Without doubt the service you provide personally to us in ensuring the safe care, homing and attention of Jasper during our holiday can only be described as excellent.
Additionally the transportation both to and from Jasper’s host is an excellent service in your suitable and safe transport which removes the hassle for us both prior to and returning from our holiday.This is of extreme importance to us in ensuring Jasper’s care is paramount and your hosts are suitable and adapted to undertake the care he requires.
Clearly everything we could have wished for has been undertaken to exceptionally very high standards by both you and Jasper’s host Paul and Lorraine and we can only offer our sincere thanks for the service both Jasper and we received..
Paul Dale, Boston, Lincs April 2012
Our Story
I was planning a family trip in 1999 and felt so dreadful about leaving my Dalmatian puppy Bronte behind, that I almost cancelled. I tried to find a suitable alternative to kennels or house sitting but there simply wasn’t one.
The best businesses are often borne out of a market need and Barking Mad is no exception. My research showed that there was a demand for an alternative to traditional pet care, and so with a background in sales and marketing I set about creating a whole new concept. Barking Mad was launched in Kirkby Lonsdale, Cumbria in May 2000, as a professional and personal service for dog lovers.
Initially I ran the business alongside my consultancy work, however Barking Mad quickly took over. The website I had designed a few months earlier was creating interest from customers, host families and partners across the UK, so we decided to expand nationally through the franchise route.
It took 18 months to get our business ready for the franchise market, but with the help of a well respected consultant and lawyer, both affiliates of the BFA, Barking Mad took centre stage at the franchise exhibition in October 2002. Today we have sold 65% of the UK and also operate overseas in Cyprus. We have a business partner in the USA who operates our system, and we have plans for further expansion both within the UK and overseas.
Barking Mad is a robust business which has continued to grow, even during recession. We’ve received some amazing PR including an interview on Chris Evans Drive Time Show, BBC TWO Working Lunch, The Daily Mail, The Express, The Guardian and several glossies. I put our success down to the strength of our brand, the simplicity of the business model and our determination to become a household name.
On a personal note, I am continually rewarded by seeing how many lives have changed positively as a result of Barking Mad, including those of our customers and their dogs, host families, franchisees and the support team at HQ. I met my husband through the business, so it really has been a life changing experience for me too!
Thank you for taking the time to visit our website.
Lee Dancy
Managing Director