Professional and Caring Dog boarding in Duffy's Forest

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.