Terms and Conditions

All owners will be required to sign these terms and conditions before their dog(s) can be accepted at Ashingdon Heights Boarding Kennels Ltd. In the following Terms & Conditions, Ashingdon Heights Boarding Kennels Ltd will be referred to as ‘AHBK Ltd' and the owner of dog(s) to be boarded will be referred to as ‘The Owner.'

Health of the Dog

1. The Owner warrants that the dog(s) being boarded are in a fit and healthy condition. It is your responsibly to inform us of any medical conditions that your pet(s) may have at the time of booking.
2. If your dog(s) has a medical condition of any sort, AHBK Ltd must be notified at the time of booking.
3. If AHBK Ltd have not been notified of such a condition or course of medication, we reserve the right to refuse admittance.
4. AHBK Ltd reserve the right to refuse entry to any dog(s) that is clearly unwell.

Vaccinations

1. All dogs being boarded are required to have current and up-to-date vaccinations with the certificates being produced/verified on every arrival. All vaccinations must be valid at least 14 days prior to the boarding beginning and cover the whole of the boarding term. Dogs are to be vaccinated against Distemper, Hepatitis, Leptospirosis, Parvovirus, and Kennel Cough.
2. Failure to provide a valid vaccination certificate for each dog(s) boarding will prevent the board and AHBK Ltd will refuse admittance.
3. The Kennel Cough vaccination must have been administered at least 14 days ahead of the board in the case of the Nobivac brand and at least 6 weeks ahead of the board in the case of the Canigen brand. It is the Owner's responsibility to ensure that the correct time period exists for each dog(s) boarding and AHBK Ltd reserve the right to refuse entry if these are not adhered to.
4. AHBK Ltd will never knowingly accept a dog(s) with the Kennel Cough condition, but as incubation can be up to 14 days, it may not be detectable prior to or upon arrival. Whilst all our boarders are vaccinated, Kennel Cough exists in many different strains, not all of which are covered by the vaccination and is an airborne infection and thus outside the control of AHBK Ltd. The Owner therefore accepts that there is always a risk of their dog(s) contracting this virus, especially at busy times.
5. If we have a vet-confirmed case of Kennel Cough on the premises we will make every effort to decrease the risk of infection to your dog(s). Socialisation will be halted and additional cleaning measures (on top of our daily cleaning schedule) will be introduced. But this will not guarantee prevention of your dog(s) contracting the infection as it is an airborne virus.
6. As such, AHBK Ltd will not be responsible for any vet-related costs to your dog(s) contracting Kennel Cough during their stay.

Flea & Worm Treatment

1. All dogs boarding with AHBK Ltd must be covered by a known flea and worm treatment. These products have varying lengths of effectiveness. Dogs that arrive with fleas or worms will be administered such a product and the Owner will be charged accordingly.
2. AHBK Ltd reserves the right to refuse admittance to any dog(s) showing visible signs of such parasites on arrival.

Ticks

1. If we find ticks on your dog(s), we will (where possible) remove them safely with tick removers. If we feel this cannot be achieved, we will contact your emergency contact to discuss further treatment options. If we have to take your dog(s) to a vet to have a tick removed, the Owner will be responsible for any associated costs.

Veterinary Emergencies (Illness/Injury)

1. In the unlikely event that your dog(s) becomes unwell during their stay they will be treated by your designated veterinary surgeon where possible. Exceptions to this policy are if your veterinary surgery is outside of 10 miles from AHBK Ltd premises or in the case of urgent or life threatening situations. In these circumstances AHBK Ltd will use Earls Hall Medical Hospital Southend or Medivet Southend.
2. AHBK Ltd are authorised to call your veterinary practice should we need any information regarding your dog's condition.
3. It is the responsibility of the Owner to advise their veterinary surgery that their dog(s) is due to board with us and to give permission for us to speak to the vet about any pre-existing or new medical conditions. AHBK Ltd will not be held responsible for any delays in treatment due to this authorisation not being prearranged.
4. AHBK Ltd are insured to cover the costs of new illnesses that occur during the board. AHBK Ltd will not cover any vet costs relating to pre-existing medical conditions and the Owner accepts that they will be liable for these.
5. During the period of boarding, AHBK Ltd will exercise every possible care and attention to the welfare and safety of your dog(s), however, AHBK Ltd accepts no responsibility for problems outside of our control.
6. In the highly unlikely event that your dog becomes terminally ill and passes away whilst boarding, AHBK Ltd will contact you immediately to discuss how you would like to proceed and make arrangements to transfer your pet to the vet of your choice until your return. If we are unable to contact you on the telephone number you have provided we will contact the emergency contact and it will be their responsibility to advise us on how to proceed.
7. In the case of any emergency (illness/injury), the person that the Owner has nominated as their emergency contact will be contacted by telephone first.
8. AHBK Ltd will make every effort to contact the Owner to keep them updated via telephone or email.

