WHAT WE OFFER
WELCOME TO RUFFLES
You've probably heard the saying that "Dogs are not our whole lives, but they make our lives whole". As pawrents, we tend to feel so guilty when we're busy with daily life and inevitably at some point have to leave our furkids home alone. But what if you could give them a fun day out or a holiday of their own? That's where Ruffles can help!
We offer a safe and comfortable environment for home dog boarding (a kinder alternative to commercial kennels), doggy daycare and dog walking services. We are fully insured for public liability and emergency vet care. We are proudly licensed 5 Stars for home dog boarding & daycare by Dartford Borough Council, which means we are compliant with all legal requirements for home boarding facilities including standards of care, cleanliness, emergency procedures, record keeping and insurance. We are also certified in Kennel Club accredited canine first aid for any emergency or medical care.
We are licensed for up to six dogs at a time which works for our home space, guarantees quality care can be provided for all boarding and daycare guests and creates a more relaxed environment for socialised dogs to enjoy eachother's company, stress-free. A compulosry meet & greet is required for all new clients so you can see the premises and we can get to know eachother. This helps us to understand you and your dog's needs to ensure the stay is a good match and we can give them the best possible care.
Home dog boarding is a concept that appealed to our own needs as pawrents, so we are fully aware and conscious of yours. We take pride in providing the best care and service so you can fully relax and enjoy your time away, knowing your furbaby is in the best hands!
YOUR DOG'S SECOND HOME
We live in a spacious and comfortable home in the beautiful surroundings of Ingress Park, by the river Thames, in Greenhithe Village, Kent. The house is clean and simply furnished, ensuring the safety and comfort of your dog at all times. My partner (who is equally as passionate about dogs) and I work from a home office so your dog will have constant company, be entertained and kept safe all day long.
There is a walled garden and plenty of secure outdoor space for play or relaxing in the fresh air and sunshine. In our home, your dog has room to roam freely and find their own favourite spot. It's best your bring your dog's own bed, blankets and toys, so they feel comfortable with their own familiar things, but we also have plenty of spares!
Ingress Park has many outdoor spaces for safe, on-lead walks including a riverfront walk, a large terraced green in front of Ingress Abbey plus a heritage trail through the woods. And there are always lots of other four-legged friends out and about for your dog to interact with and make new friends, if they so wish. There are also country parks just a short drive away, like Jeskyns, Bean Country Park etc, perfect for a change of scene and new smells to sniff, keeping your dog happy and stimulated.
CARE & ROUTINE
One of the main advantages of home boarding is that your dog's usual routine is maintained in a similar home environment, reducing any stress or anxiety they (or you!) might feel while you're away. We will feed as per your instructions, but we don't provide food as it's best your dog continues with its own food to avoid any upsets due to change of diet. We can certainly take care of any special dietary requirements and preparation of specific food.
We will walk your dog according to your usual routine but as a minimum we always walk at least twice a day. We prefer not to walk off-lead - the risks are too high and should the unthinkable happen it would be devastating for both you and us. Nevertheless, as a precaution, we do have special Ruffles ID tags we'll attach to your dog's collar while they're in our care, just in case.
We take your dog's health and wellbeing seriously so can only accept dogs that are fully up to date with vaccinations and treated regularly with tick & flea prevention. We can administer any basic medications your dog needs during the stay and we're certified in Kennel Club accredited canine first aid so we can quickly attend to any emergencies or care should your dog fall ill while staying with us.
We can also take care of any basic grooming requirements including daily brushing, bath/shower, teeth brushing and ear cleaning, as per your instructions.
PUPDATES
We understand that being away from your pet can be stressful, so to put your mind at rest we will send daily 'pupdates' with photos and videos of how your dog is doing and what they've been up to. Seeing your dog relaxed and enjoying their staycation provides reassurance that they are happy and being cared for, so no need to worry and you can fully relax and enjoy your time away. You're also welcome to contact us at any time for an update on how things are going or if you have any concerns.
We regularly update our Facebook page and Instagram with pictures of all our guests so you can follow all the latest action at Ruffles. You might even end up being a little bit jealous of the holiday your dog is having!
I very much enjoy this part of home boarding and love taking pictures and videos of our time with the dogs, whether it's during walks, playing in the garden or relaxing in the house. As well as the reassurance this part of the service provides, we like to think you get some great holiday snaps too - a little memento of your dog's stay with us here at Ruffles!