Hounds on Holidays
ABOUT US
Hello, I am Emma from Hounds on Holidays. We offer a true home from home luxury dog sitting service in Hereford. Our guest dogs are treated just like one of our own furry family. Given all the love and personal attention our own dogs are. Living in our home with us, sleeping on sofas, being fussed and cuddled to bits and running about our large secured garden as well as going for proper walks in the countryside.
With over 50 years experience caring for dogs between Simon and I , we are confident we can offer your best friend a luxury holiday experience and give them a loved, safe and fun filled time while you’re unable to be with them. We are fully insured and licenced with a 4 star rating, the highest rated home dog sitting service in Hereford city.
There is always at least 1 human home and often 3 or more and they get to play with our 2 dogs so it’s great for dog association skills if they lack them. We are fully protected with CCTV inside and outside the house recording 24/7. Your dogs are NEVER left alone and always have somebody to play with.
If you want to just get started super quickly then rates, consent forms, vaccination requirements etc, can be found here or choose “Start Here” from the main menu. Or for more about us read on.
A little bit about me… My love of animals has been with me from a young age. I grew up with an English Springer Spaniel Rusty and a crazy terrier Sam . I rode horses as a teenager and still love horses but dogs are my passion.
As a family, Simon my husband and our two daughters owned Harry from a puppy to 16 years old, he was incredibly loved and got me into running (my kind of meditation) which led to completing two marathons.
When Harry passed at 16 years old, the gap he left was too much for our hearts to bare and six months later we got Merlin (wizard theme here !) another mad Springer. Then last year along came Wanda ( Marvel’s Scarlet Witch), she is a red Working Cocker Spaniel.
So our canine family consists of two energetic, cuddly spaniels who are always keen to meet new friends – staying over for a few hours for day care, a night or for a full holiday.
I am certified in both pet first aid and dog sitting. I hold a full DBS check for my role in the education sector and we have complete pet liability insurance via Protectivity Insurance. For how everything works with us and what to do next please read the “start here” page.. It has a simple 1-2-3 step process including all the information you need.
Drop me a line with any questions. All contact details are at the bottom of the page. I may not be able to reply immediately but it won’t be more than a few hours.
Thanks X
WhY us ?
Maybe you’re off to a wedding, at work all day or planning a holiday, whatever the reason, we know where your best friend goes is a major decision. We also know from personal experience, even if well meaning, traditional boarding kennels don’t suit all dogs, and definitely cannot give the home from home attention that we do. With us, your pup or dog can still feel loved and fussed while your away.
Your dog will live with us as one of our own and do all the doggie things Merlin and Wanda do. From swimming, walkies, playing fetch, sleeping wherever they want, being hugged and stroked to bits, charging about the garden, sunbathing on the garden furniture, sofa surfing and crazy hour of course !
Our priority is making sure your dog is happy. Being away from owners can initially be hard for some dogs and we’re really aware of that , we get it. If they need lots of love to assure them they are safe , we’re happy to oblige, however, most just immediately play with Merlin and Wanda and forget their worries. Our dogs are full of love for everybody and every dog they meet and enjoy the company.
We make sure we are well prepared to make sure they are looked after properly and they are NEVER left in the house on their own, there is always at least one of us in the home at all times. So our service is a real home from home alternative to traditional boarding kennels, your dog will have the freedom of our house, companionship of our family and generally just chill and have fun like all dogs deserve.
I walk Merls and Wanda twice a day and these walks’ can be tailored to your dogs needs. We live in Hereford with walks to the River Lugg on our doorstep or a short trip in the car for more adventures. I don’t charge for walking your dog, it’s all part of the dog holiday service.
I’m happy to give the relevant medications and ensure they eat in isolation to adhere to a specific diet etc. If you have special requirements please ensure you add that on the client / pet form agreement when you attend the meet and greet.
All we ask is that your dog has had the relevant vaccinations and been treated for fleas and worms. Please note for obvious reasons we can’t accept aggressive dogs of any kind, sorry.
