The Pet Boarding Thread - Recommendations and Advice. NO ADS IN HERE

Here's a place to enter your various tierheim(en)? Also pet sitters and boarders.

To start with, petfinder.ch has a useful search mechanism

http://www.petfinder.ch/tierpension

Edited to Add:
I've posted the general list here because our specific experiences might not cover all the areas of Switzerland, and I wanted to provide a resource that anyone can use. If you're new to Switzerland and don't know where to start searching, especially if you live in one of the Kantons not covered in our comments, then at least you have somewhere to search.

[Snowbear]

Kitty boarding in Vaud:

Chat l'Heureux
Mme Elisa Ryter
CFC de gardienne d'animaux
1059 Peney-le-Jorat
tél. 021 903 46 64 / fax 021 903 29 12
http://www.chatlheureux.ch/

(French only, I think, but experience with international clients)

Experience:

Mrs Ryter is a lovely, warm person who is used to handling all sorts of cats - breeds and temperaments hold no mysteries for her! The cats stay in their crates for an hour or so after arrival inside the main cattery, in order to calm down and get used to their new surroundings. Cleanliness is impeccable. The main cattery is a large space with floor-to-ceiling windows and an enormous climbing system with lots of tunnels and platforms where the cats can find a comfortable spot or an observation post. There is permanent access to an enclosed outdoor space, also with climbing apparatus. The cattery is in very pretty countryside.

All male cats have to be castrated, but females do not. There are other conditions (vaccinations, flea dip, etc.) which you can consult on the website. The cattery will take care of any meds the cats need, plus some special feeding requirements, and generally go out of their way to ensure the cats are happy, well-fed and entertained.

My cat had a very hard time with separation anxiety the first time she went, and refused to eat. Mrs Ryter called me on holiday, concerned about what to do. I suggested (a little embarrassed) that a cooked fish would probably work - she did it! She actually cooked a dinner for my kitty herself and was so happy to see her eating again that she called me back with the good news.

Book well in advance - the place is understandably popular.

[Mrs. Doolittle]

Kennel - Aargau

http://www.tierferienheim.com/

Hägelen 120, 5467 Fisibach (bei Kaiserstuhl)
044 858 3676
Opening Hours: Monday through Saturday 9:00 - 11:00 and
16:00 - 18:00
Closed on Sundays.

[summerrain]

Just a thought: if its possible for those who have boarded their pets there to give a little review of the places? I can personally google for these addresses myself but it will be nice to read feedback for reassurance, especially leaving our beloved pets in a complete stranger's hands

[Mrs. Doolittle]

	Quote:	summerrain
	Just a thought: if its possible for those who have boarded their pets there to give a little review of the places? I can personally google for these addresses myself but it will be nice to read feedback for reassurance, especially leaving our beloved pets in a complete stranger's hands

I only post what I recommend personally. I have received a lot of private emails from people who have read my post in which I reviewed kennels in the Baden/Brugg region. I always suggest someone should visit a kennel personally to make their own decision. For example, most kennels do not walk dogs. I am fine with this but I know others aren't.

Bern

Tierferienheim Belp
Familie Bornhauser
Fahrhubel 341 CH 3123 Belp
+41 (0) 31 819 44 40
www.tierferienheim-belp.ch
tierferienheim_belp@bluewin.ch

Hours M-F 8-12/14-18:30
Sat 8-12/14-17
Closed Sundays and Holidays

Located right off the A6 at the Rubigen-Belp exit. So really convenient if you have a car, especially if you're south of Bern.

They handle dogs, cats and small animals - I've seen people bring in guinea pigs.

People who work there are really nice, kind to the animals and speak minimal English. If you can speak minimal German and wave your hands, it will be fine. The dogs get time in an exercise yard. If your dog needs to stay alone, he or she will. It's obviously a kennel, not a house, so it's not plush, but it's spotless and well heated in the winter. My dog is difficult, but they're used to her and I feel safe leaving her there. She's stayed as long as almost 3 weeks and come back to us pretty much the way we left her.

They also check medical records - vaccinations and so forth - carefully. I like them a lot, and hope I can find some place similar when we move next year.

[PlantHead]

Animal Care in Dubendorf
http://www.animal-care-8600.ch/

The women who runs it is a star and my dog is in the video on the website chasing after stuff.
She charges 26chf a day including breakfast, if you want to board your dog over night I think it is an extra 5chf.

It isn't a traditional kennels, the dogs stay in a barn next to her house and have their own beds, chairs etc. They get walked twice a day.

