Nicky S.
Landkey Swimbridge
Fully Licensed Homeboarder. Registered Pet Sitter.
Pet care experience
I hold a full North Devon Council Homeboarding/Animal Welfare Licence. Number AWL0112. Rated 4*, the highest rating a new homeboarding home can be awarded. This is a lengthy, strict and legal requirement and inspection for anyone boarding or providing paid daycare for your dog. Even for 1 day. If they don’t have a license, they are breaking the law. I have many years of professional and trained work with animals. And between us, my husband and I have a variety of experience. We have exclusive access to incredible countryside and secure fields. We are both DBS checked. I am fully insured, and qualified in Canine First Aid. My job is for you to go away and fully relax! You’ll know that your pet is in legal, safe & experienced hands. And also having fun and adventures! I work for myself. Freelance and part-time. So can fully fit in around your requirements. I’ve owned and worked with a variety of animals throughout my life… From tigers (yes literally! - rhinos, apes, etc. on wildlife parks) to horses, dogs, exotics, reptiles, livestock, wildlife, cattle, farm animals and birds. I work with and train stunt and film horses. This requires patience, understanding, communication and trust. Highly fearful animals fall into this group. I also have years of experience working in live shows and demos with horses and birds, such as county shows. This can take weeks and months of gentle training. I’ve owned challenging reactive rescue dogs, and looked after a variety of breeds and temperaments. I also help train working dogs such as pointers, to work alongside birds of prey. I have a variety of medical experience around animals. I also own a horse. He’s in a 2 acre field with interesting smells and rabbits! Your dog is welcome to come to the stables with me. We have a secure dog-walking field in our village, for dogs that cannot be off the lead- this is a super place for them to run. I do not fill our house with multiple dogs. Your dog will be the sole focus on my attention. If you have 2, I can take 2. Prices: Rover charges me 15% of any fee on here. E.g. £46 means £39.10 per day. This covers all their insurances & 24 hr emergency helpline, booking system etc. My prices are DISCOUNTED for 2+ days. Rover also charge sitters 15% of pick up/drop off charges: E.g. £16 means £13.60 I would PLEASE ask owners to KEEP TO TIMES ARRANGED. I can be flexible if given plenty of notice. But I have a tight schedule with other animals being picked up or dropped off, plus my own animals. I need to be punctual for you and other owners too. If you’d like me to to stay in your house or you have other animals too, such as a smallholding or livestock, I’ve years of experience of this. ADDITIONAL EXPERIENCE: Farming experience + calves. Experience on smallholdings. Experience of exotic such as snakes & reptiles. Extensive professional experience with horses. Volunteering at vets. Wildlife parks. Birds of prey- training and shows. Live animals in shows and demos (+ significant training of the animal to adapt to new or environments). Stunt and film training horses - plus keeping them and their environment safe.
Reviews
Nicky stepped in to help at very short notice and was absolutely amazing! Beyond helpful and communicated brilliantly with lovely updates as to what Stanley was getting up to. He had such a wonderful time I’m surprised he wanted to come home with me!
Nicky was an amazing sitter for our dog Peaches for the weekend. It was our first time leaving Peaches with someone new but as soon as we met Nicky we automatically felt at ease as did Peaches. Nicky took her out on many adventures and sent us updates of everything they got up to which was great to see. When we picked Peaches up she was really happy and relaxed and clearly had a strong bond with Nicky. We would definitely book with Nicky again! Thanks for everything.
Nicky was wonderful with our 7 month old border collie. We left him with her for a full day whilst we attended a funeral. We were sent lovely photos of them out exploring together and at her home. We didn’t once worry about him during the day, which was a huge blessing to us. She took time for a phone call before the day so I could share some of his requirements which put my mind at ease. He’s still a puppy in training so he’s not an easy gig but Nicky took everything in her stride. When we picked him up, he was happy and content, sparkling clean (despite the wet weather) and she’d packed all our stuff up ready to go. Thank you Nicky!
Nicky was great at looking after our home & Gryff. Easy & efficient to deal with, we had no concerns that Gryff was in safe hands. Came back to a well looked after doggy & house.
About Nicky S.
Communication
Skills
Safety, trust & environment
Our cottage is 500 years old. It’s been thoroughly inspected and vetted by North Devon Council. We have a secure yard and garden. The back door can open so your dog can come and go as it pleases. My husband and I own couple of cats and a small vizsla. But our house splits into 2. Unless I know animals are safe together, everyone will be kept separate, to keep everyone safe! If not, our cats generally live upstairs and in the garden.
Home
Information Nicky S. would like to know about your pet
Please let me know ahead of booking, if your dog displays the following: Fears, anxiety, aggression, chewing items, separation issues, chewing property etc. Homeboarding: 1. Your dog MUST be VACCINATED and DEFLEAED before it arrives. Please provide evidence of this or send a photo ahead of time. 2. For any stays over 3 nights, a trial night is required. Where necessary, a fuel surcharge may be added. This will be discussed with you. I will consider stays that are further away, but I may have to add travel and any extra costs.
A typical day
If your dog has medical issues or is elderly, I’ll personally tailor my time around your wishes for your furry friend. They’ll receive plenty of cuddles and love.
Services
Nicky can host
Nicky can watch in your home
Availability
Following a period of serious illness, I decided to find a way to get outdoors even more, and walk as much as I can. So this began. I live in a rural location: 5 minutes from Exmoor. Near coastal paths etc, extensive woodland, forest and steams nearby - so have abundant free space to exercise! I do actually prefer to housesit. Why?- as, from experience, animals are sometimes more settled in their own environments. You do not need to clean, or prep anything! A bed, towel and wifi are all I need.
About Nicky S.
Communication
Skills
Safety, trust & environment
Our cottage is 500 years old. It’s been thoroughly inspected and vetted by North Devon Council. We have a secure yard and garden. The back door can open so your dog can come and go as it pleases. My husband and I own couple of cats and a small vizsla. But our house splits into 2. Unless I know animals are safe together, everyone will be kept separate, to keep everyone safe! If not, our cats generally live upstairs and in the garden.
Home
Information Nicky S. would like to know about your pet
Please let me know ahead of booking, if your dog displays the following: Fears, anxiety, aggression, chewing items, separation issues, chewing property etc. Homeboarding: 1. Your dog MUST be VACCINATED and DEFLEAED before it arrives. Please provide evidence of this or send a photo ahead of time. 2. For any stays over 3 nights, a trial night is required. Where necessary, a fuel surcharge may be added. This will be discussed with you. I will consider stays that are further away, but I may have to add travel and any extra costs.
A typical day
If your dog has medical issues or is elderly, I’ll personally tailor my time around your wishes for your furry friend. They’ll receive plenty of cuddles and love.
Location
Landkey Swimbridge, United Kingdom
Pets
Nicky S.
Landkey Swimbridge