Thank you Emma x
BORING RULES/REquirements
Hi. If you’re considering Hounds on Holidays, please do read all the information on this page.
TO NEUTER or NOT TO NEUTER ….. ALSO NO GIRLS IN SEASON PLEASE EVER!
We no longer accept ANY male dogs over 1 year old unless they are neutered or had the chemical castrations yearly injection.
If they are under 1 year old and un neutered they must be under 15kg.
We No longer accept dogs over 30 kg.
We tried to accommodate un-neutered but it has caused too many problems to continue.
Because the dogs live with us , under our feet in the home in every sense we have to consider our smaller guests, some males if not neutered can be very boisterous, try to hump over dogs etc and it isn’t viable to have big dogs operate in that way with smaller dogs in a home environment. Note, how well an unneutered dog behaves in the company of other dogs outside on a walk is not an indication of how they will behave in a home environment.
They can also be problematic on walks when dogs they do not know venture near them etc when you’re trying to walk 2 or 3 dogs at the same time. So for those reasons, sorry , we no longer risk it. We do recommend looking at the chemical castration injection which lasts 1 year and is not permanent.
Girls can not under any circumstances stay with us when in season, sorry. If your dog comes into season when staying with us they will have to be either isolated at a fee of £50 a day additional to their sitting fee or we can contact your emergency contact to come and collect them. Please be aware of this.
Vaccinations & worming, fleas etc
Dogs must be micro-chipped please. Owners must provide evidence of up to date vaccination records. Phone camera shot or physical record. A vaccination record is needed to adhere to the Animal Welfare Regulations Act 2018. Dates of last flea and worming treatment also compulsory. This must be uploaded on your consent form if your dog is a match after our meet and greet.
MICRO CHIPPING
Dogs must be micro-chipped please.
Vet’s and insurance
While we hope this should never happen, if your dog shows signs of illness and you’re not contactable or unable to return to collect your dog it is our duty to ensure the highest level of care and that may mean a vet being involved. That means, whether you have pet insurance or not, you the owner are liable for ANY AND ALL costs incurred for that veterinary treatment. You will be asked to sign an agreement form before your dog is allowed to stay with us to confirm that you approve us to do so.
Please bring a secure collar with name tag loop
Please make sure your dog has a secure good quality collar they can’t escape from. Ideally with a tag loop. This ensures we can keep them as safe and secure as possible. While they stay with us, they will also have a special Hounds on Holidays tag added to their collar which will provide secondary contact information to your own.
Your dog needs to be a good boy/girl
We don’t need your dog to be an angel. Some “ruff-housing” between dogs is 100% fine and they love it, it’s natural even if it can sound like they are killing each other at times but as long as both tails are wagging, it’s not a problem. But clearly aggressive, biting or snarling or any behaviour of that nature will not be tolerated. Your emergency contact must be in place should your dog attack another dog etc you will have to collect your dog immediately.
Cancellation Policy AND Payment
Payment is made when you drop off your dog for short stays and for long stays we require 50% deposit 14 days in advance and the remainder paid in cash on drop off or the night before by bank transfer. We can currently accept cash, Paypal or bank transfer. If your dogs necessary booster and kennel vaccinations (as outlined above) are out of date, or you arrive without first providing proof of vaccination, Hounds on Holidays will not be able to care for your dog due to licencing restrictions on unvaccinated dogs.It is the law. It is the clients responsibility to make sure they are aware of these terms and conditions prior to booking. We do not provide refunds if you fail to adhere to this as your dog has taken the space of a paying customer.
ISOLATION POLICY
If your dog becomes ill or shows symptoms that cause concern whilst in our care , you understand that your dog will need to be isolated from the other dogs in my care for their own safety. In the first instance I would call you to inform you of the situation, I will also contact your vet and if necessary make an appointment for an assessment with them. Should you not be contactable and where necessary I would contact your emergency person named on your paperwork.
Additional Details
- No
- No
FAQs
emmaharrisonbiz@gmail.com
Own or work here?
Claim Now!
Claim Now!
