Yes, cats must have a current F3 vaccination to stay with us. Please bring along the certificate, or we can confirm it with your vet. Vaccinations keep all our feline guests safe and healthy.

Cats are welcome and encouraged to bring special toys, beds and belongings as they are not in shared accommodation and fare better when they have some familiar scents around them.

No, our feline guests do not mix with unfamiliar cats. They either stay on their own or with their family cat siblings, so they always feel safe and comfortable.

As our beloved cats grow older, they often need a little extra care and attention — especially when boarding during busy holiday periods. Cats are creatures of habit and routine, and they thrive best when their daily patterns remain consistent. Senior cats, in particular, can become more sensitive to changes, and even small disruptions may add stress to their ageing bodies.

So, when is a cat considered senior? While it varies from cat to cat, generally felines aged 8 to 10 years and older are considered senior guests. At this stage of life, many cats begin to require closer attention, as they are more likely to have pre-existing medical conditions such as kidney disease, diabetes, hyperthyroidism, arthritis, or heart concerns. Some of these issues may already be diagnosed, while others may only become apparent when a cat experiences stress or changes in routine.

Before arranging a stay for your senior cat, it’s important to consider their overall health, personality, and tolerance for new environments. A veterinary health check before boarding is strongly recommended, to ensure your cat is stable and fit for their holiday with us. If your cat has multiple medical conditions, becomes very anxious in new situations, or has not boarded before, you may wish to consider alternative arrangements such as in-home pet sitting. For cats with serious or unpredictable medical needs, a veterinary boarding service may be the safest option.

If, however, your cat is relatively healthy, stable, and accustomed to new environments — especially if they’ve boarded happily in the past — then Barnstone Kennels & Cattery can provide a safe and comfortable home away from home. We always encourage pet parents to book a tour of our cattery in advance. This gives you a chance to see our facilities, meet our team, and discuss any specific needs or concerns about your senior cat’s care.

What we’ll need from you:

• A fit-to-board letter from your vet, updated every three months.
• An Aged Care Form, which our team will provide once your booking is created.
• An additional aged care fee of $5 per day, which helps us provide the extra time, care, and monitoring senior cats deserve.

At Barnstone Kennels & Cattery, we treat senior cats with the patience, gentleness, and love they need. Our team understands that older pets require more time, softer routines, and closer monitoring, and we take pride in making sure they are comfortable, secure, and well looked after throughout their stay.

Dogs must be up to date with their C5 vaccination. Please scan or bring the certificate with you. We’ll also ask about medication, routines or special needs so we can care for your pup just as you would at home.

For friendly, social dogs, we offer roomy shared spaces where they can bunk down with other dogs of similar size, age and personality. It’s like a fun sleepover with friends! If your dog prefers their own space, private suites are also available.

We require that all pets are covered with flea and tick (including paralysis tick) prevention for the duration of their stay. If your pet is staying longer than the covered period, please bring along another treatment so that we can reapply it on the appropriate day.

Yes, of course. We do have adequate bedding and toys at our resorts for our guests but should you choose to bring belongings from home for your dog we can’t guarantee those things will be returned in the same condition after all the fun of tug-of-war and wrestling games we often see when dogs share their things with their playmates.

We do accept un-desexed pets, however, if they are over 6 months old, they are required to board privately.

Unfortunately, we cannot accept females who are in season (for obvious reasons). It is the responsibility of the owner/s of the entire female to notify Barnstone Kennels & Cattery of their females cycle. If the female comes into season during a stay with us we may have to seek alternative lodgings for the pet at additional costs.

We welcome cat and dog breeds of all types and sizes. Our small dog breeds are accommodated in separate accommodation to larger breeds to ensure that your dog will be matched for socialisation with a similarly sized dog with a similar temperament and age.

Please not some dog breeds are required to be accommodated in Private Accommodation during their stay. These dogs will still have plenty of activity time and enriched play with our Pet Nannies.

Speak to our friendly reception to find out more information.

Yes, family or familiar pets can share bedrooms. We also have private accommodation packages available if you would prefer for them to have their own bedroom. We try to cater to all types of requests, so let us know what you would like during your pet’s stay and we will accommodate your wishes wherever possible.

Pets with extreme age or size differences may be required to reserve private accommodation if they wish stay together or the request may be denied for safety purposes.

*Private accommodation may not be available during school holiday times so please speak to our reception staff to discuss.

Please let our experienced staff know of any existing behaviours that you are aware of at the time of your booking. This way we can assess and make arrangements to accommodate to suit your pet’s needs. Private accommodation is available outside of school holiday periods for non-social dogs. Be sure to ask about our assessment days if you are not sure if your dog is social.

