What is House of Paws Retreat?

House of Paws Retreat manages 1 data type including bookings. Helps you organize, track, and share your work in 1 place for teams and solo users.

How many dogs do you take at one time?

Never more than 4 at once. Day care and home boarding share the same capacity — so 3 boarding dogs and 1 day-care dog, for example, is full. Keeping numbers intentionally small is central to everything we do — it means every dog gets real attention, a calm environment, and a stay that genuinely feels like home. (We can very occasionally accommodate a 5th dog as a short, agreed overlap around arrival and collection times, but only by prior arrangement with Rachel — it's never shown as a bookable space online.)

Are you insured and qualified?

Yes. We are fully insured for home boarding, DBS checked, and pet first aid trained. We are also a 4★ council-licensed home boarder — the highest standard possible in our first year of licensing — and we'll be eligible for a 5★ rating in our second year. Your peace of mind matters as much to us as your dog's comfort.

Are up-to-date vaccinations mandatory?

Yes — up-to-date vaccinations are mandatory for every dog before they can attend, with no exceptions. This covers canine parvovirus, distemper, infectious canine hepatitis (adenovirus) and leptospirosis, and a primary vaccination course must have been completed at least two weeks before the stay. When you create your dog's profile you can either upload a clear photo of their vaccination card or enter the dates and details by hand — we then verify the record before their first stay and may ask to see the original on arrival. Kennel cough is optional, but we record it where applicable.

How does payment work?

Home boarding is booked with a 50% non-refundable deposit, with the remaining balance automatically charged to your card 14 days before arrival. If you book within 14 days of arrival, the full amount is paid at booking. Trial stays and day care are always paid in full at the time of booking. All payments are taken securely through Stripe.

Can I add extra dogs to one booking?

Yes — a single booking can include up to 4 dogs from the same household, with each additional dog charged at a reduced rate shown clearly during booking.

Are early drop-off and late collection available?

Yes, as bookable add-ons shown next to each time when you book. For boarding, early drop-off (8am–11:59am is +£25 first dog, +£15 each extra; 12pm–2:59pm is +£15 first dog, +£10 each extra) and later collection are available subject to availability. For day care, late collection between 6pm and 8pm is +£10. Anything beyond the standard 7am–7pm window is by prior arrangement — just contact us.

What is your cancellation and refund policy?

Cancellations can be made at any time from your account portal, but deposits and payments are non-refundable. We're always happy to discuss moving dates where we can, subject to availability.

What are the check-in and collection times for boarding?

Standard overnight boarding check-in is between 3pm and 6pm, with collection between 8am and 11am. These standard times help us avoid overlapping arrivals and departures with our day-care dogs. Need an earlier drop-off? Early drop-off is available as a bookable add-on — 8am to 11:59am is +£25 for the first dog (+£15 each additional dog), or 12pm to 2:59pm is +£15 for the first dog (+£10 each additional dog), both subject to availability and licensed capacity. You can select your early drop-off time directly during booking.

Is a trial stay required before boarding?

Yes — every new dog completes one relaxed trial stay before their first boarding stay. A day trial covers boarding stays of up to 3 nights; for any stay longer than 3 nights, the overnight trial is required. The trial itself is the introductory settling-in visit — there's no separate free meet and greet to attend beforehand.

Where will my dog sleep?

We have crates available if your dog is crate trained, and multiple different rooms if your dog prefers to sleep separately. We'll talk through what works best for your dog before they arrive.

Are walks included in boarding?

Yes — all boarding stays include two guided walks per day through the Derbyshire countryside. Extra walks can be added on request.

Can I see updates during my dog's stay?

Of course. We send daily photo and video updates so you always know how your dog is getting on. It was always my favourite part when Baxter stayed with someone else.

Do you cater to special dietary needs?

Yes — we feed your dog exactly what you bring, to their usual schedule. Just provide their food and any supplements, and we handle the rest. Routine is everything.

What time can I drop off and collect?

Standard Day Care hours are 8am–6pm (drop-off from 8am, collection by 6pm). Late collections between 6pm and 8pm may be available by prior arrangement and incur a £10 late collection fee; collections after 8pm are charged at the overnight boarding rate, subject to availability. If you need a different drop-off or collection time, just get in touch — all alternative times are subject to availability.

Is a trial stay required before day care?

Yes — every new dog completes a trial stay before their first day care booking. A day trial lets your dog explore our space, meet Baxter, and settle in without any pressure before their first full day. The trial itself is the introductory settling-in visit — there's no separate free meet and greet to attend beforehand.

What are drop-in visits?

We come to your home to feed, toilet and care for your dog while you're out — ideal for puppies, older dogs or dogs who prefer their own space rather than coming to the retreat. You tell us your routine and access arrangements, and we follow them exactly.

Which areas do you cover?

Drop-in visits are available for Regents Green residents and the wider Chesterfield area. Pricing is set by your location and shown when you book.

How long are the visits?

Choose a quick 10–15 minute visit or a full 30-minute visit. Additional dogs in the same household are just £5 per visit.

Do you accept puppies?

Yes, with care — we've been approved and signed off by the council to care for puppies under our 4* licence. We have a gentle puppy programme designed to make their first boarding experience a positive one — shorter stays to begin with, extra reassurance, and close communication with you throughout.

Do you accept entire (unneutered) dogs?

We assess this on a case-by-case basis. Please get in touch to discuss your dog's temperament and we'll advise based on our current guest mix.

Book NowBook

FAQs

Common Questions

Everything you need to know before your dog's first visit. Can't find an answer? Get in touch.

General

Booking & Payment

Boarding

Day Care

Drop-in Visits

Dogs

Still have questions?

We'd love to hear from you. Send us a message and we'll be in touch within 24 hours.

Get in Touch