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Welcome to Farm Cottage Boarding
(Previously known as Shelley's Kennels)
5* Dog Hotel, VIP Suites, Doggy Day Care, Wedding Chaperone Service, Groom Room, Puppy & Behavioural Training, Dog Walking, Dog Taxi & Shop
Farm Cottage Boarding
- Owners Bill Brown & Alice Holt are licensed with Bury Council (AWL0038 & AWL0041) for 38 dogs and meet all of the higher standards in accordance with DEFRA guidellines
- DBS checked
- Public liability insured
- Ofqual Level 3 qualified in Canine Care, Behaviour & Welfare
- Level 3 qualified in Canine Psychology
- Canine First Aid Level 2
- Canine Communication Diploma
- Training Deaf Dogs qualification
- Winners of ‘Family Business of the Year 2024’ in the Lancashire Pet & Animal Care Awards
- As featured in Lancashire Life, Cheshire Life, I Do magazine & The Canine Times
- 2024 Finalists in the North of England Wedding Services Awards
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A bit about us
Hi, we’re Alice and Bill and before buying the business we ran a successful home boarding business for dogs where we won ‘Family Business of the Year 2024’ in the Lancashire Pet & Animal Care Awards. We’ve now realised our dream of expanding our existing business to offer a ‘one stop shop’ for all your doggy needs in a friendly and stimulating environment.
We’ve set the business up in a way that we’d want our own dog to be looked after, i.e. daily updates and photos of how they’re getting on and what they’re doing, lots of cuddles etc. We take pride in providing 1:1 care and attention for each dog, with individual exercise and enrichment programmes discussed with owners prior to them being left.
We’re passionate about dogs and have always had them since being very young. Up until recently we had three of our own, Poppy – a Border Collie, Archie – a Border Terrier and Billy – a Beagle who we rescued from Bleakholt Animal Sanctuary after him living there for 8 years waiting for his forever home. Unfortunately, Archie and Billy passed over Rainbow Bridge due to old age and so now we just have Poppy and our new addition, a rescue Border Collie called Del.
Having been brought up with dogs and having always had at least one dog we’d consider ourselves experienced dog owners. Over the years we’ve faced a number of situations and challenges including bringing a new puppy home, rescue dogs, house training, recall training, jealousy, separation anxiety, possessiveness and we’ve also had dogs with behavioural issues which unfortunately means we’ve been bitten a few times too!
Where are we?
Higher Bury Meadows Farm
Roading Brook Road, Tottington, Bury, BL2 4JQ
We’re situated in Lancashire’s green belt land between Bury and Bolton in beautiful rural surroundings
Opening times & contact
Monday – Friday – 10am – 4pm
Saturday & Sunday – 10am – 4pm
Pick up and drop offs between 10am – 12pm & 2pm – 4pm
Out of hours available by prior arrangement
Come and visit us any day between 10am – 3pm (no appointment necessary) or contact us by email fchomeboarding@gmail.com, by phone 07359 211005 or via social media using the links below.
Meet the Team
ALICE
CO-OWNER
Level 3 OFQUAL qualified in Canine Care, Behaviour & Welfare, Level 2 qualified in Canine First Aid, Canine Communication Diploma, Deaf Dogs training, and Canine Psychology trained. Having previously worked as an Exec Assistant, Alice is very organised and customer focused. She set up her own ‘school holiday’ dog walking business at the age of 11 and would have a house full of dogs if she could!
NICOLE
KENNEL MANAGER
BTEC Level 3 qualified with distinction in Animal Care and also Level 2 qualified in Canine First Aid. Nicoles commitment and knowledge of all our boarders is invaluable and her attention to detail is second to none
BILL
CO-OWNER & OPERATIONS MANAGER
Practical, down to earth and straight talking. Very handy and likes making things – he has a fine collection of screws! Former Royal Marine and loves being outdoors
DARCEY
KENNEL ASSISTANT
Level 2 qualified in Canine First Aid and currently working towards Level 2 in Canine Care & Welfare. If Darcey isn’t here giving all the dogs the love they need, you’ll find her at the stables with her beloved horses
RICK
GENERAL DOGSBODY
Recently retired and a great hands-on help when we need something doing! He always seems to be around when there’s food about!
