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We have the most fabulous alternative to boarding kennels: we find local dog loving families and we match them with dog owners who want to go on holiday.
The dogs get to stay in a normal home, the hosts get to have dogs when their schedule allows and the owners skip the guilt trip of kennels. Everybody wins and it has been a run away success!
Have a little look around these pages and see what people are saying. Then call us, let us find the perfect host for your pooch!
Here are just a few of our happy clients. Why not challenge us to find one near you to who you can talk to!
Steve & Denise, Woodley
EXCELLENT ! 10 out of 10
We took our time in sourcing the right people to take care of Rojoe and we struck lucky with Animal Ark.
Madde from Windsor
This was just the perfect setting for our Spinone Bubba. I could not have been happier!
Julie from Ruscombe
Buddy has the best time ever with his host. Couldn't recommend Animal Ark more highly.
Tom from Woodcote
Tilly loves staying at Animal Ark, their updates and communication is excellent. We would happily recommend their services.
Catherine from Charvil
It is such a relief to find an organisation like Animal Ark. It takes the stress out of going on holiday knowing that Polly is happy too.
Dogs need their pack. They don't care how pretty the kennel girls are at the local boarding kennels (although the husbands have been known to be swayed by this). What use is pretty if you cannot lie on her feet whilst she's watching TV in the evening? If you were going to design a dog prison what would it look like? A boarding kennel of course. Come on, these guys are family, we can do better than that!
We match dog owners with families who want to board dogs. Sometimes families whose kids' are desperate to have a dog. Sometimes families who are retired and love to have dogs in for short periods as a treat. Always people who are dotty over dogs and will not shut up talking about them if you give them half a chance.
Got your hotel sorted but need one for the dog? Give us a call and let's get you booked in Contact Us
Here are just a few of our happy clients. Why not challenge us to find one near you who you can talk to!
Dionne from Lower Earley
Bruno had the best time, completely spoilt! I doubt he would ever speak to me again if I thought about using a kennel instead.
Christa from Arborfield
Pepper is usually very shy towards new people but he took to Jane straight away. When we picked him up he didn't want to come home! I would definitely recommend Animal Ark to anyone.
Hazel from Earley
It's such a relief to have somewhere safe and happy for Brooke to go.
Sussan from Charvil
For his first visit, Jane was keen to ensure that Oscar was 'introduced' to the other dogs slowly so that he didn't feel distressed in any way. A really lovely touch.
Liz from Lower Earley
Heidi hardly left her bed for two days after coming back. She was exhausted from playing with her doggie friends. What a great holiday for us and Heidi!
Wondering what sort of people your dog will stay with? Here's a little sample to give you an idea. At the time of writing these words, we have 20 host families, but we are adding more all the time. Each one is different, some love big lively dogs they can take with them when they go running, others specialise in old quiet dogs who just want a nice lap to snooze on. The key is we take a lot of care to find the right match for every dog and host.
Caroline is a small dog specialist. She has had small dogs all her life (including having been a breeder and shower). She just can’t wait to meet the next one we send her.
Boarding has been a life enhancing experience for us. We get matched with exactly the sort of dogs we are crazy for and get to fit them in around our own family and holiday commitments. Marvellous.
Both Val and David have had many dogs around them before they retired including Border Collies, Labradors and mixture breeds. A very outdoors family - they enjoy walking, tennis, skiing, plus cooking and choral singing and volunteering for the Air Ambulance and other charities.
It has been an absolute joy to be a host for Animal Ark. We get a regular supply of the most delightful dogs, but at a pace that we can control and fit around our lifestyle. Everybody wins!
We have a problem with Carole. She’s just so popular! Owners will check when Carole is available before even considering dates for their own holidays.
These dogs are like family to me. I have a picture on my wall of everyone who stays with me.
Jane is both the founder of Animal Ark and an active host herself. She has created several companies from scratch and spent much of her career organising events all over the world. She has moulded together that love of animals and with expertise in getting things done, the result is the pet care agency that she would want for her own dogs.
For a dog lover, this is heaven. I personally get to meet every dog on our books and match them up with the best host for them. I cannot believe how successful it has been and how lucky I am!
The demand for home dog boarding is vast. We need more hosts, but not just any hosts. This is not the kind of job you do because you need a job. You do this kind of work because you are loopy about dogs. You are the kind of person who would pay us to be let loose in a field with a Labrador and a tennis ball.
This role has so far worked very well with mums and retired folk (although other animal lovers may find it matches their schedules too).
How many times have the kids nagged you about getting a dog? Think they are going to give up any time soon? How about not only do you get to borrow a dog, you get paid for it as well!
For retired folk it's an ideal way of having a dog without the commitment (or expense). You have a lovely dog (or two) when it suits you. During your life up until now you have probably spent a fortune on dogs. Now, in a bizarre twist of fate, the world is ready to pay you for the pleasure of having a hound on call when you want one. Think of it as pay back time.
So far mums and retired folks have been the ones that have come forward as hosts, but maybe you will surprise us. Maybe those two categories don't fit your description at all. No problem. As long as you can convince us that you are dotty about dogs and would do a great job of looking after them, you are the sort of person we are looking for.
Call us to find out more Contact Us
Here's what some of the existing hosts say about working with us. Isn't it about time we had your name on this list?
Ali from Reading
Looking after a dog for Animal Ark is like a paid luxury to me and my children.
Candy from Wokingham
The main thing that brings it all together is Jane. She's been fantastic. If we've ever had any issues or questions, she's been absolutely great and very helpful. She knows a lot about dogs and is great to work with and she's always around to help us if we need it. Animal Ark is a great company that really cares about the dogs and the hosts.
Val from Crowthorne
It has been an absolute joy to be a host for Animal Ark.
Julie from Emmer Green
I love being a host, it's great to have dog guests. It's so easy to fall in love with them.
By Phone | By Text | By Email |
0118 934 2712 | 07765 406386 | info@animalarkpetcare.com |
Come on, don't be shy, say hello.
Together we are going to work out how to make sure your pets are cared for and having the time of their lives.
Here are just a few of our happy clients. Why not challenge us to find one near you who you can talk to!
Lindsey from Henley
I think our host Sylvie had as much fun as our dog Poppy. We are already recomending Animal Ark to friends and family!
Caroline from Charvil
Host Maria is Star's second mummy. It's treats and cuddles all the way over there. Dog Heaven!
Andrew from Reading
Archie loves going on holiday with Animal Ark. He tells us he is very well looked after and can never wait to go back!
Ian from Twyford
Jane did a great job of walking our Jess and Megan. An excellent all round service.
Stuart from Wokingham
Ben our Lab is always a perfect guest, but Curtis the Springer needs a bit more attention, and Jane went out of her way to make sure he was secure in his new environment.
Sheila from Earley
The service provided was excellent. I would certainly recommend Animal Ark. The key was the careful matching of a host family.