Effective Date: 25 February 2026
By confirming a booking and paying a deposit, you confirm that you have read, understood, and agreed to these terms and conditions.
1. Registration and Client Responsibilities
1.1 Clients must complete a boarding registration form with accurate, up-to-date information.
1.2 Clients must provide details of medical conditions, behavioural traits, dietary requirements, or special needs.
1.3 Dogs must wear a secure collar with ID tag.
1.4 Clients must provide suitable leads, harnesses, and muzzles if required.
1.5 Clients must disclose aggression, anxiety, destructive behaviour, or escape tendencies.
1.6 Lydiard Paws does not accept entire (unneutered) male dogs over 18 months of age. Unspayed female dogs may be accepted, but if a female comes into season while boarding, the client or their emergency contact must collect the dog immediately, or arrange for an authorised person to do so.
1.7 Failure to provide accurate information may result in immediate termination of the booking without refund.
2. Responsibilities of Lydiard Paws
2.1 Lydiard Paws will provide safe, professional, and compassionate care.
2.2 Lydiard Paws will comply with all relevant licensing and regulations.
2.3 Lydiard Paws will take all reasonable precautions to safeguard dogs.
2.4 Lydiard Paws will inform clients promptly of incidents affecting dog health or wellbeing.
2.5 Dogs are animals; minor injuries or illness may occur despite reasonable precautions.
3. Socialisation and Supervision
3.1 Dogs will interact with other dogs inside and outside the home.
3.2 Supervised socialisation occurs daily.
3.3 Dogs may share supervised and, where appropriate, unsupervised time overnight.
3.4 There may be short periods of supervised absence at Lydiard Paws’ discretion, such as buying groceries, attending medical appointments, picking up our son from school, or taking dogs for individual walks. Cameras monitor all rooms, and dogs are never left unattended for extended periods.
4. Off-Lead Exercise and Secure Fields
4.1 Dogs are exercised on lead unless an Off-Lead Consent Form is signed.
4.2 Clients accept responsibility for accidents or injuries while off-lead.
4.3 Lydiard Paws may withdraw off-lead privileges at any time for safety.
4.4 From time to time, dogs may be taken to local secure dog fields and, at Lydiard Paws’ discretion, allowed off-lead due to the secure nature of the field. Dogs are transported in a vehicle and secured with harnesses or crates. Clients must notify Lydiard Paws if they do not want their dog to attend these sessions. While fields are advertised as secure, Lydiard Paws cannot be held responsible for any dog escaping a secure field.
5. Payments and Night Rate
5.1 Standard rate is £30 per night per dog.
5.2 There is a surcharge of £5 per night for puppies under 12 months or large/high-maintenance dogs.
5.3 Large dogs are those whose size, strength, or activity level requires extra space, supervision, or handling (for example, Labradors, Golden Retrievers, Labradoodles, German Shepherds, Boxers, Standard Poodles), as determined at Lydiard Paws’ discretion.
6. Deposits and Payment Terms
6.1 A 20 percent deposit is required for stays longer than 3 nights.
6.2 Full payment is required for stays of 3 nights or fewer.
6.3 The remaining balance is due 48 hours before the boarding start date.
6.4 Deposits and advance payments are non-refundable.
6.5 Transfers may be considered at Lydiard Paws’ discretion, subject to availability.
6.6 Clients are responsible for extra costs, including food, medication, veterinary care, and emergency supplies.
7. Night Rate and Drop-Off / Pick-Up Times
7.1 Each night’s stay runs for 24 hours from drop-off.
7.2 Standard drop-off and pick-up times are 8.00am–10.00am and 4.30pm–6.30pm.
7.3 Late pick-up up to 8.00pm is available for £5 if agreed in advance.
7.4 Missed slots without agreement must wait for the next available slot.
7.5 If a stay exceeds 24 hours, day care will be charged at £23 until the next pick-up slot.
8. Trial Night Requirement
8.1 For initial stays of 3 nights or more, a trial night must be completed to ensure the comfort and suitability of the dog.
8.2 The trial night can be a shorter stay from 6.00pm–9.30am at £15 or a full 24-hour stay at £30.
8.3 This applies only to new registrations. Once a dog has stayed with Lydiard Paws and is deemed suitable for home boarding, no further trial stays are required.
8.4 This is a licensing requirement and there are no exceptions.
8.5 Lydiard Paws reserves the right to refuse boarding if a dog is unsuitable.
9. Cancellation Policy
9.1 Deposits and advance payments are non-refundable.
9.2 Cancellation more than 28 days before the start date: deposit may be transferred once, subject to availability.
9.3 Cancellation within 28 days: loss of deposit.
9.4 Cancellation within 48 hours (full payment made): up to 100 percent of total booking fee may be retained.
9.5 If Lydiard Paws needs to cancel a booking, a full refund or alternative arrangements will be offered.
10. Veterinary Care and Emergencies
10.1 Lydiard Paws will contact the client and emergency contact if a medical emergency occurs.
10.2 If immediate treatment is required and the client cannot be reached, the client authorises veterinary care at the registered practice or nearest available.
