Barker's Boarding Kennels and Cattery

- Almo, Hobhole Bank, Butterwick, Boston PE22 0PY

For pet owners across England, particularly in the picturesque county of Lincolnshire, ensuring their beloved dogs and cats are safe, comfortable, and well-cared for when they need to be away is a paramount concern. Whether it's for a short weekend break, a longer holiday, or during home renovations, finding reliable accommodation for your furry family members is essential. Located in the charming village of Butterwick, near Boston, Barker's Boarding Kennels and Cattery offers such a service, aiming to provide a temporary home for your pets.

Boarding kennels and catteries play a crucial role in the pet care ecosystem, offering a professional environment for animals when their owners are unavailable. These facilities are designed to provide food, shelter, exercise, and supervision, aiming to minimise stress for pets during their stay. Barker's Boarding Kennels and Cattery, situated in a rural setting, presents itself as an option for pet owners in the local area seeking such services.

This article aims to provide an objective overview of Barker's Boarding Kennels and Cattery, drawing on publicly available information and customer feedback. It will cover their location, the types of services typically offered by such establishments, what highlights they might present, and important considerations for local pet owners in England when choosing a boarding facility.

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Barker's Boarding Kennels and Cattery is located at Almo, Hobhole Bank, Butterwick, Boston PE22 0PY, UK. This address places the facility in the rural landscape of Butterwick, a village situated a short distance from the larger market town of Boston in Lincolnshire, England. The location on Hobhole Bank suggests a setting that is typically quieter and more open than an urban environment, which can be appealing for pet owners seeking a serene backdrop for their animals' stay.

For local residents in Boston and the surrounding villages, the kennels are accessible via local road networks. Hobhole Bank itself is a specific rural route, meaning clear directions or GPS navigation would be advisable for first-time visitors. The distance from Boston provides a balance: it’s close enough for convenient drop-offs and pick-ups, yet sufficiently removed to offer a sense of countryside tranquillity that many pet owners desire for their animals.

Accessibility by car is generally the primary method for reaching such rural establishments, and visitors would typically expect some parking facilities on-site or nearby for ease of transferring pets and luggage. For those in the wider Lincolnshire area, the drive would involve navigating local roads leading to Butterwick, an experience familiar to those living in the English countryside. It is always recommended to check opening hours and any specific drop-off/pick-up protocols before travelling.

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While specific detailed service lists for Barker's Boarding Kennels and Cattery are not extensively detailed in the provided snippet, typical services offered by reputable boarding kennels and catteries include a range of provisions designed to ensure the comfort and safety of boarded pets. Based on standard industry practices and the nature of such a facility, one would generally expect the following:

• Dog Boarding: Providing individual kennels or runs for dogs, offering shelter, bedding, and space for movement. This includes regular feeding according to owner instructions and access to fresh water.
• Cat Boarding (Cattery): Separate accommodation for cats, designed to minimise stress and provide a safe environment. This typically involves individual pens with sleeping areas, litter trays, and feeding.
• Daily Exercise & Enrichment: For dogs, this commonly includes supervised time in secure exercise yards, individual walks, or playtime. The aim is to provide physical activity and mental stimulation.
• Feeding Regimes: Adherence to the pet's regular feeding schedule and dietary requirements. This often includes accommodating owner-provided food, especially for pets on special diets.
• Medication Administration: Administering prescribed medications to pets as per veterinary instructions, which is crucial for animals with ongoing health conditions.
• Cleaning and Hygiene: Regular cleaning and sanitisation of kennels, catteries, and exercise areas to maintain a healthy environment and prevent the spread of illness.
• Health Monitoring: Daily checks on the pets' general health and well-being, with protocols in place for contacting owners and veterinary services in case of illness or emergency.
• Bedding Provision: Supplying clean and comfortable bedding, although many kennels also allow owners to bring their pet's own bedding from home for comfort.
• Supervision: Constant or regular supervision by trained staff to ensure the safety and welfare of all animals.

It is always recommended that pet owners discuss their specific pet's needs and daily routines with the boarding facility prior to booking to ensure all requirements can be met.

