FAQ's

Yes – Lilly’s Bespoke Boarding is fully licensed by the Isle of Wight Council, and we are proud to hold a 4-star licence, meaning we meet the higher welfare standards set out in the Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (England) Regulations 2018.

We normally board one household of dogs at a time, which helps us keep the environment calm, predictable, and stress-free. However, in exceptional circumstances – for example, if a dog who already knows us needs care unexpectedly – we can accommodate more than one household provided we have written permission from all owners and have assessed that it is safe and appropriate.

In these situations, dogs are housed separately unless all owners have consented to mixing and the dogs have already demonstrated they are compatible and relaxed together.

Our licence is displayed in our home, and our licence number is shown clearly on our website, as required by the regulations. If you’d ever like to know more about how we meet the higher standards, I’m always happy to talk through it.

We specialise in small and senior dogs, and those who may need a little extra care or routine. We welcome gentle, sociable dogs who are happy around other calm dogs and cats. Our service is ideal for dogs who prefer a quiet, homely environment rather than a busy boarding kennel.   I am home all day and do not squeeze in other errands or dog walks around your dog's care.  The care to your dog is exclusive.

Generally - yes.  Our usual approach is to board one household of dogs at a time, as this helps us maintain a calm, relaxed environment – especially for small, senior, or more sensitive guests.

However, in exceptional circumstances (such as a dog who knows us well needing unexpected care), we can take more than one household but only with full, written permission from all owners.

We request explicit consent on our booking forms, and you are very welcome to opt out of this. If you prefer that your dog is the only visiting dog in the home, we will always honour that.

In situations where more than one household is present, dogs are kept separate unless every owner has given consent and we have already assessed that the dogs are safe and comfortable together.

If you have any questions or would like to chat about what works best for your dog, I’m always happy to help.

No, your dog will never be left alone. We’re home throughout the day, and if your dog needs company overnight, we have a bed in the guest room so I can sleep nearby to keep them settled. 

Yes absolutely. We’re experienced with managing medication schedules, special diets, and unique routines. Everything we do is guided by your instructions so your dog’s care feels seamless and familiar. 

That’s completely fine. Many of our guests haven’t stayed away before, so we take things slowly. We’ll arrange a meet and greet before any stay to help your dog (and you!) feel comfortable and confident. We also offer trial days and nights for extra re-assurance.  Please note that if your dog is booked in to stay for 4 nights or more, it is part of the Higher Welfare licensing conditions that they come for a trial night prior to their stay.

You can start by completing our Client Application Form. This helps us learn about your dog’s needs and personality. Submitting the form doesn’t confirm a booking, but it allows us to prepare and contact you as soon as our licence is approved. 

Because every dog has different needs, we prefer to provide a personalised quote once we’ve learned a little about your dog and their routine. Our prices reflect the level of care and attention each guest receives, and we’ll always be upfront and transparent about costs.

If you’d like an estimate, just get in touch or fill in our Client Application Form, and we’ll be happy to discuss what’s right for you.

Please also look at our pricing summary page

Yes, we do - with a little flexibility. Our short stays can normally be booked up to 4 weeks in advance, as we must prioritise longer holidays first.  Because we only ever welcome one family at a time, a single-night stay often means we can’t accept a week-long booking for those same dates. 

We know that sometimes a night away can mean the world - a family celebration, a special occasion, or simply a much-needed rest. If you’re someone who finds it hard to leave your dog, we completely understand. Because we only ever host one household at a time, we’ll always consider short stays on a case-by-case basis for families who need that extra bit of support.

Please get in touch and tell us a little about your situation - we’ll do our very best to help.