I can't recommend it more highly.

[Gato]

I would agree with an earlier commentator. It would be really helpful if a personal review could be given. Am looking for a few days care for my cat and naturally, am very apprehensive about leaving her with complete strangers. Any up to date hints and tips on suitable places for cat boarding in the Basel area would be greatly appreciated.

[dangermouse1]

	Quote:	summerrain
	Just a thought: if its possible for those who have boarded their pets there to give a little review of the places? I can personally google for these addresses myself but it will be nice to read feedback for reassurance, especially leaving our beloved pets in a complete stranger's hands

Hi, Please find the details below of the Chatterie I used in Martigny 2 months ago. They have a large room with plenty of beds and dry food all day (needless to say my cat was thinner on exit than entrance). There is an outside area that is caged off that is fine. I paid 13 chf per day for my cat. An honest review would be that fine for cats, but not as good as UK places. I would not leave my dog there as there are too many big barking
dogs around. I believe that with your dog, you need friends or cancel your holiday, or even better take a holiday with your dog

CHENIL CHATTERIE D OCTODURE, VALÉRIE ECOEUR

• Les Petits-Chantons 4
  1920 MARTIGNY , WALLIS
  
  Telefon : 027 722 90 05
  GEO : 46.122265 , 7.085533

[annast]

I just wanted to provide a review of Hunde-Lande in Eptingen [about 40 mins from Basel]. If you have a dog who likes to be with other dogs [as mine definitely does!] this is a magical place! I cannot say enough about the property or the people. I looked at several other 'tierferien' places and most smelled, looked and sounded like a dog pound. Horrible. This place has a 2-story house for the dogs where the sleep and can hang out in the daytime. There's a large shadey courtyard with kiddy pools and buckets of water for them to splash around in. But the kicker is the LAND - acre upon acre of beautiful hillsides right out of the Sound of Music - all fenced in with ponds and an agility course of sorts. My dog actually 'acted out' when I took her home, as if I wasn't providing enough play [dug all the plants and flowers out of my flower box]. But when I brought her back, she lept from car, ran to the door of the office and started scratching to get in. Nothing could have made me happier. I HIGHLY recommend this place. Website www.hunde-land.ch

[kaasis]

I would recommend against Home-Butler in Zurich.
They propose to come to your home and care about your cat/walk your dog/water your plants etc.

They actually forgot to come. Pet was 3 days without food ...

And it's not like we didn't carefully examine the dates together, made a clear contract, and emailed for confirmation !

[transatlantic]

	Quote:	Mrs. Doolittle
	Kennel - Aargau http://www.tierferienheim.com/ Hägelen 120, 5467 Fisibach (bei Kaiserstuhl) 044 858 3676 Opening Hours: Monday through Saturday 9:00 - 11:00 and 16:00 - 18:00 Closed on Sundays.

DO you happen to have the lady's e-mail address? Thanks!

[flacaflaca]

I recommend Hunde Land (www.hunde-land.ch) near Basel.

The manager speaks fluent English and Spanish (and of course German -- and perhaps some other languages). They are expensive and you must have a car to get up there (50 minutes door to door from our place in Riehen), but it's a very cool place.

They require a test stay before any long stays to make sure the dogs are temperamentally suited for their method (the dogs stay in a pack that's supervised by a human 24/7), and will show you videos and pictures of the dogs so you can see for yourself how they did. This last thing is of course a great sales pitch to make you want to pay their big fees, but it was a wonderful thing to see my doggies sleeping comfortably and playing with the other dogs.

[bigblue2]

http://www.tierferienheim-stetten.ch

near baden. speaks english. the mrs works there

[NomadicCreature]

	Quote:	Mrs. Doolittle
	Kennel - Aargau http://www.tierferienheim.com/ Hägelen 120, 5467 Fisibach (bei Kaiserstuhl) 044 858 3676 Opening Hours: Monday through Saturday 9:00 - 11:00 and 16:00 - 18:00 Closed on Sundays.

Because it looked nice on the web - I thought it would be a good place to leave my dog there for 2 weeks. Of course I needed her to approve, and decided to let her spend one night and then I will see how it was for her.

I took her there and they didn't check the pet passport to see if she had her vaccinations or anything, just put her in a tiled cell and shut the door.
I asked how often she gets to go out, they said they would let her outdoors twice a day, adding up to one hour, but of course not today as it is raining...
I wondered if I am oversensitive about my dog and decided to leave her there. Before getting to Zurich I turned around and drove back. As they are closed for a really long lunch I had to wait.
My dog was very relieved to see me and was pulling towards the car like never before.