PAUL PUPPY TRAINING, DOG BEHAVIOURIST & DOG WALKER
Paul offers Puppy Training & Behavioural Training. As an IMDT accredited trainer, he offers a range of services tailored to bring out the best in your canine companion. Whether you’re looking for comprehensive training classes, professional dog walking services, or simply advice on canine care, he’s here to guide you every step of the way
ELIZABETH
KENNEL ASSISTANT
Level 3 BTEC qualified in Animal Management with three Distinction Stars, Pet First Aid qualified and trained in Canine Behaviour and Dog Grooming. Elizabeth is studying Animal Behaviour and Welfare at Myerscough University to further her career. She has a passion for animals and her future goal is to be a Guide Dog trainer
CHARLIE JEAN
ON-SITE GROOMER
Very ambitious and customer focused. She’s always been passionate about dogs and if she’s not at work grooming customers dogs then she’ll be at home with her own dogs Rolo and Fudge
TERI
KENNEL ASSISTANT
Teri has been recruited as the trusted night time carer for our guests with the all important job of late night let outs, cosy tuck ins and bedtime belly rubs to ensure every guest drifts off into a night of sweet dreams. Whether it’s a walk for a last toilet opportunity under the stars or a little extra reassurance before lights out Teri is there to make sure every dog feels safe, snug and loved
Our facilities
- We provide a homely relaxing environment, from the moment your 4-legged family member steps into the reception area and throughout the entirety of their stay. We strive to give all our guests the best holiday possible
- We have three large exercise areas, shower and grooming room and a vet on-call 24 hours a day
- The exercise areas are fully fenced and secure, including grass, astro and patio. We strive to be as allergy friendly as possible, which is why we have a pet friendly astroturf area to ensure those dogs with grass allergies still get the exercise they need without worrying about potential flareups
- All dogs receive the benefit of 1:1 care and attention
- With a staff ratio of 1 person to a maximum of 8 dogs, this gives us more than enough time to exercise each dog individually (with the option of group exercise)
- Any special dietary requirements are discussed and agreed with owners and our facilities include fridges and freezers to accommodate for raw diets
Our prices
Prices are per day and inclusive of pick up and drop off days
Dog Hotel – 18 rooms available, £35 a day for one dog, for two dogs sharing its £50 a day, for three dogs sharing its £65 a day and for four dogs sharing its £80 a day
VIP Suites (guests have their own sofa & tv) – 3 large rooms available, £60 a day for one dog, for two dogs sharing its £90 a day, or for three dogs sharing its £110 a day
VIP Mini (guests have their own sofa & tv) – 2 smaller rooms available, £45 a day for one dog, for two dogs sharing its £70 a day, or for three dogs sharing its £90 a day
Doggy Day Care – available 7 days a week, £15 for a 4-hour period and £25 for an 8-hour period between 0700 – 1800. Out of hours available by special request and at our discretion
Wedding chaperone service – price dependant on package chosen
Groom Room – treatments starting from £10. Contact Charlie directly on 07476 749143 or peggysandpaws@outlook.com to make an appointment
Puppy training, Behavioural Training & Dog Walking – contact Paul directly on 07960 463432 or visit his website https://www.paulsdynamicdogs.co.uk/
Dog Taxi service – £20 within a 4 mile radius from BL2 4JQ (a lift to the vets, groomers, pick up and drop offs etc) and 45p a mile thereafter
- All dogs sharing a room MUST be from the same household – this is a strict licence requirement
- All new dogs MUST first have an initial overnight trial stay at a cost of £70 – this is a strict licence requirement
What’s included?
- 6 onsite exercise (and with owners consent group socialisation) sessions (8am toilet opportunity before breakfast; 9:30-11:30am playtime lasting at least 20 mins; 11:30-1pm one to one enrichment activities / brain games; 1:30-4pm playtime lasting at least 20 mins; 5-6pm toilet opportunity after evening meal; 8:30-10pm toilet opportunity before bed and lights out
- Individual feeding routine as you do at home
- Medication, health supplements such as oils and joint care tablets administered if required
- All rooms centrally heated with air-con for the summer months and CCTV
- Plastic beds with vet bedding
- Vet on call 24/7
- All members of the team qualified in Animal Management or Canine Care and Canine First Aid trained
- Fully insured (pre-existing conditions excluded)
- A free shower and brush before home time
What’s not included?
