Responsible Dog Ownership - C Four Paws (Calagran)

This month’s editorial topic was requested by a member of the public who owns dogs and who was dismayed at how frequently he saw other owners not necessarily being as responsible as they should be. We all know being a pet owner is both a pleasure and an honour and I just wanted this month to write something about the responsibilities that come with that we should all remember.

Control of your dog – I wrote an article in December’s issue on the new laws that affect dog ownership and I won’t repeat those facts again. However, controlling your dog whenever it comes into contact with other people or dogs is key from a health and care prospective of our dogs but also the fines and consequences now of not doing so can be significant.

Microchipping – Since 1993 it has been the law that any dog in a public place should have a collar and identity tag on. This will be extended next year to them legally being required to be microchipped. However, we would always advocate microchipping as it is such a cheap and sometimes even free process. Collars come off and tags get lost and frequently the microchip is all that stands between a happy return home and the pound.

Vaccinations – Ensuring your dog has at least an annual visit to the vets and standard vaccinations is really important to maintaining its health. It’s not that expensive but really can be the difference to your pets between life and death. Also important as we enter the summer season especially is to remember worming and flea control. Parasites are never nice but some can also be killers.

Fouling – This is the one that gives dog owners the worst reputation. Dog faeces are not pleasant to leave around but in parks especially they can also be a serious health risk to children and pregnant women. The fine for fouling is up to a £1,000 and is increasingly being enforced. However, as responsible owners we don’t need a fine to know that scooping when their pooping is the right thing to do. Also when we’ve scooped the additional blight these days is people leaving the plastics bags with the faeces as leaving the poop. So please scoop the poop and bin it or take it home!

Dog in cars – Lastly as we enter summer in particular which is always worth repeating is the dogs in cars message. In less than ten minutes in a car even with windows left a jar a dog can die an awful death. Put simply just do not leave dogs in a car!

Finally this month then to let you know that Calagran Four Paws Hotel now has a full grooming spa with a world class in-house groomer. If you want your dog grooming they don’t have to be guest to take advantage of the new hotel grooming spa facilities. Call us to book you furry friend in for just a bath or a full groom experience.

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Terms and Conditions

All animals must be fully vaccinated and a current veterinary certificate must be produced at the time of boarding and may be retained on site during the boarding period. Effective treatment against worms and fleas must also have been given prior to the commencement of boarding.

Vaccinations for Dogs – Dogs must be fully vaccinated within the last 12 months against:
a. Distemper
b. Hepatitis
c. Leptospirosis
d. Parvovirus
e. Para-influenza and must have had a booster injection within the previous year.
f. Kennel cough – optional - kennel cough vaccines must be given a minimum of 14 days prior to your pets stay as this is a live vaccine.

If a dog has been given its primary vaccination course, or if they have had to restart their vaccines due to a gap in the vaccine history, the vaccine course must have been completed a minimum of 14 days prior to the check-in date. This does not apply to booster vaccinations. For ANY kennel cough vaccine - either initial, restart or booster, this must have been given a minimum of 14 days before your dogs stay, as this is a live vaccine.
If the relevant amount of time has not elapsed or if your dogs vaccinations have expired at the time of boarding, or proof of vaccinations are not produced the dog(s) cannot board at our facility and 100% of the paid fees will be forfeited. It is the owners responsibility to ensure their dogs vaccines are in date and given within the correct timeframes of their dogs stay, and that this can be evidenced.

Veterinary treatment will be arranged with a local veterinary surgeon if deemed necessary for any condition occurring during the stay. However, any recurrence of a known condition will NOT be covered by our own insurance and all owners will be expected to settle their own accounts in full.

Only dogs from the same household may share boarding accommodation.

Charges are per day including arrival and departure days. If a pet is collected before 10am on the departure day there will be no charge for this day. If an owner is late in collecting their pet and arrives after 10am this charge will be added to your dogs stay.

Cancellation fees will be at the proprietor’s discretion. Deposits are not refundable.

Whilst all reasonable care and attention is given to every animal boarded, the animal is boarded entirely at the owner’s risk.

By signing the contract and leaving the animal at these kennels, the owner certifies to the accuracy of all information given about that animal(s) stated on this contract and consents to the conditions set out.

In the event of an animal not being collected or boarding fees not being paid, the proprietor may dispose of the animal concerned after giving 14 days’ notice to the owner, or their representative at their last known address

Everything your dog requires for his/her stay is provided. However, bringing your pet’s favourite toys and blanket may help it settle in, particularly if it is their first stay with us. We do not accept any responsibility for their condition or safe return

We do not give credit for early returns; you must pay for the period booked.

We require a 50% non refundable deposit for all stays between the beginning of June and the end of September, along with the Christmas period. All other stays will require a 25% deposit. During our peak times we operate a 4 day minimum booking policy. For any bookings made under 4 days a premium will be charged.

For bookings which are made 7 days or less before the check in date, payment must be made in full at the point of booking to secure your dogs stay. If payment is not received the booking will be cancelled.

We are open for collection and drop offs between 10am and 12pm on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve. We are closed ALL DAY on Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day and therefore animals cannot arrive or depart on these days.

We reserve the right to cancel a booking or refuse boarding if we feel there is a risk to our staff or other customers. Our staff will not tolerate abuse, and reserve the right to refuse service to customers.

If your dog has a pre-existing medical condition we reserve the right to request a statement of fitness letter from your vet.

By proceeding with your booking you are confirming you accept the above terms and conditions.