometimes open them from March - October - Please check at time of booking), as they are not yet suitable for overnight sleeping due to not having a heating system (all kennel blocks are fully heated). We have limited chalets available and they do book out fast, so if you’re planning an Easter or Summer holiday and would like to treat your dog to a bit of luxury, you need to book well in advance.

My dog/rabbit/etc. really likes playing with others. Can they play with all the other dogs/rabbits/etc?

Unfortunately not. We truly understand that some animals do love the company of others but we cannot guarantee those others will like your pet’s company! For obvious reasons, it is safer for everybody to keep everyone separated – unless, of course, you personally have a family group. Let’s not forget, none of the animals are completely isolated; they can see their neighbours and have regular human contact!