"Ruff" guide
What is home-from-home pet care?
Home-from-home pet care is an alternative to boarding kennels or conventional pet-sitting. Instead of sending your dog to a kennel or having a stranger come to your home and dog sitting, we arrange ‘dog holidays’ where your dog goes to stay with a local loving host family.
Who are Barking Mad hosts?
Many of our hosts are active retired people who miss the exercise and companionship but do not wish to commit full-time to the emotional and financial responsibility of dog ownership. Others are dog owners who are looking for company for their own family pet. All of them, without exception, are genuine dog lovers who have met our strict criteria. Discover more about host families.
Do I see which host family you have selected for my dog?
Yes. When we match your pet with the most appropriate host family, you will see who they are, where they live and what kind of pet care experience they have.
Can I deliver my dog?
Our experience has taught us that dogs settle much more quickly if we collect them from you and take them to their host family. Perhaps they like to assume that you are still at home while they go on their dog holidays!
Do I provide the food?
When we collect your dogs, as arranged in advance, they take with them their own food, bed, toys, treats and other favourite things to help them feel at home.