Dog Boarding Policies

Our boarding policies help ensure every dog enjoys a safe, comfortable and enjoyable stay at Barkridge Boarding Kennels. They explain our booking requirements, health standards, payment terms and operational procedures so owners know exactly what to expect before their dog's stay.

By booking with Barkridge Boarding Kennels, you acknowledge that you have read and agree to these policies.

🐶 Eligibility Requirements

To ensure the safety and wellbeing of every guest, all dogs boarding at Barkridge must meet the following requirements.
✔ Be at least 12 weeks of age.
✔ Be fully vaccinated (C3 or C5).
✔ Be suitable for a boarding kennel environment.
✔ Be comfortable being handled for feeding, cleaning and daily care.
✔ Be free from contagious illness on arrival.
If we believe Barkridge is not the right environment for your dog, we reserve the right to decline a booking in the interests of your dog, other guests and our staff.

💉 Vaccination Requirements

To protect all dogs staying at Barkridge:
✔ Dogs must have current C3 or C5 vaccinations.
✔ Vaccinations must be completed at least two weeks before arrival.
✔ Dogs must arrive up to date with flea and worming treatments.
Dogs that do not meet these requirements may be refused entry.

📅 Booking Requirements

Bookings are confirmed only after availability has been checked and approved.
During peak periods, including school holidays, long weekends and Christmas, bookings often fill well in advance. We recommend booking as early as possible.
Barkridge reserves the right to refuse bookings where capacity has been reached.

💳 Payment Policy

Boarding fees must be paid prior to or at check-in unless otherwise agreed in writing.
Any additional charges incurred during your dog's stay, including transport, grooming or veterinary expenses, must be paid before collection.

💰 Deposits

Peak periods require a $100 booking deposit to secure your reservation.
Off-peak bookings do not require a deposit.
Bookings are not guaranteed until any required deposit has been received.

❌ Cancellation Policy

For bookings requiring a deposit:
✔ Deposits are refundable up to 14 days before arrival.
✔ Cancellations made more than 14 days before arrival will receive a credit for the remaining booking value.
✔ Cancellations within 14 days of arrival will forfeit the $100 deposit, with the remaining balance credited to your Barkridge account.
Refunds outside these terms are considered only in exceptional circumstances at Barkridge's discretion.

🕒 Arrival & Collection Policy

Our opening hours are:
Morning: 8:00am–9:00am
Afternoon: 4:00pm–5:00pm
To help us prepare for your arrival, we appreciate a text message with your Google Maps ETA where possible.
When arriving:
✔ The kennels are the first building on the left.
✔ Please do not drive to the house.
✔ Wait outside the kennel if we're assisting another customer.
✔ Please do not enter the kennel unless invited by a staff member.

⏰ Out-of-Hours Arrivals & Departures

Out-of-hours arrivals or collections are available only with prior approval.
Additional fees may apply.
If you are running early or late, please text us so we can prepare safely.
Unannounced arrivals outside approved times may be refused.

🍽️ Feeding Policy

We feed dogs according to the feeding schedule provided in their KennelBooker profile.
Owners are welcome to provide their dog's own food.
If bringing food, please ensure it is:
✔ Clearly labelled.
✔ Portioned where possible.
This helps maintain your dog's normal routine and reduces digestive upset.

💊 Medication Policy

We are happy to administer medication provided:
✔ Medication is clearly labelled.
✔ Written instructions are supplied.
✔ Any medical conditions are disclosed before arrival.
If your dog has complex medical requirements, please discuss them with us before booking.

🚑 Emergency Veterinary Treatment

Your dog's health and welfare are our highest priority.
If emergency veterinary treatment becomes necessary, Barkridge may:
✔ Contact you or your nominated emergency contact.
✔ Transport your dog to a veterinarian or emergency veterinary hospital.
✔ Approve emergency treatment where delaying treatment could place your dog's health at risk.
By boarding with Barkridge, you authorise us to act in your dog's best interests should an emergency occur.
All veterinary, transport and associated costs remain the responsibility of the owner.

🦠 Illness & Infectious Diseases

While Barkridge maintains high hygiene standards and closely monitors every dog, boarding facilities naturally carry some risk of contagious illnesses such as kennel cough or gastrointestinal illness.
By boarding with Barkridge, owners acknowledge and accept these inherent risks.

🐾 Behaviour Policy

Owners must disclose any known behavioural concerns before booking, including:
✔ Aggression.
✔ Anxiety.
✔ Escape behaviour.
✔ Resource guarding.
If undisclosed behaviour places staff or other dogs at risk, Barkridge reserves the right to modify care arrangements, request early collection or terminate the boarding stay.

🐕 Supervised Play Policy

Supervised play is available with owner consent and is based on temperament, compatibility and safety.
Dogs are never mixed unless we are confident they will interact safely.
Participation in social play is determined solely by Barkridge staff with the safety and wellbeing of every dog as the highest priority.

🔥 Dogs in Heat

Dogs in season or displaying significant hormonal behaviours may require modified care routines or separation from other dogs.
Where appropriate, Barkridge reserves the right to decline or modify boarding arrangements to maintain the safety and wellbeing of all guests. Please contact us prior and we will work with you to find a solution.

🛏️ Personal Belongings

Owners are welcome to bring:
✔ Beds.
✔ Blankets.
✔ Toys.
While every reasonable care is taken, Barkridge cannot accept responsibility for personal items that are damaged, chewed or destroyed during a dog's stay.

👶 Children & Visitor Safety

For the safety of our guests and visitors:
✔ Children are not permitted inside the kennel facility.
✔ Routine inspections are not offered.
✔ Facility visits may be arranged by appointment where appropriate.

📸 Photography & Social Media

With your consent, Barkridge may photograph or film your dog during their stay.
Images or videos may be used on our website, Facebook, Instagram and other promotional material.

🚫 Right to Decline or Cancel Boarding

Barkridge reserves the right to refuse or cancel any booking where:
✔ Vaccination requirements are not met.
✔ Behaviour presents an unacceptable safety risk.
✔ Health concerns make boarding unsuitable.
✔ Operational capacity has been reached.
These decisions are made solely in the interests of animal welfare, staff safety and the wellbeing of all boarding dogs.

🐕 Non-Collection / Abandonment

If a dog is not collected on the agreed departure date and we are unable to contact the owner or nominated emergency contact after reasonable attempts within 14 days, the dog may be considered abandoned.
Where permitted by law, Barkridge may transfer the dog to the appropriate ranger, pound or approved rescue organisation.
Owners remain responsible for all outstanding boarding and associated costs.

⚖️ Limitation of Liability

Barkridge takes every reasonable precaution to provide a safe, clean and well-supervised environment.
However, owners acknowledge that boarding environments carry inherent risks, including illness, stress-related conditions, injury through normal activity and the progression of pre-existing medical conditions.
Nothing in these policies limits any rights available under the Australian Consumer Law.

🤍 Our Commitment to Your Dog

We understand that leaving your dog can be difficult.
Our focus throughout every stay is providing exceptional care, maintaining a calm routine and ensuring every guest is safe, comfortable and well looked after.
For this reason, we're unable to provide daily individual updates or respond to update requests. Instead, we regularly share photos and videos across our Facebook and Instagram pages so owners can follow along whenever possible.
Thank you for trusting Barkridge Boarding Kennels with your dog's care. 🐾