Boarding Kennels in Doncaster

...where our aim is to give your pet a real home from home holiday. You're going away to enjoy yourselves so why shouldn't your dog or cat have some fun too?

Here at Gibdyke Lodge we have space and facilities second to none...

* two huge securely fenced play areas totalling over an acre where even the biggest dog can really let off steam

* kennels with under-floor heating and their own open air run attached

* heated cat chalets with enclosed sleeping area, furniture to play on, scratching posts and an open area for your cat to strut his stuff or just bask and watch the world go by

* a brand new grooming parlour providing everything from a pedicure to the full monty

* pet collection and delivery service covering anywhere within 50 miles of Thorne

And, of course, a bit of TLC from Anna and Andrew who love animals.

We believe that our spacious airy kennels are the best available in the area - come and see for yourself or visit our website gibdykelodge.co.uk.

At the Gibdyke Lodge Boarding Cattery we try to provide a friendly and loving atmosphere for the cats, with as many home comforts as possible. Each time we go into the cattery, we take time to talk to the cats, give them a few small treats and (where they are amenable) fuss, cuddle stroke and brush them. We provide everything your cat will need during its stay, but you are welcome to bring their favourite bedding and toys that may help them settle in.

We keep a stock of most major brands of cat foods available in supermarkets along with pilchards, tuna, and salmon to allow us to feed your cat on familiar food. Veterinary prescribed or other special diets can be catered for, but we request that you bring these with you. All cats are fed at breakfast and tea time, though this can be increased if required for kittens, dietary problems, etc. Fresh water is always available and is changed with each meal.

Should your cat be on veterinary prescribed medication we will administer this as required.

It goes without saying that each chalet is cleaned and disinfected daily and litter trays are checked throughout the day and cleaned when required.

Our current boarding cattery is built in the chalet design. The sleeping box is raised off the floor and contains a bed and electric heater, providing a warm and comfortable sleeping compartment. Inside the chalet we place various toys, along with a small chair or table, with blanket, for cats to sunbathe on and watch the world around them.

We have demolished half of the cattery to make way for our new feline facility. This provides much more luxurious and spacious chalets, designed and built to Feline Advisory Bureau (FAB) standards. Each chalet has a sleeping and exercise area of the size specified for two cats sharing and the whole cattery is roofed to keep both the sleeping and exercise areas dry in inclement weather.

While we are able to exercise dogs in our open paddocks, it is impossible to do this with the cats in our care. To ensure that there is a high level of interesting stimulation for the cats during their stay a 'bubble machine', childrens windmills, bird feeders and plants to attract butterflies will be placed in the courtyard at the front of the chalets.

A panel heater in the sleeping area will keep it warm and cosy, with a 'sleeping hammock' that many cats love - there will also be several basking shelves in the sleeping area so the cats can 'follow the sun' through the day.

The exercise area will contain various toys, scratching posts, basking tables and shelves. Large windows between the individual exercise areas will allow the cats to see along the cattery. Mesh gates at the front will provide ventilation and allow the cats to see into the courtyard area.

Bath and/or shower

Nail clipping

Ear cleaning

Full shampoo and groom

Grooming services are available for all types of dogs. We take the utmost care with your pet during their professional dog grooming session. Anna is a qualified dog groomer and the dog grooming parlour is finished to a high specification and includes safe equipment including a high-tech drying machine.

So if you are looking for the best dog grooming parlour in Doncaster, come to Hair of the Dog based at Gibyke Lodge Superior Boarding Kennels in Thorne, near Doncaster.

Routine vaccinations help protect your best friends from a number of serious diseases.

For dogs these are...

Distemper - causes severe respiratory infections and convulsions

Hepatitis - leads to jaundice and damage to the liver and kidneys

Parvovirus - a cause of very severe gastroenteritis

Leptospirosis - leads to jaundice and internal bleeding

Why do we insist on vaccinations?

These diseases are life threatening and frequently cause the animal's death. All are highly infectious and are easily passed from pet to pet. Leptospirosis can also be passed from dogs to humans. We insist that all dogs and cats staying with us are fully vaccinated with up to date boosters against these diseases. The one vaccination we do not insist upon is the Kennel Cough Vaccine (see below).

What is a Booster Vaccination?

Puppies and kittens have some immunity against diseases passed to them from their mother, but this declines as they are weaned. Your vet will give a first vaccination when your pet is around 8 weeks of age, followed by another some 2-4 weeks later. This gives immunity against all of these diseases for one year or more. But, for continued immunity against some of the diseases an annual top up or 'booster' is required. .

For cats these are...

Feline infectious enteritis - a cause of very severe gastroenteritis

Feline leukaemia virus - damages the immune system with long term effects such as cancers or leukaemia

Feline herpes virus and feline calici virus - both causes of 'cat flu'

Chlamydophila - leads to conjunctivitis

Why don't we insist that dogs are vaccinated against kennel cough?

Kennel cough, more correctly called infectious bronchitis, has several viral and bacterial causes. Only two of these - bordatella bronchiseptica and parainfluenza - are controlled by the kennel cough vaccines.

The vaccine is given by squirting liquid up the dogs nose, which most find very distressing - we know of cases where dogs have been sedated before the vaccine can be given. Although infectious bronchitis is highly infectious it is a troublesome but not usually life threatening disease, hence we leave the decision on its use to the owners' discretion.

We do strongly recommend that the kennel cough vaccine is given to puppies, elderly dogs and those dogs with medical problems such as diabetes who are more susceptible to medical complications.

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