10.3 The client agrees to reimburse all veterinary fees and associated costs, including transport, sedation, or emergency treatment if required.
10.4 In the extremely rare event of serious illness or death of a dog, Lydiard Paws will transport the dog to the veterinary practice listed on the registration form, or if unavailable, the nearest suitable veterinary practice. The client and emergency contact will be notified immediately, and all reasonable steps will be taken to follow their instructions.
11. Loss, Injury and Liability
11.1 Clients indemnify Lydiard Paws against claims, costs, damages, or liabilities caused by their dog.
11.2 Lydiard Paws is not liable for events beyond reasonable control.
11.3 Costs from a dog escaping (transport, veterinary, advertising, rewards) are the client’s responsibility.
11.4 Lydiard Paws is not responsible for damage to items provided by clients during the dog’s stay, including leads, harnesses, beds, toys, or other equipment.
12. Vaccination Requirements
12.1 Dogs must be fully vaccinated for core vaccines (Distemper, Parvovirus, Hepatitis, etc.) with proof from a registered veterinarian.
12.2 Kennel Cough (Bordetella) vaccination is recommended but not mandatory.
12.3 Dogs without core vaccination documentation will not be accepted.
13. Introductory Meeting
13.1 Required prior to first booking and free of charge.
13.2 Lydiard Paws may decline bookings if a dog is unsuitable.
14. Right to Refuse or Terminate Boarding
14.1 Lydiard Paws reserves the right to refuse or terminate boarding without refund if a dog displays aggressive or dangerous behaviour, poses a risk to people, other animals, or property, causes extreme barking or noise, or if information provided is inaccurate or misleading.
14.2 In such cases, the client’s emergency contact must collect the dog immediately, or the client must arrange for an authorised person to do so. Failure to comply will result in the dog being admitted to kennels for the remainder of the stay at the client’s cost.
15. Insurance and Dog-on-Dog Incidents
15.1 Lydiard Paws maintains public and professional liability insurance covering accidental injury to third parties or damage to property caused by Lydiard Paws.
15.2 This insurance does not cover injury, illness, or loss affecting the dogs in our care. Clients remain fully responsible for their dog’s health, wellbeing, and veterinary expenses.
15.3 Clients are responsible for any injury, illness, or damage caused by their dog to other dogs, people, or property while in our care, including during transport.
15.4 Lydiard Paws will take all reasonable precautions to prevent incidents and will transport any injured dog to a veterinary practice if required and contact the relevant owner(s) immediately.
15.5 Clients are advised to have their own pet insurance for veterinary costs.
16. Updates, Media and Communications
16.1 Clients provide consent for photos and videos of their dog via the registration form. If consent is given, Lydiard Paws may share photos or videos on social media or other platforms.
16.2 Clients may withdraw consent at any time with prior notice.
16.3 Updates on the dog’s wellbeing may be provided via WhatsApp, Messenger, text, or email, but daily updates are not guaranteed.
16.4 In the event of a medical or safety emergency, Lydiard Paws will notify the client and their emergency contact immediately.
16.5 Images or videos may be used for promotional purposes, but clients will not be personally identified without consent.
17. Behaviour Reassessment
17.1 Lydiard Paws may periodically reassess a dog’s suitability for home boarding if behavioural concerns arise during future stays.
17.2 Boarding may be refused or terminated if a dog is deemed unsuitable.
18. Food, Medication and Special Needs
18.1 All food, supplements, and medication must be provided by the client with clear instructions.
18.2 Lydiard Paws will follow instructions carefully but is not responsible for complications arising from inaccurate or incomplete instructions.
19. Lost or Stolen Dogs
19.1 In the unlikely event of a dog being lost or stolen, Lydiard Paws will notify the owner and take all reasonable steps to locate the dog.
19.2 Any costs incurred, including veterinary fees, transport, advertising, or reward fees, are the client’s responsibility.
20. Complaint Procedure
20.1 Any concerns or complaints should be raised with Lydiard Paws via email or phone.
20.2 We aim to respond promptly and resolve issues quickly and fairly.
21. Data Protection / Privacy
21.1 Client and dog information is handled in accordance with GDPR.
21.2 Information is used solely for the purpose of providing boarding services and will not be shared without consent.
22. Extreme Weather or Force Majeure
22.1 Lydiard Paws may need to alter schedules, refuse boarding, or relocate dogs in cases of extreme weather, fire, flood, or other emergencies.
22.2 Clients will be notified as soon as possible.
23. Governing Law
23.1 Lydiard Paws reserves the right to amend these terms and conditions at any time.
23.2 These terms are governed by English law, and any disputes are subject to the courts of England and Wales.