In the unlikely event that your dog attacks another dog and veterinary treatment needs to be sought, the owner of the attacking dog will be responsible for any veterinary service fee’s. Barnstone Kennels & Cattery will not take any unnecessary risks with canine socialisation so we expect that owners will notify us of any behavioural issues they are aware of.

Some breeds, known as brachycephalic or flat-faced dogs, are more prone to breathing difficulties, especially in warm weather or when they become excited. These include:

• • French Bulldog
• • Pug
• • British Bulldog
• • Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
• • Boston Terrier
• • Boxer
• • Brussels Griffon
• • Pekingese

There are other breeds with similar needs, but these are some of the more common and well-known.

At Barnstone Kennels & Cattery, we understand that brachycephalic dogs require special care. Our team takes every measure to ensure their comfort and wellbeing. However, because of their unique upper respiratory anatomy, these breeds can sometimes experience sudden and serious health issues. This is why many airlines also have strict travel guidelines and restrictions for brachycephalic pets.

We strongly recommend a veterinary check-up prior to boarding, particularly during the warmer months, to ensure your dog is fit, comfortable, and healthy enough for their stay. This extra step helps us provide the safest and happiest experience possible for your pet.

In the unlikely event that your dog requires veterinary treatment during their stay we will attempt to contact you or your listed emergency contact on the telephone numbers provided and seek instructions. If we are unable to reach you on the telephone, we will attempt to contact you via the email address provided and seek instructions. If we are still unable to make contact through these methods, we will make a decision based on the welfare and best interest of the pet.

Should your dog require veterinary treatment, they will be taken to the resort’s local vet for which a fee will be charged for transport and time spent at the vet ($40.00 transport, $25.00 labour per hour, $15.00 van sterilisation). Please note after hours or public holidays incur additional charges ($40.00 transport, $50.00 labour per hour, $15.00 van sterilisation). Should you request to have your pet taken to your treating vet, further charges will apply.

Please note that all veterinary fees are the responsibility of the owner and must be paid on presentation of the invoice.

Unfortunately for accommodation facilities, no amount of supervision or hygiene practices can completely eliminate the presence of Canine Cough. While we insist that all our canine guests are adequately immunized before staying with us, this does not stop the presence of canine cough.

Signs include a persistent cough often followed by gagging. If your pet displays any of these signs post-holiday, it is recommended that your pet is kept rested with plenty of water. If the coughing persists or your dog becomes lethargic, please consult with your vet.

At Barnstone Kennels & Cattery should we detect any pet displaying symptoms of K-9 Cough we will isolate them from other pets to stop the spread of this virus. We also spray our kennel twice weekly with F10sc – F10®SC is a veterinary disinfectant which achieves a broad spectrum kill of potentially harmful micro-organisms. It is active against bacteria, viruses, fungi and spores. It is an excellent product for achieving a high level of biosecurity effectively and safely as it poses no hazard to humans and is completely safe to use in presence of animals.

Barnstone Kennels & Cattery will make all attempts to prevent any outbreak of Canine Cough, however like Human colds and Flu’s the virus is unpredictable even in the cleanest environment. Barnstone Kennels & Cattery will not be held accountable in the event that an animal contracts the virus but will make every attempt to make sure the pet is comfortable and treatment is sought. Any veterinarian fee’s will be billed to the corresponding owner.

As our loyal canine companions grow older, they often need a little extra care and attention — especially when boarding during busy holiday periods. Dogs thrive on routine, and senior dogs can become more sensitive to changes, making it especially important to keep them comfortable and supported during their stay.

So, when is a dog considered senior? While it varies by breed and size (larger breeds tend to age more quickly than smaller ones), generally dogs aged 7 to 9 years and older are considered senior guests. At this stage of life, many dogs may have pre-existing health conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, kidney or liver issues, arthritis, or thyroid problems. Some of these conditions may already be known, while others may only show when a dog is under stress or experiencing changes to their usual routine.

Before arranging a stay for your senior dog, it’s important to think about their overall health, temperament, and how well they adjust to new situations. A veterinary health check before boarding is highly recommended, to make sure your dog is stable and well enough for their holiday. If your dog has multiple medical conditions, becomes very stressed in new environments, or has never boarded before, you may wish to consider alternatives such as in-home pet sitting. For dogs with more serious or unpredictable medical needs, a veterinary boarding service may be the safest option.

