• Ireland
  • |
    Cara avatar

    “Where dogs feel at home, loved & free to roam”

    Cara

    Castlecomer, Kilkenny
    16 Repeat guests
    100 Bookings
    38 Reviews
    291 photos
    see all
    291 photos
    see all
    Response rate
    94%

    About Cara

    Welcome to The Doghouse Boarding and Daycare, we offer a genuine home away from home experience for your beloved canine companions. Unlike traditional kennel setups, we open our doors and hearts to your dogs, welcoming them into our family environment. Here, dogs roam freely, enjoying the company of their furry friends and human caregivers alike. Before your dog's stay, it is necessary to schedule a trial or to book in for one day of daycare to ensure they are well-suited to our environment and can be content here. Our goal is to provide a comfortable, stress-free experience for both you and your furry friend. You will receive photo and video updates on our Instagram account throughout their stay. @thedoghouseatcosycottage Safety and well-being are our top priorities. All dogs must be up-to-date on vaccinations, including the kennel cough vaccine, to ensure a healthy environment for everyone. The kennel cough vaccine must have been administered at least two weeks prior to the trial. We also require flea treatment prior to arrival, as all dogs have full access to every part of our home. We recommend to bring your doggy’s usual food for their main meals as a big change in diet can give them an upset tummy. I provide treats and snacks throughout the day, all natural, healthy foods. Experience the difference at The Doghouse Boarding and Daycare – where every dog is treated like family. 
Myself and my two daughters, Keelin (16) and Aoibheann (14) and a delightful array of animal companions ensure that your dog is treated with all the love, care, and attention they deserve. Here, your dog won't feel like a guest; they'll feel like one of the family. We provide a secure and enjoyable environment where your dog can frolic, play, and explore to their heart's content. Your doggy can make new friends here, including our charming goats, Margaret & Billy, our black sheep, Chris, two friendly pigs, Matilda and Madeline, our feline friend, Frank, and even our clucking companions, the chickens. We understand that your dog is not just a pet but a cherished member of your family, and we're committed to giving them the best home-away-from-home experience possible. All dogs will sleep indoors unless they would prefer to sleep outside. I have had dogs all my life, breeds from terriers, pugs to Labradors and Rottweilers. The majority of my pets have been rescued, so I have experienced many variations of temperaments and anxiety issues. All dogs need patience and understanding to ensure they feel safe and loved in their environment. I will always listen to your dogs needs and provide what they need to feel happy and safe. My cosy cottage nestled in the picturesque Kilkenny countryside, just a mile outside the charming town of Castlecomer. I have a secure back garden leading into my cottage and also my converted garage that I call “The Doghouse”. Your dog gets to explore all area and settle wherever they please. I also have a large meadow where we go for our walks a number of times a day. Please note all doggies, male and female, over the age of one must be neutered due to the genuine home from home environment. For the convenience of all our customers we don't have a set arrival or collection time. We just require that a time is arranged with us at least 24 hours prior to arrival and collection, to ensure there are no clashes with other arrivals or trials. Upon arrival, please wait at the front gate, use the bell or text 087 7725268 and I will be out to greet you. * Bookings will only be confirmed after the completion of a successful trial.

    Cara's dogs

    Willow avatar
    Willow
    Labrador Retriever·Size L·4 Years, 3 Months
    Bainne avatar
    Bainne
    Labrador Retriever, mix·Size L·2 Years
    Todd avatar
    Todd
    Labrador Retriever, mix·Size L·2 Years

    Cara's home

    Total size of outdoor area: 4000 m²

    Garden

    More details

    I have previous experience of walking dogs
    I have previous experience of boarding dogs
    I can provide references upon request
    I own a car suitable for transporting dogs
    I can administer oral medication
    I have children at home

    Services and fees

    Veterinary coverage & 24/7 phone support included

    Dog boarding

    Overnight in the dog sitter's home
    €25
    Public holiday rate
    €27
    Puppy rate
    €28
    Extra dog rate
    €25
    I accept dogs of all sizes
    Including puppies

    Dog day care

    During the day in the dog sitter's home
    €14
    Public holiday rate
    €16
    Puppy rate
    €18
    Extra dog rate
    €14
    I accept dogs of all sizes
    Including puppies

    Availability

    August 2025

    Mo
    Tu
    We
    Th
    Fr
    Sa
    Su
    1
    2
    3
    4
    5
    6
    7
    8
    9
    10
    11
    12
    13
    14
    15
    16
    17
    18
    19
    20
    21
    22
    23
    24
    25
    26
    27
    28
    29
    30
    31
    Available
    Reserved
    Unavailable
    Availability updated 22 days ago

    Location

    38 reviews

    Fantastic service on my doorstep. Cara genuinely loves any creature that comes through her gates. It really was a home from home for Missy. She can't wait to go back and we have no hesitation in sending her back to Cara again.

    Cara was absolutely fantastic, our dogs were delighted with their stay, they had so much fun, we loved the photo updates, they slept solidly for about 2 days afterwards 😄 I would be very happy for Cara to mind our dogs anytime.

    We couldn’t have asked for a better dog minder while being away! From the moment we met Cara, she was incredibly welcoming and clearly has a genuine love for dogs. She took such great care of our golden retriever Loki, making sure he was well-fed and comfortable. Cara was even happy to give him his antibiotics without any trouble, which we really appreciated. It gave us so much peace of mind knowing he was in such caring hands. She kept us up to date with pictures and videos the whole time too. We wouldn’t hesitate to book with her again-highly recommend!

    Cara

    Castlecomer, Kilkenny

    Gudog Benefits

    How to make a booking

    Search
    Search your postcode or street address to receive a list of trusted, loving pet sitters in your area.
    Book your dog sitter
    Once you're happy you've found the perfect sitter for your dog, send a booking request!
    Meet & Greet
    Organise a meet & greet to ensure there's a good fit between your dog and sitter.
    Ready, steady… and go!
    Your dog's booking is about to begin! Make sure you provide the sitter with everything that your dog will need: enough food, a comfy bed, the leash, the veterinary card and the favorite toy!

    We use cookies

    Gudog uses cookies and similar technologies to enhance your experience and personalise ads. Some are essential, while others help us analyse traffic and improve our service for you. We may share data, such as unique identifiers, with analytics and advertising partners. For more details, please see our Privacy Policy.