Boarding In Melb (raw Fed, With Swims Ideally)

[Steph M]

Hi DOL brains!

We just managed to snaffle $10 Melb to Hobart flights thru Tiger for a week in October, I know this is stupidly early but we are starting to think about Boarding the canines. Not sure what we will do with the cats yet, depends how captain neurosis (the most expensive cat ever) is, but they might stay with our vet in case he stresses himself sick.

Anyway, we have requirements as follows

In Melbourne, obviously, happy to travel to drop them in though

Would love somewhere that feeds raw, barf or whole or otherwise. I don’t love the idea of them having to change diet when there’s already a lot going on.

Would love somewhere that has facilities for swimming. Gus would be all about this. This is one of my great priorities.

Rosie likes to mix, I know this might get me shot out of the sky but she is a dog who takes comfort in other dogs, so if she can have controlled, supervised play times with other dogs I would like to consider that, either way she needs to run once or twice a day and they both thrive on human contact.

Really want somewhere that will be happy if I check in every second day. I saw one website that charged extra if you wanted to check in with them!

I thought about the pets at home sitter types, but I don’t want them left to their own devices all night. They sleep inside and need to wee through the night etc.

I looked into Kepala being first preference but not sure if they can accommodate raw food.

I would love, love love to hear suggestions or criticisms, anything is helpful!

PM is totally fine by the way!

[Cosmolo]

I think most kennels would allow raw if it was provided by the owner though. Kepala is the only one i know with a pool- beautiful facility.

[Steph M]

It really is! I am more than happy to package some food up for them, I will contact them shortly, just wanted to see what everyone thought first. I might be missing a total gem!

[megan_]

My dogs go to cosmolo, but I don't know if she takes non- clients. She doesn't have a pool but feeds them my food, has a pack of well behaved dogs and my dogs love them (humans and dogs included). Best of all I feel safe that my dogs are with pros who socialise and supervise them appropriately. Lucy is nervous and doesn't like " in your face" dogs but has made a number of friends there over the course of a few days.

Now, when I drop them off there is no crying at the door, they run in and don't look back.

[Dogsfevr]

Most kennels will feed raw,we personally don't supply but the owners can within reason & that also means being considerate of the kennels freezer space.

Many of our raw feeders modify for kennel time .

From a kennel point of view who does have clients that feed raw only & bring prepared foods please also work with the kennel if the amount supplied doesn't keep the weight on .

Many of our clients weigh the portions & the amount supplied is often not suitable & it becomes an issue when you phone the contacts or the owners who insist on only feeding what is supplied & often we have no idea what diet (meat wise) has been supplied especially patties .

We are left with a situation of dog/s losing weight & some owners not willing to work in with a back up plan but will also complain if the dog has lost weight .

Personally i would worry more about exercise time facilities than the pool ,some places they only get out for 10 mins & any longer you have to pay ,dogs need to get out as much as possible .

As for playing depends what is in ,no kennel can guarantee a suitable friend & many owners request there dogs not to socialize .

We don't charge extra for check ins but i can understand why some kennels may charge ,we get people ring multi times a day ,they get all the family to call,they call out of hours worse still midnight early mornings due to time differences .

We encourage emails but would never charge but do tell owners who want to call often to be considerate when phoning given we are busy looking after the dogs

[LisaCC]

I'm hoping to book Nova in to Alfoxton kennels for a week north of Melbourne soon. I can let you know how it goes after :)

[Staff'n'Toller]

If you definitely want the pool/dog run exercise, I would go with Kepala. I've met a couple of the owners and that's where I'd board my Toller (crazy water dog). :)