Please check my web pages often especially this page and the fees. Sometimes you may have brochures that are out of date. The website is updated regularly.

Q - What methods of payment are available ?
A - Cash, Postal Order or Cheque (By prior arrangement).

Q - What are the open hours at LochWind ?
A - 8.30 to 9.30am and 4.30 to 5.30pm.

Q - How strictly are the hours enforced ?
A - If your come more than ten or fifteen minutes early or late you will definitely be charged an out of hours fee.
If there are exceptional circumstances beyond your control, I try to be fair about it.

Q - Do you cater for out of hours ?
A - Yes, I can arrange an out of hours service at a charge of $40.

Q - Are there any days you are not open ?
A - Yes. I am not open on Xmas Day, New Years Day.

Q - Do you require a deposit to hold my booking ?
A - Yes. A 50% deposit is required for all holiday bookings. The deposit must be paid at the time the booking is made. You may chose to pay a deposit for other dates but it is not compulsory.

Q - Do I get my deposit back if I cancel ?
A - Deposits that encompass school holiday dates are non refundable. Your deposit is refundable if the dates are not school holiday dates, but you must make the cancellation fourteen full calendar days prior to the date your pet is due to enter LochWind. If you cancel with less than fourteen days notice your booking deposit is lost.

Q- Once I have booked, can I alter the dates ?
A - Yes, if you shorten the dates booked, you must give fourteen days notice or you will be charged for the dates that you originally booked.

Q - Can I pay by credit card ?
A - No. I have no EFTPOS or card facilities available when you collect your pet. On collection you can pay by cash, postal note or Personal cheques by prior arrangement.

Q - What happens if I turn up without my vaccination certificate ?
A - I will try and contact your vet before I check your pet in. If I cannot contact your vet to confirm a current vaccination I reserve the right to refuse entry to my kennels.

Q - Must my pet have a current vaccination ?
A - Dogs must have a C5 and cats an F3 current vaccination certificate. I will also accept pets who have a current titre certificate from a recognised vet or vet lab.

Q - Have you ever had Kennel Cough at LochWind ?
A - We have never had an outbreak of kennel cough. That is not to say it cannot or will not happen in the future. The incubation period for kennel cough is two to ten days, so potentially a dog could come in being a carrier then leave before the symptoms presented. We do have a stringent disinfection routine, which hopefully limits the chances of any cross contamination.KC is an airborne virus but fragile in the environment. All dogs entering LochWind are required to have current Kennel Cough vaccinations.
See this link for more information Kennel Cough.

Q - My dog has been to dog club or a grooming parlour recently and there is currently an outbreak of kennel cough in the South West (Oct/Nov 2011). If I am booked in for boarding in the near future, what should I do ?
A - If your dog has been in contact with any dogs that have kennel cough, even if your dog is vaccinated for KC, they may have contracted the virus. If you have any suspicions that your dog may have KC please do not bring them in to board within 14 days of exposure. KC is highly contagious, although seldom cause for serious concern unless your dog is elderly or frail. If your dog has KC it will have a rasping cough, but it is unlikely they will be dull or listless or off their food. Consult your vet if you have any concerns as they will treat yoour dog with antibiotics and recommend that you isolate your dog for fourteen days. DO NOT pat your infected dog then pat other uninfected dogs, as you may pass the virus to others.

Q - What would you want done with your dog IF an outbreak of KC went through this kennel ?
A - Let me know when you drop your dog off what your wished are.

Q - Have you ever had a disease outbreak of any kind at LochWind ?
A - No, I have had no outbreaks of any kind to date. All clients are required to have a current C5 or F3 vaccination before being admitted for boarding.

Q - If I have two dogs can they go into the same kennel run ?
A - Yes, the runs are large enough to comfortably house two GSD's or three small dogs.

Q - What happens if my dog requires daily medication ?
A - There is a charge of $2/ administration. Bring the medication with your pet and advise how many times per day the dose is given. So if your dog is medicated once per day it is $2, twice a day $4, three times per day $6 etc.

Q - My dog wears a barking collar at home, should I bring it with me ?
A - Yes, if your dog prooves to be a bad barker, I may refuse to board the dog in future. Bringing your barking collar ensures your pet behaves appropriately & is welcome back.

