The Dogfather Worcester

28/05/2026

This weekend a heartbreaking incident saw a dog lose its life from heat stroke whilst in the care of an unlicensed home boarder. 💔

The boarder lied and said they were licensed 🤬🤬🤬

It’s a devastating reminder of why choosing a LICENSED home boarding service matters so much.

Licensed boarders are required to:
✔️ Have inspections carried out
✔️ Complete risk assessments
✔️ Meet animal welfare standards
✔️ Hold appropriate insurance
✔️ Follow safety procedures for weather, exercise, transport and emergencies

Sadly, when people operate without a licence, these checks often aren’t in place — leaving dogs at risk and owners with little protection if the worst happens.

Please, before leaving your beloved pets with anyone:
🐾 Ask to see their licence
🐾 Check insurance cover
🐾 Read reviews
🐾 Visit the premises first
🐾 Don’t be afraid to ask questions

❌❌❌❌❌Please be aware platforms like Rover, Pawshake etc are NOT licenced. ❌ ❌❌❌❌

Our dogs are family, and their safety should always come first. ❤️

Please SHARE to help raise awareness.

27/05/2026

We're now closed for a dog free break and a bit of house maintenance, back to it on Monday 8 June (apart from a couple of pre-agreed earlier bookings). Tan will be around, so for any enquiries, do pop over an email.

26/05/2026

We will just add to this. It's essential to get the dog into cool water PDQ to start the cooling process, hopefully with someone alerting your vet. As Mari Rees Griffith-Edgell our top vet nurse says, you can't treat dead.

🥵DO YOU KNOW THE SIGNS OF HEATSTROKE???🥵

Crikey its another hot one today!! We hope you and your dogs are coping in this unusual May heatwave and have found some fun ways to keep them entertained, cool and most importantly safe!

Thankfully there is lots of great advice out there for keeping your dog safe during a heatwave, but would you know how to spot the signs of heatstroke? Prevention is obviously best but early action and intervention can make all the difference. Here are a few simple tips and things to look out for.

Our very own Sandra Raw of Worcester Dogs - Puppy & Dog Training and Beech Behaviour Centre will be talking more about this subject Wednesday morning on BBC Hereford and Worcester...

26/05/2026

Mrs dogfather wants to catch a few rays...not much chance in the lower part of the garden, her paws won't be getting too hot!

26/05/2026

Today's hydration, beef, broccoli and blueberry...the dogs love it and we mix with more water or freeze into lollies etc..such a good way to keep fluids up, particularly for fussier dogs...so many different proteins available too and a veggie version. We found this after Ted had an upset tummy after teeth removal and cautious about dehydration. Very versatile and we use it as a food topper too, so a dry meal is a little more tasty...

26/05/2026

Up and out early, into the woods which are nice and cool, walks done by 0745, too hot after. It's already 18' stay cool. Stay safe.

25/05/2026

It's been a busy weekend with lots of check ins and check outs. It's been full on monitoring mode. We've been dunking dogs on and off all day (apart from Harry, Harry doesn't do water - so the water goes to him, much to his disgust), ensuring cooling jackets aren't becoming dry, hosing down regularly outside for short outdoor time, rotating dogs between the aircon room and multiple fans, checking temperatures inside and out, checking paw pads and watching like hawks, mopping wet floors, been dog entertainers without too much excitement (that or our act is rubbish), providing waiter service with cold Furr Boost Lollies, applying sunscreen to noses, bellies and other bits that need it - and Sally and Ted got an outdoor bath too (and smelling much nicer). Tomorrow will be a complete carpet cleaning day (definitely does smell of wet dog for sure - not surprising that) and changing over all bedding. At least it'll dry in no time. They've all done amazingly well and not one grumpy or hot dog...

25/05/2026

Walks done...already getting warm out there...

24/05/2026

Good to know in case of emergency, particularly heat stress...