If, however, your dog is relatively healthy, enjoys meeting new people, and has boarded successfully before, Barnstone Kennels & Cattery can be a safe and happy home away from home. We also welcome you to take a tour of our kennels before booking — this gives you the chance to ask questions and share any concerns so we can tailor the care to your senior dog’s needs.

What we’ll need from you:

• • A fit-to-board letter from your vet, updated every three months.
• • An Aged Care Form, which our team will provide once your booking is created.
• • An additional aged care fee of $5 per day, which helps us provide the extra time, care, and monitoring senior dogs deserve.

At Barnstone Kennels & Cattery, we treat senior dogs with the patience, gentleness, and love they need. Our caring team understands that older pets require more time, softer routines, and closer monitoring, and we are committed to keeping them comfortable, safe, and happy throughout their stay.

• Lots of exercise and play
• Safe socialisation with other dogs
• Reduced boredom and anxiety at home
• Mental stimulation and confidence building
• Happy, tired dogs at pick-up time!

Yes, puppies are welcome once they’ve completed their full course of vaccinations. Daycare is a wonderful way for young dogs to learn social skills and build confidence in a supervised environment.

For everyone’s safety, we require dogs to have a current C5 vaccination before joining daycare. This helps protect against common illnesses and keeps our daycare environment healthy.

At Barnstone Doggy Day Care, there is never a dull moment and our schedule is packed with fun and activities! Trained supervisors ensure safe play with other dogs so you can have peace-of-mind knowing you can juggle a hectic work schedule without compromising the care of your best friend.

Doggy Daycare service options include:

• • Full day
• • Half day (under 5 hours)
• • 10 half day pass
• • 10 day pass

Yes, we can! Our Pet Taxi service is designed to make life easier for you and more comfortable for your pet. Whether it’s from your home, your vet, or for Doggy Day Care, we’ll ensure your pet travels safely with us.

• Pet Taxi from home – $68 each way for the first pet, plus $40 each way for each additional pet.
• Pet Taxi from Vet Agent – $35 each way for the first pet, plus $20 each way for each additional pet.
• Doggy Day Care Pet Taxi (within 10 km of our location) – $15.
• Doggy Day Care Pet Taxi (within 11–15 km of our location) – $25.
• Doggy Day Care Pet Taxi (within 16–20 km of our location) – $35.
• Doggy Day Care Pet Taxi (21 km or more from our location) – $65.

We offer a special Room Service Menu to make your pet’s stay extra delicious and comforting. Here are some of the tasty options you can choose from:

• Wet Food (Dogs) – A hearty, ready-to-serve meal to keep pups satisfied.
• Royal Canin Sachet (Cats) – A premium wet food option specially for our feline guests.
• Chicken Mince – Freshly prepared mince, perfect for a tasty protein boost.
• Chicken Breast (Boiled) – Lean and gentle on tummies, served per 100g.
• Beef Mince – A flavourful option full of protein, served per 100g.
• Tuna – A favourite for seafood-loving pets, served per 100g.
• Sardines – Nutritious and rich in omega oils, served per 100g.
• Salmon – A premium choice, full of flavour and goodness, served per 100g.
• Rice – A gentle, tummy-friendly side dish, served warm.
• Pasta – A comforting, filling option for a little variety.
• Warm Chicken Stock – Perfect for enticing fussy eaters or adding comfort on cooler days.
• Ice Block Treat – A fun and refreshing way to cool down, especially in warmer weather.
• Biscuit Treat – A crunchy reward to make their day extra special.

We offer a range of optional extras to make your pet’s stay even more comfortable, fun, and memorable. Here are some of the ways you can personalise their holiday with us:

• Additional Meal – Perfect for pets with a bigger appetite or those who need smaller, more frequent meals.
• Owner Supplied Diet – Storage and Corkage – If your pet is on a special diet, we’ll happily serve their own food just the way they like it.
• Own Treat Administration – Bring along your pet’s favourite treats, and we’ll make sure they get their little indulgence during the day.
• Pet Postcard – A sweet keepsake with a photo and update from your pet’s stay, so you know how much fun they’re having.
• Social Dog Enriched Playtime (15 min) – Supervised play sessions with other friendly dogs, great for social butterflies.
• Private Dog Enriched Playtime (15 min) – One-on-one time with our team for dogs who prefer individual attention.
• Medicated or Malasab Wash – Special cleansing wash for dogs who need extra skin or coat care.
• Bath and Blow Dry – Send your pet home looking and smelling their best with a refreshing bath and blow dry.
• Administration of Medication – Our trained team can carefully administer any medications your pet may need during their stay.