It’s completely normal to feel a little anxious about leaving your pet at a boarding facility for the first time. But in most cases, it’s not the pet that struggles—it’s the owner! We see it time and time again: worried pet parents stressing about how their dog or cat will cope, while their pet is happily exploring, playing, and settling in without a second thought.
Your Pet Feeds Off Your Energy
Animals are incredibly intuitive, and they pick up on our emotions more than we realise. If you’re feeling nervous or guilty when dropping them off, they’ll sense that. But instead of thinking, "Oh no, I'm being left behind!" they’re more likely wondering, "Why is my human acting so weird today?"
In reality, most pets settle in quickly, especially once they see the other happy animals, get a cuddle from the staff, or realise there’s a routine to follow. Some might take a little longer to adjust, and every pet is different, but the vast majority aren’t nearly as worried about it as their owners are!
Will My Pet Feel Abandoned?
This is one of the biggest concerns we hear from pet parents, and the answer is a reassuring no. Dogs and cats live in the moment. They don’t sit around wondering when you’ll come back or worrying about where you’ve gone. Instead, they focus on what’s happening right now—whether that’s playing outside, enjoying a meal, getting pats from the staff, or curling up for a nap.
It’s often the humans who struggle more with separation, checking their phones for updates and counting down the days until pickup. Meanwhile, their dog is having zoomies in the paddock, or their cat is stretched out in a sunny spot without a care in the world.
How We Make Boarding Comfortable
🐾 Familiar Comforts
We encourage you to bring your pet’s own bed, blanket, or a favourite toy to help them settle in. These familiar scents can provide an added sense of security in a new environment.
🐱 The Cattery Experience
Our cattery is designed to cater to all feline personalities. Some cats love to socialise and watch the world go by, while others prefer their own space. If your cat is the type to survey their kingdom from above, we have plenty of high perches for them to relax and observe. For those who prefer solitude, we ensure they have private areas to retreat to.
🐶 What About Playtime?
A common concern is, "Will my dog get enough attention and exercise?" The answer is—absolutely! Our boarding guests get plenty of supervised outdoor time, interaction with our staff, and, where appropriate, socialisation with other boarding dogs. For many dogs, they actually get more enrichment, exercise, and play than they do at home—especially if they’re normally home alone during the day.
Not Sure? Try a Day Stay First!
If your dog has never been in a kennel before, we highly recommend a Day Stay before their first overnight visit. This allows them to experience the routine, meet our staff, and realise that Canine & Co is a safe, fun place. (Please note: Day Stays are for dogs only.)
This is a great way to ease your nerves as well! You’ll get to see how your dog handles the experience without a long stay straight away, and in most cases, owners are surprised by how well their dog settles in.
Trust the Process – Your Pet Will Be Just Fine
At Canine & Co, we understand that trusting someone else with your furry family member can feel overwhelming. But we promise, your pet is in the best hands. We’ve seen so many anxious pet parents leave, only to return and find their dog or cat completely relaxed, happy, and well cared for.
So if you’re feeling nervous—take a deep breath. Your pet is in great hands, and we guarantee they’ll be having a great time (and probably won’t want to leave!).
If you have any questions about boarding or want to book a Day Stay, visit our website or get in touch—we’re happy to help!
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