Home Dog Boarding – Wigan, Greater Manchester
This policy outlines how Pet Getaway prevents, identifies, and manages infectious disease risks within a home dog boarding environment.
Our objectives are to:
Prevent disease transmission
Protect boarded dogs
Protect resident animals
Protect public health
Comply with licensing regulations
Maintain higher welfare standards
Prevention is prioritised over reaction.
All dogs must provide proof of up-to-date vaccinations prior to boarding, including:
Core vaccinations (Distemper, Hepatitis, Parvovirus)
Leptospirosis
Kennel Cough (strongly recommended)
Vaccination records must be:
Provided before first stay
Within valid date range
Verified prior to acceptance
Dogs without valid vaccination evidence will not be accepted.
Owners must confirm their dog:
Is not showing signs of illness
Has not had vomiting or diarrhoea within the last 48 hours
Has not been in contact with known contagious disease
Is up to date with flea and worm treatment
Dogs displaying signs of illness on arrival may be refused entry.
All dogs are monitored for:
Coughing
Sneezing
Nasal discharge
Vomiting
Diarrhoea
Lethargy
Loss of appetite
Skin irritation
Any abnormal signs are recorded and investigated.
(Refer to Animal Health Monitoring Policy for detailed monitoring procedures.)
If a dog shows signs of possible infectious illness:
Immediate separation from other dogs
Designated isolation area used
Separate bedding provided
Gloves worn during handling
Separate cleaning equipment used
Owner contacted immediately
Veterinary advice sought if required
Isolation area is cleaned last to prevent cross-contamination.
Enhanced cleaning measures include:
Pet-safe disinfectants
Increased frequency of floor cleaning
Sanitising bowls after each use
Washing bedding at 60°C minimum
Disinfecting high-touch surfaces
Cleaning logs are maintained daily.
During suspected illness:
Shared toys removed
Group enrichment reduced
Feeding fully separated
Garden rotation may be implemented
Items used by isolated dogs are not shared.
If more than one dog shows symptoms:
New bookings suspended
Owners informed
Enhanced cleaning implemented
Veterinary guidance followed
Licensing authority notified if required
Boarding operations may be temporarily paused if necessary to protect welfare.
Dog waste removed minimum twice daily
Waste double-bagged
External bins secured
Soiled bedding washed separately
Litter trays (if resident cats present) kept inaccessible to dogs.
Handlers:
Wash hands before and after handling each dog
Wear gloves when handling waste or illness
Avoid cross-contamination between areas
Change clothing if contaminated
Personal hygiene is part of infection prevention.
A dog may only return to boarding if:
Symptom-free for minimum 48 hours
Veterinary clearance provided if required
No ongoing contagious risk identified
We reserve the right to request veterinary confirmation.
Owners are responsible for notifying Pet Getaway if:
Their dog develops illness shortly after boarding
They become aware of exposure to contagious disease
Transparency protects all dogs.
Pet Getaway maintains:
Vaccination records
Illness logs
Isolation records
Cleaning logs
Incident reports
Records are retained in line with licensing requirements.
This policy ensures:
Early detection of illness
Controlled management
Reduced transmission risk
Structured outbreak response
Compliance with regulatory expectations
Disease control is actively managed — not assumed.