Q - If I have a long coated pet will he/she be groomed ?
A - If you require for your pet to be groomed you will need to book this service prior to admission. Extra charges will apply. Please do not ask me to groom grumpy long haired cats !

Q - Could you wash my dog before it goes home ?
A - Yes, ask for a quote for this service when you book your dog in.

Q - What will happen if my dog arrives with fleas ?
A - I will be very unhappy ! I reserve the right to refuse entry to the kennels. The alternative is that I flea treat and isolate the animal at your expense.

Q - What will happen if my dog requires the services of a vet ?
A - I will endeavor to contact your nominated vet. If I cannot contact your vet I will use my vet usual vet, Dr Elizabeth Colvin, to treat your pet. All expenses incurred will be your responsibility.

Q - If my pet is very old is there anything I should do prior to boarding ?
A - Not something we want to talk about, but realistically, there is always a possibility that an elderly pet may become unwell or even pass away whilst boarding, especially if it is long term. Please notify me of your wishes regarding how much veterinary intervention you are prepared to pay for and your wishes for cremation or burial etc.

Q - Can I bring my pets own bedding ?
A - You are welcome to bring toys or bedding as long as I can fit them in my washing machine. If bedding gets soiled I need to be able to wash & dry the bedding the same day.

Q - What will my pet be fed at LochWind ?
A - I have a good range of premium food available, such as Eagle Pak, Royal Canin, Eukanuba, Hills Science Diet. Also Bonnie Working Dog, Whiskas, Friskies, Fancy Feast, Iams, Optimum. In wet food I stock Beef mince, BARF patties, 4 Legs, Prota Roll, My Dog, Fish for Dogs, Beneful meals, Kangaroo meat, Chicken necks & wings, Purr and Fancy feast. I like to feed as close to "normal" for your pet so that it minimises tummy upsets and encourages them to keep eating well. I also supply Schmakkos at night.

Q - Can I supply my own food for my pet ?
A - Yes, I have a fridge and freezer in the kennel so bringing your own food is no problem.

Q - Can my dog have raw bones whilst boarding ?
A - No. They create too much mess in the kennels and on bedding. They also attract flies in summer. If given outside they end up covered in sand. You are welcome to bring rawhide chews, pigs ears etc.

Q - Do you take unsterilised dogs and cats ?
A - All male cats MUST be sterilised if over 5 months of age. No exceptions. For dogs, there is a surcharge of $4/day on top of the normal rate for entire males.

Q - Will my dog be able to play with other dogs ?
A - Yes, depending on the temperament of your dog and if I have suitable other boarders in at the time. Small dogs generally have plenty of company on hand. Larger dogs I am careful to match playmates. Unsterilised dogs will not be mixed with any other dogs.

Q - Will my dog have her/his own kennel or will they be sharing ?
A - Yes, your dogs will have a private run or if you book two dogs in together they can share. Sometimes dogs, especially smaller or younger dogs, are frightened and in these cases I will try and match them with a suitable, similar sized dog to share with, to help them feel more secure. Some dogs also bark incessantly if left alone and are far happier in with a "friend". I reserve the right to use my own discretion in these cases.

Q - Will my dog lose eight whilst boarding ?
A - At LochWind you will probably find that despite being fed a plentiful amount, your pet may lose some weight. Except when there is inclement weather, your pet will be outside in one of our large play areas. Under these circumstances the dogs tend to play hard and fast for much of the day. This may well be more exercise in a day than they generally get in a week at home. Most suburban back yards are quite small, dogs that are an only pet may not exercise much alone.

Q - If you do not want your pet to lose weight what should you do ?
A - Notify me on arrival so that I can increase food and/or limit play time for you. Please be aware that some pets that fret may not eat well. I cannot force feed them. If a pet is not adapting to a boarding situation and is here for a few weeks of course they may lose weight. I have no way of knowing beforehand how each animal with respond to the situation it is in.

Q - How often does my dog get out to play ?
A - A minimum of twice per day. In good weather they are out for 4 or 5 hours each day. If it is raining or very hot they go out less of course. In summer they go out early in the morning and again late afternoon often staying out until 10pm under lights in the cool.

Q - What hygene measures are put in place to keep pets healthy during their stay at LochWind.
A - The kennels are disinfected daily, bleached out weekly and cleaned with VIRKON every month. The kennels are painted twice a year.