KEEPERS COTTAGE, HISTORY AND DEVELOPMENT

The grooming centre is a ceramic tiled room with electrical safety switches, within it is a tiled walk-in bath which houses a thermostatically controlled shower. Specialist shampoos are used according to the dogs needs, An electric table elevates the dogs for drying, thus eliminating lifting by the staff and distress to the dog. The dryers are professional and blast the water out of the coat first, then can be switched to a dryer, this makes the drying time twice as quick. A cooling fan is used in hot weather to cool the room and the dog. All grooming equipment, (scissors, clipper blades, rakes, etc) are sterilised and cleaned each time they are used.

The Hydro pool is located in the paddock near to the cattery in a wooden building, which stands on patio slabs. The pool itself is constructed in polypropylene  and measures 10 feet long, 4 feet wide and 4 feet deep. It contains 1,200 gallons of water that is cleaned by a filter system. The water is heated and anti-swim jets are at one end, the power of the jets can be adjusted according to the dogs needs. The concept is designed to assist and medically help injured dogs as well as the fully fit animal exercising to maintain peak performance, five minutes in the pool has been found to be equivalent to a five mile walk or 500 metre gallop, without the danger of injury. As well as the pool a grooming table and drying facility is provided.

Methods of controlling disease include the policy that all dogs and cats must have a current up to date vaccination certificate. For dogs the kennel cough vaccine is also recommended. The rescue dogs are looked after by the same person each day, they then cannot come into contact with the boarded dogs to avoid any possible infection. A manufactured parvoside called Trigene is used for disinfection against parvo-virus and any other contagious disease. Domestos is used for general cleaning in a correctly mixed solution. The kennels and cattery are also cleaned with an Odogene solution to eliminate odour.

There is a separate isolation kennels for the dogs, which has sealed walls and a ceramic tiled floor, also its own drainage and is separate from all the other kennels. Likewise the cats have a separate isolation chalet that again provides complete isolation from other cats or the risk of infection.

All the staff are provided with a uniform, of which they are expected to wash daily to risk the spread of infection, personal hygiene is also expected to be maintained at a high standard.

Other relevant environmental issues concern the correct disposal of waste, a septic tank is used and emptied every 6 month, also the cat litter is bagged separately and disposed of by the council for the kennels. All soiled water drains into the mains drainage.

Of great importance is the environmental issue of noise pollution, in consideration of neighbours, a large amount of money has been spent on sound proofing the kennels. Hours are strictly adhered to and kennel management monitored. The business has drawn up a noise minimisation procedure that is issued and discussed with everyone working at the kennels, The business works closely with the council noise pollution officer to reduce as much as is reasonably practical the noise from the kennels environment.

As an Employer, I encourage youngsters from Schools and Colleges on work experience, day release, block release, and placements, also being positive about employing disabled people, and taking people from Careers Wales, Rathbone, The Princes Trust and supporting The Duke of Edinburgh's Award Scheme. All work experience are asked to do the same duties as myself and my staff, here we all work as The Keepers Cottage Centre Team, where the care of your dog (cat) is our reputation.

In the eighth year of the business, a home has been provided for live-in staff, it accommodated a lounge, dining area, 2 bedrooms, kitchen and shower room/toilet. The building is surrounded by a patio and decorative green fencing, and situated adjacent to the river, in the paddock area. Staff have complete privacy as it cannot be seen from the main house.

Our latest venture

Continuing our expansion and diversification, we can now offer:

Dog Training, from obedience to behavioural problems, INCLUDING (Residential Training).

Teaching to sit

If you would like your pet to be cared for in one of the UK'S leading Animal centres, we aim to provide a high quality comprehensive animal care service for pets and owners.

Teaching to heel

The residential dog training program achieves success rates of approximately 98% and usually in 3 weeks.

This is because proven training techniques are used based on repetition consistency and reward. Harsh training methods are not used.

Teaching the sit - stay command

As well as training the dog, you are taught (on a one to one basis) how to handle your dog and how to continue back home.

Teaching the recall

At the end of the course you will be given a demonstration, then its your turn to put it into practice. The trainer will be with you, encouraging, guiding and giving hints on how it should be done.

Dog distraction

For information ring 01495 775177
EMAIL:- linjorretrievers@aol.com