Yes. We have undergone a full inspection and are proud to have achieved the new "‘higher standard’ with a rating of four stars, in accordance with the Department for Environment Food & Rural Affairs Guidance notes for conditions for providing daycare for dogs (October 2018).

Dog Stories is licensed to provide dog daycare and dog home boarding in London by Runnymede Council. We are listed on the public register for Animal Activities Licensing. Our licence number is 026853.

Dog Stories is also a member of the Pet Industry Federation, and the International Boarding and Pet Services Association.

Yes. Dog Stories has public liability and professional pet carers' insurance. Our insurance covers public liability, daycare, boarding, training, custody, control and transportation of your dog, and loss of your keys.

We currently offer our dog chauffeur service to and from our dog daycare centre in:

• Balham SW12

• Barnes SW13

• Chelsea SW10

• Chertsey KT15

• East Molesey

• East Sheen SW14

• Egham

• Esher

• Fulham SW6

• Hammersmith W6

• Hampton

• Kensington W6

• Kingston KT1

• New Malden

• Old Windsor

• North Sheen TW10

• Putney SW15

• Richmond KT2

• Roehampton SW15

• Staines TW18

• Sunbury

• Sunningdale

• Surbiton

• Teddington

• Twickenham

• Virginia Water

• Walton-on-Thames

• Wandsworth SW18

• Wimbledon SW19

We have crates of all sizes to suit different dogs. We ensure that your dog is comfortable in our 'doggy school bus' and take the extra time to acclimatise them, if this is necessary, to ensure that they are comfortable, confident, and happy travelling with us. We never have more than one dog in a crate, so your dog will always feel safe in his own space during the journey to and from its day out.

Most dogs are thrilled about getting into the van as they associate it with an enjoyable day spent playing with their friends. If you have specific concerns about putting your dog in a crate, please do get in touch.

Part of our vision for Dog Stories is to provide daycare services for ‘dogs who can’t go to daycare’ elsewhere for reasons including anxiety, lack of socialisation, or behavioural issues.

We have therefore designed our facility to provide separate areas for dogs who are not yet ready to be with our other canine clients. This special welcome area provides an environment for us get to know your dog and work with them in their own safe and secure environment while they acclimatise themselves to their surroundings and the other dogs.

Every dog coming to our daycare centre for the first time is taken through our temperament test and new doggy client procedure on their first day. This approach is designed to ensure the wellbeing of all of the pets in our care. As part of his or her induction to daycare, we will analyse your dog’s temperament and response to various stimuli upon arrival, in our safe and secure welcome area, away from other dogs.

We then slowly introduce individual dogs to the new canine client and monitor their response, introducing additional dogs at their own pace. Whether it takes a couple of hours, days or even weeks, your dog will only be put in a field to play with other doggy companions once he or she and we can be confident that they will all respond positively.

If you are worried that your dog would need extra support to settle in, please contact us to discuss how we can help.

Yes. All of our staff are DBS checked.