Home-from-home dog boarding
Home Dog Boarding in Ipswich
Their home away from home. Licensed overnight boarding in a genuine Ipswich family home — never a kennel — with a maximum of five guest dogs at a time.
What home boarding means
Home dog boarding is exactly what it sounds like: while you're away, your dog boards in someone's home rather than in a boarding kennel. Instead of a concrete run and a raised bed, they get the run of a real house — sofas, garden, company and the everyday sounds of family life.
At The Collar Club Ipswich, home boarding in Ipswich means your dog becomes a temporary member of our household. They follow a normal daily rhythm: a proper walk, time in the secure garden, meals at their usual times, and a settled evening indoors. They sleep inside the house, warm and close to people — never in a kennel, run or outbuilding.
Because we welcome no more than 5 guest dogs at a time, the house stays calm and every dog is genuinely known — their routines, their quirks and the things that help them settle.
A different kind of stay
Home boarding at The Collar Club Ipswich
Kennels suit some dogs well. For dogs who are used to a home, though, boarding in a house is simply a gentler experience. Here's how the two compare.
| Feature | Home boarding at The Collar Club Ipswich | A traditional kennel stay |
|---|---|---|
| Where dogs stay | Inside the family home, as part of the household | Usually in an individual kennel unit or run |
| Numbers | A maximum of 5 guest dogs at a time | Often many dogs boarded in one block |
| Daily routine | Follows your dog's normal routine as closely as possible | Follows the kennel's fixed schedule |
| Evenings & nights | Settled indoors in a quiet, warm house | Dogs bed down in the kennel block |
| Attention | Continuous human company and one-to-one care | Staff care shared across all boarders |
A stay at The Collar Club Ipswich
Everything revolves around keeping your dog's world familiar while you're away.
The home environment
Dogs live inside the house with us, with soft places to rest and a secure garden to potter and play in. With only 5 guests at a time there's room for everyone — sociable dogs find company, and quieter dogs find a peaceful corner.
Normal routines
We keep to your dog's usual routine as closely as we can — mealtimes, walking times and bedtime habits — so the stay feels familiar rather than disruptive. Your dogs regular routines will be fully discussed during a meet and greet.
Sleeping arrangements
Every dog sleeps indoors, in the warmth of the house. We follow your sleeping arrangements from home. Whether your dogs sleeps on your bed, on the sofa, requires their own room or is used to a crate, we will follow where possible.
Walks
Boarding includes proper daily walks on the footpaths and countryside around Ipswich and Suffolk, matched to your dog's age, fitness and habits. All dog will received at least 2 20 minute walks as standard. This can be changed in line with your dogs needs. If your dog is used to walking off lead, we can seek your permission to follow this where is safe to do so.
Feeding
Dogs are fed their own food, to their usual schedule, from their own bowls — bring whatever they eat at home and we'll keep things exactly as they're used to. Medication can be given by arrangement. Feeding and medication requirements will be discussed prior to any visit.
Introductions
All new friends require a meet and greet. This give everyone a chance to meet. Your dog will also be introduced to our resident dogs and potentially some guests to see how they all get on. If a meet and greet is successful a trial day / night will be arranged so we can fully assess your dog to ensure they will fit into the club and be happy.
Keeping in touch
We are more than happy to keep in contact with you throughout your dogs stay. We can send you messages, photos and videos as much as you require.
What to bring
- Enough of their usual food for the full stay
- A lead, collar and any harness they use
- Any medication, clearly labelled with instructions
- A familiar bed, blanket or toy if it helps them settle
- Your contact details and emergency vet information
- If your dog has a bed they sleep in, then please do bring it. Dog bowls can be provided
- If you dog will be due a flea or worm treatment during their stay, please pack this for them
Licensed and inspected
Home boarding is a licensed activity, and it matters. The Collar Club Ipswich holds a home boarding and day care licence from Ipswich Borough Council — licence number AWL0005 — which means our home, our care routines and our welfare standards are assessed and approved by the council.
If you're comparing options for dog boarding in Ipswich, always ask to see a current licence. It's your assurance that the person caring for your dog has been properly vetted.
Licensed by Ipswich Borough Council • AWL0005
How enquiries work
Start by sending an availability enquiry with your dates and a little about your dog. We will arrange a quick phone chat followed by a meet and greet. Please note we cannot accept emergency boarding enquires for new dogs due to the process we have to follow. A successful meet and greet will lead to a trial stay.
Because we only take 5 dogs at a time, popular dates — school holidays and Christmas especially — are booked well in advance.
Home boarding FAQs
- What is home dog boarding?
- Home dog boarding means your dog stays overnight in the carer's own home rather than in a boarding kennel. At The Collar Club Ipswich your dog lives indoors with our family in Ipswich, following a normal household routine of walks, meals, garden time and rest.
- How many dogs do you board at once?
- A maximum of 5 guest dogs at any one time. Keeping numbers small means every dog gets individual attention and the house stays calm — particularly important for older or nervous dogs.
- Is The Collar Club Ipswich licensed?
- Yes. The Collar Club Ipswich is licensed by Ipswich Borough Council (licence no. AWL0005) for home boarding and day care, which means the home, care standards and welfare arrangements are inspected and approved by the council.
- Where will my dog sleep?
- Indoors, in the warmth of the house — never in a kennel, run or outbuilding. Your dogs normal sleeping routines will be followed during their stay with us. A real home form home experience.
- How do I book?
- Start with an availability enquiry through our contact page, telling us your dates and a little about your dog. If we can accommodate your requested dates, we will arrange a quick phone chat, which if successful a meet and greet can be booked in
- What should my dog bring?
- Their usual food, lead, collar including ID tag and anything that smells of home. If your dog has a bed they sleep in, then bring that too. Vaccination records will need to be seen prior to any board. Medication if required.
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