Medication

1. AHBK Ltd will make all reasonable efforts to administer oral, rectal, and topical medication and treatments as directed by the Owner, for which there is no charge. However, if veterinary assistance is required it will be at the Owner's expense.
2. Full written instructions (we will provide you with a form to complete) must be provided if you require AHBK Ltd to administer medication to your dog(s). It is the Owners responsibility to ensure that they provide the correct and sufficient amount of said medication for the duration of the stay.

Emergency Contact Details

1. It is the responsibility of the Owner to provide us with a minimum of one emergency contact for the duration of your pets stay. The emergency contact needs to be able to provide your pet(s) with emergency accommodation should a situation arise in which we are no longer able to keep them with us (e.g, your pet(s) doesn't settle and becomes increasingly stressed or becomes ill. Or if we suffer a situation which results in us not being able to provide boarding, fire or flood for example). Please be aware that should we have to pass your pet(s) on to your emergency contact, the full price for the duration booked will still apply and no refund will be given.

Aggressive Temperaments

1. The Owner must disclose to us if your dog(s) has any aggressive tendencies either towards humans and/or other animals. If we feel that your pet(s) poses a threat to our kennel staff we reserve the right to refuse to board your dog(s). Should your dog(s) become aggressive towards staff or other boarders during their stay, your emergency contact may be required to give your pet(s) emergency accommodation. Please be aware that should we have to transfer your dog(s) on to yourself or your emergency contact, the full price for the duration booked will still apply and no refund will be given. Customers or emergency contacts may be asked to remove difficult or dangerous pets from their housing units with immediate effect.

Exercise and Socialisation

1. All our boarders are exercised away from their kennel 3 times a day unless agreed otherwise with the Owner. This can be as part of a group socialisation for which you will need to sign to show your consent. Or on a one to one basis with a member of staff. AHBK Ltd will walk all boarders off lead only in our secure enclosed private exercise field. If your pet has a tendency to jump higher than 5ft or to escape from your premises you must inform us at the time of booking and we will only walk your dog on a lead. Any dogs that are walked 'offsite' can only do so with their Owners prior consent and will need to wear 2 leads (their own and our additional safety harness).

Excessive Weather Conditions

1. AHBK Ltd will not exercise any boarders in our care outside their kennel during times of extreme heat or cold. Heaters are provided in each kennel for the colder months at no extra cost to the Owner and cooling devices (mats, paddling pool etc) are provided in times of extreme heat.

What the Owner Needs to Provide

1. As advised above, a full and current vaccination certificate must be provided for each instance of board. AHBK Ltd may take a photocopy of this and keep this copy for our records.
2. Medication as covered above.
3. The Owner must provide all the food that the dog will require for the stay. It is the responsibility of the Owner to ensure that sufficient food is provided. If we find the amount to be insufficient, AHBK Ltd will use food from our general store which will be charged at an additional daily rate on top of the board. It is particularly important that the correct amount of food is provided for dogs with specific diets as we cannot guarantee to be able to provide extra in the event of your supply running out.
4. AHBK Ltd is happy to accept boarders on a raw diet and we have sufficient fridges and freezers to accommodate this, but it is the responsibility of the Owner to ensure that the first meal is partially defrosted on arrival to prevent any delay in feeds.
5. AHBK Ltd can provide bedding for your pet and as such it is not necessary for the Owner to bring this. However, if you would like to bring something from home for your dog's comfort this is acceptable. You are also welcome to send some toys and treats but please note that we will not leave anything that could be ingested overnight in the kennel. We will not accept rawhide treats. Please do not bring food or water bowls unless your pet requires a slow feeder.
6. Any bedding, toys, medication, or personal items supplied by the owner that become damaged/destroyed by the animals or any member of staff, during boarding, are left at the owner's risk and any veterinary treatment required following such an event will be at the owner's expense.

How to Book

1. Bookings must be made by email request, in person or over the telephone. Please note that your booking is not confirmed until you have paid a 2 day deposit (or in the case of a day stay, payment in full). We accept cash or debit and credit cards. We can no longer accept cheques or Amex payments. We do not accept balance transfers.
2. In the case of cancellation, AHBK Ltd requires a 10 day notice period ahead of the first day of your board. If you cancel ahead of this time we will either refund your deposit amount or hold this for a future new booking deposit for you. Credits and deposits cannot be held and used to settle the balance of a separate booking. Deposit amounts are non-refundable and non-transferable if you cancel with less than 10 days notice from the first day of the booking.

