A first stay at a Margate, Thanet or Swale boarder or day care

Many of the eighteen boarders, day cares and kennels listed across Margate, Thanet and Swale build some kind of trial or introduction into a first booking, rather than a straight drop-off. What that looks like, and whether there is a charge for it, varies by business, so it is worth asking exactly how a first visit will run.

Trials, meet-and-greets and evaluations

Several home boarders here ask for a meet-and-greet or a trial before a full stay: Nic's Dog Retreat in Iwade requires a meet-and-greet for every booking, plus a trial night for any first stay longer than three nights; Paws 'n' Play in Eastchurch runs a meet-and-greet and a four-hour evaluation period before registering a new dog; CallyWags in Borden offers a free initial visit and some taster time so a dog can settle in gradually. Bedima Boarding Kennels in Margate offers a complimentary trial day for first-time boarders, and Rosie's Retreat near Sandwich asks for a pre-assessment before a dog's first stay in its purpose-built kennels.

What to pack and what to expect at handover

None of the eighteen businesses listed here publish a fixed packing list, so ask directly what to bring: usually food for the length of the stay, any medication with clear instructions, and a lead. For home boarders such as Amble Dogs, Auntie Kirsty's Canine Care, CallyWags, Milton Paws, Nic's Dog Retreat, Pals With Tails, Paws 'n' Play and Sandy Tails, handover happens at the boarder's own home, which is given to you once you book rather than published here. Premises-based kennels such as Manston Boarding Kennels & Cattery set fixed drop-off and collection windows — Manston's are Monday to Saturday, 8am to 10am and 4pm to 6pm, with other times by appointment.

Collection

Ask about collection when you book: Tawnyhill Boarding Kennels near Doddington restricts drop-off and collection to set morning and afternoon windows, and Butterstone Pet Boarding near Faversham asks for collection by 5.30pm. Confirm times directly, especially around a bank holiday or over Christmas and New Year, when some businesses here charge a higher rate.

Questions to ask before a first stay

• What does a trial day, meet-and-greet or evaluation involve, and is there a charge for it?
• What should I bring, and how much food or medication should I leave?
• How will you handle it if my dog is anxious on the first day?
• What are your drop-off and collection times, and are they flexible?
• How will I hear how my dog is getting on during the stay?
• Will my dog be with other dogs, and if so how many and from how many households?

See our guide to vaccinations, licences and what to ask for the questions worth putting to any business before you book at all.