A first stay at a Basingstoke dog boarder

All 26 dog boarders listed for Basingstoke work from their own home, so a first stay usually starts with a shorter visit, letting both sides see how a dog settles before a longer booking. Ask whether a trial day or meet-and-greet is available even where a boarder's own page does not mention one; it is worth asking regardless of which of the 26 you call.

Before you book: ask for a trial

None of Basingstoke's boarders is required to offer a trial, so treat it as a request rather than an assumption. A trial lets a boarder see how your dog settles in a house alongside their own family and any other dogs staying at the same time, and lets you see the garden and the daily routine before committing to a longer stay.

What to pack

Take your dog's usual food for the length of the stay, any medication with clear written instructions, a bed or blanket that smells of home, and a lead and collar with an up-to-date tag. Hilltop Dogs, in the Basingstoke centre area, takes only small and medium dogs up to 50cm at the shoulder, so check whether a size limit applies before you turn up on the day.

Handover on the day

Give the person taking your dog a clear account of feeding times, health issues and how your dog behaves around other dogs and people, since this is the point at which a boarder can adjust its plan for your dog specifically. Boardwalkers, run by a registered veterinary nurse of more than fifteen years' experience, and Follow My Lead, run by a former assistance-dog trainer, are two examples where the boarder's own background is worth asking about directly if your dog has particular needs.

Opening hours and collection

Hilltop Dogs states hours of Monday to Friday 8am to 6pm, with weekends by appointment; WhiteWalks states 9.30am to 2pm, with other times available by booking. Neither says what happens if you are early or late, so ask directly, and ask whether a bank holiday changes the price before you book.

Meeting a home boarder first

Because every Basingstoke listing here is a home boarder, the address is only given once you book, not published on this site. Use a meet-and-greet to see the garden, ask how many other dogs might be there at the same time, and find out what a typical day in the house looks like, rather than relying on a written description alone. iCare Pet Services, based in the Overton area, says it also covers Oakley and Whitchurch, so ask exactly where your dog would actually stay if you are booking with a boarder who covers more than one area.

Franchise branches

Trusted Pet Carers Basingstoke and We Love Pets Basingstoke both work through a named local franchise operator rather than a single fixed address of their own. Ask which specific person your dog would actually stay with on the day, not just about the franchise name, and ask the same questions about a trial, packing and handover as you would of any other boarder.