Pet Care & Welfare Policy

Last updated: 22/9/26

This Pet Care & Welfare Policy explains how Home from Home Boarding Maghull aims to care for pets safely, calmly and responsibly during dog walking, home boarding, home visits, feeding visits, medication visits and assessment sessions.

Our aim is to provide caring, reliable and personal pet care where every animal is treated with kindness, patience and respect.

  1. Who We Are

Home from Home Boarding Maghull provides dog walking, home boarding and home pet visit services in Maghull, Liverpool and surrounding areas.

Business name: Home from Home Boarding Maghull

  1. Our Welfare Commitment

The welfare of the pets in our care is our priority.

We aim to provide a calm, safe and caring environment where pets feel comfortable, secure and properly looked after.

We will always try to follow each pet’s normal routine as closely as possible, including feeding, walking, rest, medication, comfort breaks and owner instructions.

  1. Personal and Suitable Care

Every pet is different, so we do not use a one-size-fits-all approach.

Before accepting a booking, we may ask about your pet’s age, breed, routine, behaviour, medical needs, walking habits, likes, dislikes and any known concerns.

This helps us decide whether the requested service is suitable and how best to care for your pet.

  1. Meet and Greets

A meet and greet may be required before dog walking, home boarding or home visit services.

This gives us the chance to meet you and your pet, understand your pet’s personality and routine, and make sure everyone feels comfortable before care begins.

For home boarding and some dog walking bookings, an assessment or trial session may also be required.

  1. Assessment and Suitability

We reserve the right to refuse or cancel a service if we feel it is not suitable for your pet, our home, other pets, members of the public or our own safety.

This may include situations involving aggression, serious anxiety, destructive behaviour, escape attempts, severe reactivity, illness, injury or undisclosed behaviour concerns.

Our decision will always be based on safety, welfare and suitability.

  1. Dog Walking Welfare

Dog walks will be planned around the dog’s age, fitness, temperament, behaviour and needs.

Walks may be solo or with carefully matched dogs, depending on what is suitable and agreed.

We usually care for dogs on a one-to-one basis, giving them calm, personal attention. If your dog enjoys the company of other friendly dogs, we can arrange small, carefully matched walks. If they prefer their own space, that is absolutely fine too.

Our aim is to give your dog the kind of walk and experience that suits them best, whether that is a peaceful solo walk or a gentle outing with a doggy friend.

  1. Leads, Harnesses and Safety

Dogs must have suitable collars, harnesses, leads or walking equipment.

We may refuse to walk a dog if the equipment provided is unsafe, damaged, unsuitable or does not give enough control.

Dogs will only be walked off lead if this has been agreed in writing and we are confident it is safe and suitable to do so.

  1. Transport

Where transport is needed, dogs will travel safely and securely in our car.

Using a car rather than a van helps provide a calm, familiar and everyday environment, similar to travelling with their owner.

Dogs will be secured appropriately during travel, and we will aim to keep journeys calm and comfortable.

  1. Weather and Temperature

Pet welfare comes first in all weather conditions.

In hot weather, icy weather, storms, heavy rain or unsafe conditions, we may change, shorten, delay or cancel walks.

Where needed, a walk may be replaced with a comfort break, shaded walk, garden break or home visit.

We will never intentionally put a pet at risk in unsafe weather.

  1. Home Boarding Welfare

Home boarding is designed to feel like a home-from-home experience.

Dogs staying with us will be cared for in a calm home setting and given attention, companionship, rest, comfort breaks and walks suitable to their needs.

Owners must provide full information about the dog’s routine, sleeping habits, feeding, toilet habits, health, behaviour and any worries or triggers.

Dogs should bring any required food, medication, bedding, leads, harnesses, toys or comfort items agreed in advance.

  1. Home Visit Welfare

Home visits may include feeding, fresh water, comfort breaks, companionship, short walks, cat feeding, small pet checks or other agreed care.

During visits, we will check that the pet appears comfortable, has access to fresh water and is safe within the agreed area.

If we notice anything concerning, we will contact the owner or emergency contact.

  1. Feeding and Water

Owners must provide clear feeding instructions, including food type, quantity, timings and any restrictions.

Fresh water will be provided or checked during care where appropriate.

Any changes to appetite, vomiting, diarrhoea or unusual behaviour may be reported to the owner.

  1. Medication Support

Medication support is available only by prior agreement.

Owners must provide clear written instructions, including medication name, dosage, timing, method of administration and any veterinary guidance.

Medication should be supplied in its original packaging where possible.

We reserve the right to refuse medication support if instructions are unclear or if we are not comfortable administering it.

  1. Health, Vaccinations and Parasite Control

Pets must be in good general health before using our services.

Dogs should be up to date with vaccinations, flea treatment and worming treatment, unless otherwise agreed.

Owners must tell us about any illness, injury, infection, parasites or health concerns before the service begins.

We may refuse or stop care if a pet appears unwell, injured, contagious or at risk.

  1. Behaviour and Disclosure

Owners must give honest and accurate information about their pet’s behaviour.

This includes any history of aggression, biting, guarding, fear, anxiety, escape attempts, reactivity, destructive behaviour or issues with people, children, dogs, cats or other animals.

Failure to disclose important behaviour information may result in the booking being cancelled.

  1. Emergency Contacts and Vet Details

Owners must provide up-to-date emergency contact details and normal vet details before care begins.

If we believe a pet needs urgent veterinary help and we cannot contact the owner quickly, we may seek veterinary advice or treatment in the pet’s best interests.

The owner remains responsible for any veterinary fees, treatment costs, transport costs or related expenses.

  1. Cleanliness and Hygiene

We aim to maintain clean and safe environments for pets in our care.

Food bowls, water bowls, bedding, toys and care areas will be managed as hygienically as reasonably possible.

Owners should provide clean bedding, equipment and food containers where needed.

  1. Rest and Comfort

Dogs and pets need suitable rest as well as exercise.

We will aim to provide calm rest time, quiet areas and comfort based on the pet’s routine and needs.

Older dogs, puppies, nervous dogs and dogs with medical needs may require shorter walks, more rest or adjusted care.

  1. Updates for Owners

Where appropriate, we may send updates by WhatsApp, text or another agreed method.

This may include photos, messages or general updates about how your pet is doing.

Public use of photos or videos will only happen if permission has been given.

  1. Owner Responsibilities

Owners are responsible for providing accurate information, suitable equipment, food, medication, emergency contacts, vet details and anything else required for safe care.

Owners must tell us immediately if their pet’s health, behaviour, routine or care needs change.

  1. Refusal or Ending of Care

We reserve the right to refuse, pause or end a service if we believe continuing would be unsafe, unsuitable or harmful to the welfare of the pet, other animals, people or ourselves.

This decision may be made before or during a booking if new information or concerns arise.

  1. Our Approach

We believe good pet care should be calm, kind, reliable and personal.

Our aim is to make every pet feel safe, settled and cared for, while giving owners confidence and peace of mind.

  1. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Pet Care & Welfare Policy from time to time.

The latest version will always be available on our website.