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Barker's Boarding Kennels and Cattery, like any pet care establishment, has aspects that stand out to its clientele. Based on the provided customer reviews, certain features and highlights emerge:

• Professionalism and Apparent Love of Animals: One significant highlight, as noted by a satisfied customer, is the "very professional" demeanour of the staff, coupled with an "obvious love of dogs." This personal touch and evident passion for animals can provide immense reassurance to pet owners leaving their companions behind, indicating that the care provided goes beyond mere duty.
• Relaxed Pets Upon Collection: Positive feedback highlighted that dogs like Tarla and Piper were "very relaxed when we picked them up." This outcome is a key indicator of a comfortable and well-managed stay, suggesting that the environment and care provided helped the dogs settle in well and feel at ease. For many pet owners, seeing their pets calm and happy post-boarding is the ultimate sign of a successful stay.
• Potential for Good Individual Care (as per positive feedback): The fact that some dogs were "very well looked after" suggests that for certain pets, the individual attention and environment provided were highly effective. This indicates that when the right match between pet and facility occurs, the experience can be very positive.

However, it is also important to address concerns raised in other reviews, as they represent features that, from a different perspective, might be perceived as areas needing improvement, or highlights of what *not* to expect for certain types of dogs:

• Handling of Nervous or Challenging Dogs: A significant concern raised by a customer with a "nervous Great Dane" highlighted a perceived lack of confidence in handling such temperaments, with claims that the dog was "not looked after him well at all" and "didn’t let him out the kennel all week." This suggests that while some dogs thrive, the facility might not be universally suitable for all temperaments, especially highly anxious or specific breeds requiring specialised handling and extensive outdoor time.
• Exercise Regimen and Security Concerns: The allegation that a dog was not let out of the kennel "all week" and a separate report of a dog getting out and taking "hours to get the dog bk from the fields" point to potential issues with exercise protocols and security measures. For many pet owners, regular exercise and robust security are non-negotiable aspects of quality boarding.

These contrasting points underscore the importance of understanding a facility's capabilities and suitability for individual pets, especially those with specific needs or anxieties.

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For pet owners interested in learning more about Barker's Boarding Kennels and Cattery, discussing their pet's needs, or arranging a visit, the primary contact details are as follows:

Address: Almo, Hobhole Bank, Butterwick, Boston PE22 0PY, UK

Please note that phone numbers were not explicitly provided for Barker's Boarding Kennels and Cattery in the initial information. It is standard practice for boarding facilities to have phone contact for bookings, inquiries, and emergencies. Therefore, it is highly recommended to search for their direct telephone number through local directories or online search engines before planning a visit or making a booking. Many reputable kennels also have a website or social media presence where contact forms or additional phone numbers might be available.

When making contact, it is always a good idea to inquire about their licensing, insurance, vaccination requirements, and to arrange a preliminary visit to the premises to assess the facilities firsthand.

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For some pet owners in the local area of Butterwick, Boston, and wider Lincolnshire, Barker's Boarding Kennels and Cattery may present a viable option for pet accommodation, particularly for dogs and cats who are generally relaxed and adaptable to kennel environments. The positive feedback highlights instances where pets have been "very well looked after" and remained "very relaxed" during their stay, suggesting that for certain animals, the environment and care provided align well with their needs. The described professionalism and "obvious love of dogs" from the staff can be a comforting assurance for owners who prioritise a caring human touch in their pet's temporary home.

The rural setting on Hobhole Bank offers a quiet and presumably less stressful environment compared to urban kennels, which could be beneficial for pets who are sensitive to city noise and commotion. For local residents, the proximity to Boston makes drop-offs and pick-ups relatively convenient, integrating the service into their travel plans without excessive detour.

However, it is crucial for prospective local clients to consider the varied experiences reported. While some pets thrive, the concerns raised about the handling of nervous dogs and alleged limitations on exercise for certain animals highlight that this facility may not be suitable for every pet, especially those with specific behavioural needs, anxieties, or requirements for extensive outdoor activity. The reported security incident also underscores the importance of verifying security protocols and staff supervision levels for all pet owners.

Therefore, for local residents in England considering Barker's Boarding Kennels and Cattery, a thorough pre-visit is highly recommended. This allows owners to personally assess the facilities, observe the animals currently boarding, speak directly with the staff about their pet's unique temperament and needs (e.g., a nervous Great Dane requiring specific handling or a pet needing frequent outdoor access), and confirm exercise routines and security measures. For confident, adaptable pets whose owners seek a rural setting and professional care, Barker's could indeed be a suitable local choice. However, for pets with complex needs, alternative arrangements or more specialised facilities that demonstrably cater to such requirements might be more appropriate. Ultimately, the suitability of Barker's Boarding Kennels and Cattery for locals depends heavily on the individual pet's personality and the owner's specific expectations for their care.

Barker's Boarding Kennels and Cattery

Almo, Hobhole Bank, Butterwick, Boston PE22 0PY, UK