Barking Mad Cotswolds

We found Barking Mad after we realised that our 13-month old cockerpoo Paddy had been unhappy and very unsettled during a short stay in kennels.From start to finish the Barking Mad experience was excellent, and so well thought out. Alun came to our home and took time to meet Paddy and understand his routine and needs, and managed at short notice to find a perfect match for our energetic, playful and affectionate dog. An update with a picture to show us that he had settled in with his host Sharon, and the knowledge that Alun would be in touch should there be any problems meant that we were able to really relax and enjoy our holiday relatively guilt-free.Welcoming home Paddy was fantastic - he bounded in to our home a very happy boy indeed, accompanied by a hand-written postcard from Sharon telling us all his holiday news.Thank you Alun and host Sharon for giving us all a great holiday - and we look forward to the next one!

We have been using Barking Mad for almost two years and are very pleased with the service provided. Flora is always happy to see either Alun or Rosie when they collect her. We are reassured by the communication about her care and appreciate updates whilst we are away and would not hesitate to recommend Barking Mad to other dog owners.

I have been a host for Barking Mad for over a year now - I love looking after such a variety of dogs. All of them have been so well behaved and are a credit to their owners.All the dogs I have had have been on a trial with either Alun or an experienced host so I know every dog I get is going to be a pleasure to have around the house.I would love my own dog but I'm afraid they are too much of a tie right now so hosting means I get a dog when it suits me and of course I spoil them rotten for their holiday :)

We are quite new to Barking Mad but everything about this service has been fantastic so far. Alun was very thorough with taking all the details of our elderly Staffie Peanut, not even flinching at her likes and dislikes! It's always a bit of a worry leaving your dog with a new sitter for the first time, but with Barking Mad everything is very well organised and you are left with no worries at all. The system of collecting and returning your dog is great, less stress for everyone. We received a picture of Peanut while she was away to show how she was getting on and a postcard report when she returned. We have no doubts that she was very well cared for and all her usual routines continued while she was away. Peanut has a couple of stays booked over the next couple of months and we look forward to using Barking Mad again in the future.

Our dog loves Alun and trots off with him as happy as can be. We feel confident that he is in the safest hands and that is so reassuring when you are holidaying abroad. This year he is returning to the same host family as before so we can relax knowing that he will be well cared for and will enjoy his holiday too!

Alun & his hosts have been absolutely fantastic with our 5 lb Chihuahua, Cooper. As most dog lovers could imagine, we were quite reluctant to leave him even with family, however after meeting Alun several times for test runs leading up to our big holiday, he put our minds and hearts at rest. Travelling across the Atlantic several times per year as well as taking other short family holidays abroad has always been our norm, however since getting our puppy 17 months ago, we had to change with way we lived, until meeting Alun. The trust and care which Alun and his hosts have built with our family has only strengthened the fact that we would not leave Cooper with anyone else except for Barking Mad. The great care Alun's hosts give to Cooper is even better than leaving him with family. Cooper gets regular walks, sleeps in his hosts beds and has the most amazing holiday when staying in the Cotswolds with Alun's team. Copper comes back to us as a well adjusted and very happy little dog. Wonderful Company, Wonderful Service, an all around great experience for our very much loved Cooper and for us. Thank you Alun for allowing our family to travel again.

We have been using Barking Mad for many years now and always find Alun courteous and on time ,our dog Roxy even sits by the window waiting and runs to get in the car ready to go on her holiday,and we are totally relaxed as we know she is in safe and caring hands..We also get text and pictures confirming she is ok,and a nice postcard on return telling us about her holiday.Having used Alun on multiple occasions over the last 3 years,we can highly recommend Barking Mad and would not dream of going anywhere else.

Our Lucas Terrier Stanley has now had three holidays with Barking Mad and all have been very happy experiences.Everything is extremely well organised - Alun arranges the pick-up and return with great efficiency and no fuss.For the dogs it is a great comfort that all their essential equipment - food, bedding, grooming tools and , crucially, toys go with them to ensure minimum disruption to their routine.For the owners it is a joy to receive a text or e/mail from Alun the following day - often containing a reassuring photo - telling how well your cherished pet has settled. For me that is a guarantee of a happy, relaxed holiday! Stanley arrived home in fine fettle, completely unfazed by the whole experience.I would recommend the Barking Mad service to anyone. And indeed I have!

Our dog, Uno (a Jack Russel) was I believe, Alun's first customer, and given therefore how satisfied my wife and I (and indeed Uno) have beed with both the excellent service provided by Alun, and the care and attention given to Uno (who much like most Jack Russel's) is quite highly strung, by his hosts, we have been loyal customers of Uno and Barking Mad!