Our Home
Welcome to The Collar Club Ipswich
A real home. Because that's exactly what it is.
A family home, not a boarding kennel
One of the fundamental differences between The Collar Club Ipswich and traditional boarding is that dogs stay within an actual home environment.
There are no kennel blocks, no concrete runs and no institutional routines here. Your dog lives alongside us in a real family home in Ipswich — the same rooms we use, the same garden, and the same gentle rhythm of an ordinary household.
That matters. Dogs read a room the way humans read a hotel lobby. A sofa, a kettle, a closed garden gate and a calm voice are the signals that tell them they are safe. It is why most guests settle quickly: the environment is familiar, even if the faces are new.
Whether your dog is here for boarding or day care, the setting is the same. Explore home boarding, day care or read more about what to expect.
Living areas
The heart of the house is the sitting room — sofas, armchairs, soft light and space for a dog to be near people without being underfoot.
Dogs choose their own spot: stretched out on the rug, curled on a cushion, or watching the garden from the window. The room is used by us throughout the day, so there is always quiet company and never the echo of an empty kennel block.
Resting & sleeping
Quiet, comfortable sleep matters. There are beds and blankets in calm, low-traffic rooms so a tired dog can retreat whenever they need to.
Your dog's own bedding from home is welcome if the familiar smell helps them settle. We follow your normal sleeping routines and where your dog sleeps at home, we will mirror that. We want your dog to be settled when they stay with us, you chose where the sleep.
Secure outdoor space
The garden is fully enclosed so dogs can potter, sniff and sunbathe off-lead in safety. It is not an exercise yard — it is simply the outdoor room of the house.
The garden is fully secure with the lowest fence being 6ft. The garden is also covered by Ring cameras, this include the gate which is locked.
The garden
A proper garden is part of daily life here — morning wanders, afternoon shade, and the occasional zoomie across the grass.
There is lawn to roll on, borders to sniff and sheltered spots for dogs who prefer to watch rather than play. It is used throughout the day as a natural extension of the house.
Walks & local environment
Ipswich sits close to countryside, river paths and quiet lanes. Walks make the most of the local footpaths and green spaces, with leashes used where the route or the dog requires it.
We make the most of having Orwell Country Park on the our doorstep, which includes trips down to the river (which owner permission). We enjoy regular trips to the other amazing parks Ipswich has to offer and as a special treat on the weekends we occasionally visit Sutton Heath. All walks are matched to each dogs temperaments and walking abilities.
Shared home life
Dogs here are part of the household, not a separate unit. They are around for morning coffee, the comings and goings of the day, and quiet evenings.
That familiarity — kettle noises, footsteps, a television on low — is what helps most dogs settle quickly. They are never left in a distant outbuilding or industrial block; they are in the rooms where we actually live.
Small numbers, on purpose
Just five guests
The Collar Club Ipswich accepts a maximum of 5 guest dogs at one time.
Limiting numbers is not a marketing line — it is what makes the home environment personal. With only five guests, every dog is known by name, temperament and preference. There is room on the sofa, space in the garden, and time for individual attention.
It also means the house never feels crowded. Dogs can choose company or quiet, play or rest, without competing for space. For owners, it means their dog is a guest, not a number.
Because personal care shouldn't feel crowded.
Your host
Meet Emily
The person behind The Collar Club Ipswich.
I started The Collar Club Ipswich in September 2023 because I wanted to offer something different from traditional kennels: a warm, safe and genuinely home-from-home place where dogs can feel settled, loved and cared for while their owners are away. As a lifelong dog lover, I know how important it is to leave your dog with someone you trust, which is why every guest is welcomed into our family home and treated as one of our own.
My aim is to make every stay feel familiar and relaxed, with normal routines, proper walks, indoor rest, garden time and plenty of affection. Whether your dog is confident and playful or needs a little extra reassurance, I take the time to understand what helps them feel comfortable, so their holiday feels as close to home as possible.
Trust
Licensed by Ipswich Borough Council
Licence No. AWL0005
The Collar Club Ipswich is licensed by Ipswich Borough Council under licence number AWL0005. That licence covers the home itself, the space available to dogs, our records and our care standards.
We are fully insured for home boarding and day care. You are welcome to see the licence and insurance details when you visit.
Explore further
Come and see it for yourself
Arrange a relaxed meet and greet.