- Food – please portion up and label (or provide a measuring scoop)
- Treats
- Out of hours (10pm-6am) administration of medication will incur an additional £2 charge per day
Minimum stay & Bank Holidays
- Please note we operate a minimum stay period of 5 days during peak periods (i.e. school holidays)
- All Bank Holidays including Good Friday will attract a supplement of £10 per day per dog
- Closed days will be charged double. These are Christmas Day, Boxing Day, New Years Eve & New Years Day
Dog Hotel
- The rooms are bright and airy with brand new Altro flooring which is durable, slip resistant and hygienic
- Each dog occupies over-sized centrally heated accommodation of the highest standard which is made of glass and UPVC with separate sleeping quarters
- There are extra-large rooms available for family groups so dogs that live together need not be separated
- We purposely do not have external runs attached to the rooms to ensure they remain warm and dry
- Each guest has access to the outside area at least six times a day, with playtime lasting a minimum of 20 minutes, in one of our secure exercise areas to give them plenty of stimulation, cuddles and fresh country air to give them a good nights rest
- Each individual room has its own Ring Camera so we can monitor them 24 hours a day to ensure their safety and happiness
- Someone is on site 24/7 and the building is fitted with anti snap locks on all doors, an alarm system on doors and windows and smoke detectors which are connected to the house and our phones should an alarm go off out of hours
- Guests are treated to a complimentary hot shower (in our top of the range facility), blow dry and groom, before their return home, to ensure they’re smelling lovely, for that fresh from the spa feeling!
- We offer a range of shampoos (to suit your dogs skin type) however, please feel free to bring your own from home if you prefer
Please use the online booking facility to reserve a room
VIP Suites
- We have 5 VIP Suites available
- The VIP Suites have been designed to look and feel like a living room and as such your dog will have its own sofa and television
- The suites have heating, smoke detector, are insulated and monitored by CCTV
- Your dog will be exercised individually and will not mix with any other dogs during their stay unless we have your consent to do so
- Flexible drop off and pick up times
- These get booked up quite far in advance and are allocated on a first come first served basis
Please use the online booking facility to reserve a room
Our 3 exercise areas
- Sensory garden – a paradise designed for our guests. With wind chimes, windmills, a sandpit, ball pool, wooden logs, lavender plants and so much more it’s the perfect place for dogs to explore, sniff and relax. It’s packed with snuffle and licky mats, brain games and hidden treats, encouraging natural instincts and mental stimulation. Its a true chill out zone where dogs can use all their senses and just enjoy being a dog!
- The Triangle – is our all weather play area with rubber matting to ensure our guests can play all year round without getting muddy paws. The 2 metre fence provides a safe and secure environment, while our agility equipment keeps tails wagging with lots of fun and exercise
- Astro Turf play area – the perfect spot for allergy sensitive dogs. The pollen free turf keeps sneezes away and offers a soft, fun space to run and play. With climbing equipment, lots of toys to chase and fetch the dogs can have endless hours of tail wagging fun
Doggy Day Care
- We have a limited number of Day Care places available 7 days a week for an 8-hour period between 0700 – 1800
- We can provide out of hours care by special request at our discretion
- Places get booked up quite far in advance and are allocated on a first come first served basis
- Regular and adhoc bookings available
Please use the online appointment booking facility to reserve a place
Dog Taxi
- £20 within a 4 mile radius of BL2 4JQ and 45p per mile thereafter
- We can provide a lift to and from the vets, groomers etc and also offer a collection and delivery service when boarding with us
Please contact us directly for availability and to book
Puppy Training Classes, Behavioural Training & Dog Walking
Paul is an accredited IMDT trainer with a passion for helping pet guardians build positive relationships with their dogs using reward-based methods. He holds qualifications in canine training and behaviour at Levels 3 and 4, and is currently working towards a Level 6 qualification to become a Canine Behaviourist. His approach focuses on fostering trust and understanding between dogs and their guardians’, ensuring training is both fun and effective.
Whether you’re looking for group classes, personalised one-to-one sessions, or professional dog walking services, he’s here to help your dog thrive. You can get in touch with Paul on 07960 463432 or visit his website https://www.paulsdynamicdogs.co.uk/
Wedding Chaperone Service
You can rest assured that your dog will be safe with us, and their welfare will be our only priority to allow you to have complete peace of mind and enjoy your big day. We’re based in Tottington on the Bury/Bolton border and offer a friendly and professional service covering the North-West of England at a competitive price.