I ABSOLUTELY HATE THE PLACE

But now I had a problem - dogless vacation coming up without a good vacation home for my dog. At that point I had made up my mind to never book another vacation without my dog.
Dogs are for life and all that...

But then...

I found the pet hotel. A wonderful, loving, 200% animal oriented woman named Nusta Trachsel who runs exactly that, a hotel for pets. She does not accept too many animals, they live with the family. She will want to take your dog for one day with you picking her up in the evening and another time when the dog spends the night!
You will need to make an appointment and keep it, be on time, because she will need to be there to introduce your dog to the pack. She will take them for long walks, if your dog can't walk too long she has a cart that the stronger dogs can pull. in the summer they go to the lake to swim.
My dog absolutely loves it she has been there for 10 days twice and I will take her there sometimes just as a treat.

I was uncertain if I should post this, as I always want a space for my dog to be available, but then Nusta is so wonderful with my dog, all dogs should have the same vacation. It is about 45 minutes drive by car and not easy to get to by public transport, but I would drive all day to allow my dog to be there.

Here is the adress:

pet-hotel.ch

[tititita]

	Quote:	NomadicCreature
	Because it looked nice on the web - I thought it would be a good place to leave my dog there for 2 weeks. Of course I needed her to approve, and decided to let her spend one night and then I will see how it was for her. I took her there and they didn't check the pet passport to see if she had her vaccinations or anything, just put her in a tiled cell and shut the door. I asked how often she gets to go out, they said they would let her outdoors twice a day, adding up to one hour, but of course not today as it is raining... I wondered if I am oversensitive about my dog and decided to leave her there. Before getting to Zurich I turned around and drove back. As they are closed for a really long lunch I had to wait. My dog was very relieved to see me and was pulling towards the car like never before. I ABSOLUTELY HATE THE PLACE But now I had a problem - dogless vacation coming up without a good vacation home for my dog. At that point I had made up my mind to never book another vacation without my dog. Dogs are for life and all that... But then... I found the pet hotel. A wonderful, loving, 200% animal oriented woman named Nusta Trachsel who runs exactly that, a hotel for pets. She does not accept too many animals, they live with the family. She will want to take your dog for one day with you picking her up in the evening and another time when the dog spends the night! You will need to make an appointment and keep it, be on time, because she will need to be there to introduce your dog to the pack. She will take them for long walks, if your dog can't walk too long she has a cart that the stronger dogs can pull. in the summer they go to the lake to swim. My dog absolutely loves it she has been there for 10 days twice and I will take her there sometimes just as a treat. I was uncertain if I should post this, as I always want a space for my dog to be available, but then Nusta is so wonderful with my dog, all dogs should have the same vacation. It is about 45 minutes drive by car and not easy to get to by public transport, but I would drive all day to allow my dog to be there. Here is the adress: pet-hotel.ch

Hi,
me too i hate this Fisibach place we did go there last year brcause the place we go didn t have anymore place.
First thing when we got in at the entrance it smell urine,too me the place should be super clean and September is not that hot so it shoudn t smell urine in the morning.
Also she did put our Young Lab in a cell,and when we came back our older cat who is such a friendly cat didn t even look at us and he look miserable in this big room,the dog also was not right and she was 10 months at the time,she came back and the trainer told me she probably got kick.
I will never go back to this place.
I had alway s good experiences at the tierheim Helena Frey in Rumlang and at the Pet Hotel a little pricey the Pet Hotel but the dogs go on walk.

[bbcenter]

I am also looking for boarding for my toy poodle. I live in Gilly. Any recommendations?

[ExpatAdventures]

TIERHEIM TO AVOID!

I would say after my experience NEVER leave your animal here.
Terrible, dirty, chaotic, poorly run place. Rude staff, overcrowded facility.

I dropped off a healthy, clean dog and picked up a filthy dirty dog who could barely walk (wasn't even able to get in the car).

They acted like this was totally normal. It cost me a fortune.

Tierheim Tierpension Strubeli
Stiftung Tierschutz
Büelstr. 12
CH-8604 Hegnau / Volketswil ZH

[trailingfidanzata]

Recommendation for a kennels/cattery in Ticino (Novazzano/Balerna) - we have only used the cattery side of things though.

Cats are in a separate area from the dogs (no noise etc) and conditions are good with a radio on all day for company.

http://www.mulinoprudenza.com/

Anyone in and around Winterthur willing to share a recommendation? We're moving there in January. Thanks.