Policies & frequently asked questions
The rules exist so that every dog staying here is safe and comfortable — including yours. Anything not covered below, just ask.
Before your dog stays
What every dog needs
Vaccinations, flea and worm treatment
Every dog must be fully vaccinated and up to date, with flea and worm treatment current. Please bring the vaccination card along to the meet & greet so I can take a record of it.
This isn't red tape for the sake of it — with several dogs sharing a house, one unprotected dog puts all of them at risk.
Breeds and sizes
There's no fixed breed or size restriction. Every dog is considered on their own merits at the meet & greet — temperament matters far more than what it says on the pedigree.
What I do think about is the mix. A boisterous young lab and a nervous elderly terrier in the same week may not be fair on either, so occasionally I'll suggest different dates.
Entire males and bitches in season
Entire (intact) male dogs are accepted on request — just mention it when you enquire, and we'll talk it through at the meet & greet.
Bitches in season cannot be accepted, at any time. It's genuinely unsettling for the other dogs in the house and unfair on everyone, including her. If a season starts unexpectedly before a booking, get in touch as soon as you can and we'll sort something out.
How many dogs stay at once?
A maximum of four dogs at any one time. That includes daycare dogs and Poppy herself — it's the ceiling for the whole house, not per service.
They're together through the day, but each dog also has a room of their own to retreat to. So if your dog needs feeding separately, gets tired of the company, or sleeps better alone, that's all easily done.
It does mean popular dates book up, so if you know your holiday dates, it's worth getting in touch early.
Money
Deposits, payment & cancellations
How and when do I pay?
A 50% deposit is due at the time of booking — that's what actually holds the dates for you. The balance is due 24 hours before the stay or service begins.
Payment is by card, handled securely through Stripe. There's no online booking system to wrestle with; I'll send you the details once we've agreed the dates.
What if I need to cancel?
- 48 hours or more before the booking — your deposit becomes a rebooking credit you can put towards another date.
- Less than 48 hours before — the deposit is forfeited. At that point the dates have almost certainly been turned down for someone else.
Life happens, though. If something genuinely unavoidable comes up, talk to me — I'd much rather sort it out sensibly than hide behind a policy.
Is the meet & greet really free?
Yes — free, and with no obligation. It takes about half an hour. You bring your dog, we have a cup of tea, they have a nose round the house and garden and meet Poppy, and we go through food, routine, medication and any quirks.
If it doesn't feel right for your dog, that's genuinely fine. Better to find out over a cup of tea than on the first night of your holiday.
Why do longer stays need a trial night?
For any stay longer than three nights, we do one trial overnight first, charged at half the nightly rate (£19).
It matters more than people expect. Your dog sleeps here once, wakes up somewhere unfamiliar, and then — crucially — you come back. That single experience makes a week-long stay far less daunting for them, and it lets me flag anything unexpected while you're still in the country.
Coverage
Areas covered
Two different rules here, because two of the services happen at my house and two happen at yours.
Boarding & daycare — a wide net
These happen here in Wickford. You're driving over anyway, so I'm happy to take dogs from across the area:
- Wickford
- Runwell
- Shotgate
- Battlesbridge
- Ramsden
- Rayleigh
- Basildon
- Billericay
- South Woodham Ferrers
Plus most places within a couple of miles. Further afield? Ask — it's usually fine.
Walking & drop-ins — Wickford only
These take place in your own home, so travel time is the limit. Strictly these postcodes:
- SS11
- SS12
Just over the boundary? Send a message anyway — if you're only a street or two out, I'll do what I can.
Peace of mind
Fully licensed & insured
Poppy's Dog Retreat is licensed for home boarding by Basildon Council under licence number A11011162, and carries full public liability and animal care insurance.
If you'd like to see the paperwork, just ask at the meet & greet — I'm very happy to show you. Any home boarder worth using will be, and it's always worth checking.
Something happened while I'm away?
You'll be contacted straight away. I'll always take a dog to a vet if there's any doubt — so please leave your vet's details and an emergency contact at the meet & greet, along with any medication and instructions.
Still got a question?
Ask away — there's no such thing as a daft question when it's about your dog. I'd far rather you asked now than wondered later.