Create your own bespoke package from (but not limited to) the following services;
- Pre wedding day meet and greet
- Boarding for your dog the night before and after your wedding and during your honeymoon if required
- Transport your dog to and from the venue
- Dressing and grooming your dog
- Ensure your dog is exercised, fed, watered and has toilet breaks during the day
- Provide support to photographer in getting the perfect shot of you and your dog
- Liaise with your wedding planner during the day
- Be on standby with treats and toys
- Behind the scenes photos of your dog on your special day
- Regular updates while your dog is in our care
- Advice on itinerary ideas to get your dog involved in your special day
- Attend wedding rehearsals if required
- We can accommodate any breed of dog, special requests, specific medical conditions and behavioural issues (i.e. separation anxiety, nervousness, highly energetic etc)
Please contact us directly to chat through your requirements and for a personalised quote
Groom Room
Peggys & Paws with Charlie Jean
Treatments available;
- Bath – includes bath, de-shed, ear cleaning, nail clipping & perfume
- Full groom – includes bath, dry, clipping, styling, nail trimming, ear cleaning, paw pads (hygiene) & perfume
- Styling – includes bath, dry, styling/scissoring, nail clipping, ear cleaning, paw pads (hygiene) and perfume
- Hand stripping
- Nail Clipping
- Facial
- De matting
Dog sizes
- Extra small – 0-6kg (e.g. Teacup Maltese. Chihuahua)
- Small – 7-12kg (e.g. French Bulldog, Pug, Dachshund)
- Medium – 13-22kg (e.g. Cockerpoo, Spaniel, Staff)
- Large – 23-44kg (e.g. Labradoodle, Labrador, Boxer)
- Extra large – 45kg (e.g. German Shepherd, Husky)
If you have any questions please contact Charlie directly by email peggysandpaws@outlook.com or by phone on 07476 749143
Shop
The following natural dog treats available to buy either gift boxed or in a ‘pic n mix’ bag;
- Chicken neck – mineral rich crunchy treat
- Chicken foot – rich in omega oils and chondroitin
- Cows ear – low fat and rich in chondroitin
- Empty hoof – collagen rich chew suitable for stuffing
- Lamb trotter – calcium and omega rich chew
- Hairy rabbit ear – vitamin rich and low in cholesterol
- Deer leg – long lasting, high in protein and low in fat
- Pizzle sticks – teeth cleaning and dental hygiene
- Pizzle filled bone – hard, chewy, long-lasting treat
- Pigs ear – contains natural glucosamine and chondroitin
- Fish twists – hypoallergenic and high in omega 3
- Filled bone – can alleviate boredom, provide stress relief and dental care
- Roasted knuckle bone – packed with vital nutrients that are essential for a dog’s overall development and health
Medication protocol
- There are strict rules we have to follow if we are administering any tablets/medication to your dog
- We have paperwork to complete each time we do this and have to monitor the animal to check for any adverse reaction
- We have to know the condition the dog is being treated for and we also have to see the original packaging/container the medication came in. This is done so that we can check the vet details and satisfy ourselves on dosage
- If your dog is on ANY form of medication, you need to tell us at the time of booking or when the medication was prescribed subsequently
- We will need to feel comfortable that we can administer the medication without causing undue stress to the dog or any risk to staff. If we cannot do this, we will decline the booking
Client Area
Booking
- Please note that a minimum of 5 days stay apply during peak periods (i.e. school holidays)
- As we’re a small business, bookings cannot be made on a provisional basis
- Bookings will be confirmed if there’s availability
Payments
- Deposits are 30% (minimum £70) of the total bill & is required to be paid on confirmation of booking. This will be non- refundable / non-transferable and be deducted from the final bill
- Deposits are required within 24 hours of booking. Booking requests will be cancelled if payment is not received
- Cancellations within 28 days of your stay will incur the full charge of the room for the full period of the booking
- All final payments are due 14 days prior to your stay. Bookings may be cancelled if payment is not received by this point
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Our mission statement
To provide exceptional care, comfort and enrichment for every dog we welcome. We’re dedicated to creating an environment where every dog can thrive, delivering personalised care, enhancing the well-being of dogs, and exceeding customer expectations to make every stay a positive and enriching experience.