Collection of Your Pet

1. If you collect your pet early or adjust your booking without the required 10 days notice you will still be charged for the original booking. If you need to extend your pets stay whilst you are away you need to contact us as soon as possible. AHBK Ltd may not always be able to accommodate such late notice changes and in this instance your emergency contact will be required to collect your pet on the originally agreed departure date. If AHBK Ltd are able to extend the stay the additional payment will need to be settled before the pet leaves our premises. Most pet insurance or holiday plans will cover for such eventualities. Please check with your insurer and/or policy document and make sure you have adequate cover in the event of cancellation.

Fees

1. Boarding fee's will be charged at the full day rate to include the day of arrival & the day of departure. For the avoidance of doubt, arrival is charged as day 1 and departure as day 2. This is to facilitate complete sanitation of the animal's kennel. The balance of your booking is payable on arrival, unless part or full payment is required in advance. No pets will be released until full and final payment has been received. Short over runs can be paid at the time of collection. Long extensions to boarding must be paid for at the time of request by card. A full list of our prices is displayed in our Reception area and is available on request.
2. AHBK Ltd reserve the right to charge extra during peak periods such as Christmas & New Year.

Opening Hours

1. AHBK Ltd's opening hours are 8am to 4;30pm for pick up and drop off. You can arrive at any time during these opening hours. Additional late pick ups can be arranged but these must be done at the time of booking and may not always be available. The latest pick up slot is 6pm. Information regarding charges for these can be seen in our Reception area.
2. AHBK Ltd is not open to the public for Drop Offs or Collections on the following days: Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Years Day.
3. There is a minimum booking for Christmas from the 24th December to the 27th December. No shorter bookings will be accepted.

Collection and Drop Off Services

1. AHBK Ltd offer a collection and drop off service. These must be pre-arranged at the time of booking and will incur an additional charge depending on distance. Maximum distance for this service is 10 miles from AHBK Ltd premises. The Owner must be aware that we can only make collections between 10am – 11am and that drop offs will only occur between 4pm – 5pm. No other time slots will be available.

Social Media

1. AHBK Ltd will post pictures on their Facebook, Instagram and TikTok accounts from time to time with agreement from the Owner. This is not a paid for service and as such cannot be guaranteed. If you do not wish for your dog to be shown on these pages please advise us when you arrive. It is not always possible for us to photograph every dog in our care and no guarantee to do so is given. For security purposes we will not mention specific dogs names unless this is agreed by the Owner.

Additional Information

1. AHBK Ltd have a zero tolerance of any abuse (may this be verbal or physical) towards our staff. You will be asked to leave with immediate effect and future bookings will be cancelled/denied.
2. AHBK Ltd reserve the right to retain any animal, charge for the extra stay until such time as the outstanding account is settled, or to dispose of the animal at a suitable rescue centre, if any account becomes overdue or the animal is not collected within 7 days of the due collection date and no contact from the Owner has been received. Any costs involved will be the responsibility of the owner.
3. There is free parking for drop off and collection of your pet. Please note that your pet is your responsibility until a member of staff has taken them from you following the 'checking in' process at reception.
4. AHBK Ltd will not be held responsible for any damage incurred to vehicles whilst in the car park.
5. All pets will be taken from the customer by a member of staff. No owners will be allowed to take their pets to their accommodation for health and safety reasons.
6. Whilst in our care, no pet will be allowed visitors, unless the dog is removed from site, and returned within opening hours and with written authorisation from the Owner.
7. Dogs can only share a kennel accommodation if they reside in the same home residence permanently. This is a requirement of our Boarding Licence and there will be no exceptions for this. Owners board their dogs together at their own risk. Should AHBK Ltd feel it necessary to separate the dogs, we will do so for the pet's best interest, and an additional fee will be applied. No pets will be released until full and final payment has been received.
8. Boarders are not bathed as a matter of course at the end of each stay unless AHBK Ltd deem it necessary. Baths can be booked and paid for with our Grooming Salon, Heights Hounds Spa. This should be done at the time of making the booking. A full list of associated costs can we found in our Reception.
9. AHBK Ltd reserve the right to add, change or vary these Terms & Conditions at any time. However, you will be notified.

I agree that my dog can be socialised with other boarders during their stay and I agree that AHBK Ltd will bear no responsibility, monetarily or otherwise for any costs that occur as a result of this.

I agree that my dog can be walked offsite by a qualified member of staff using my dog's own lead and AHBK Ltd safety harness. I agree that AHBK Ltd will bear no responsibility, monetarily or otherwise for any costs that occur as a result of this.

I agree that my dog's photograph can be featured on the various AHBK Ltd social media pages (Facebook, Instagram and Tiktok).

I agree that AHBK Ltd are authorised to contact my veterinarian to speak to them about any new or pre-existing medical conditions that my dog may develop or already have.

By signing these terms and conditions, the Owner agrees to abide by the rules and policies set forth by Ashingdon Heights Boarding Kennels Ltd. The Owner accepts full responsibility for any and all costs associated with their dog(s) during their stay.