About Buttermere Boarding
Buttermere Boarding
We're Shannon and Ryan, and we run Buttermere Boarding from our home in Heywood. We only board one booking at a time: either one dog on their own, or multiple dogs if they already live together in the same household. We do not mix dogs from unrelated families. Because this is our family home, we only accept dogs with no history of biting, aggression or resource guarding, and dogs must already be familiar and comfortable around children.
Why choose us
Calm, one-household care
Some dogs settle best with human company and a quieter home. We welcome one dog, or dogs who already live together, so your dog does not share our home with unfamiliar boarding dogs.
Daily Walks & Enrichment
Regular outdoor exercise and playtime in nearby parks and countryside. We make sure your dog has enough enrichment and mental stimulation to keep them happy.
Family-Home Suitability
We have a young child, and small children may visit our home. We only accept dogs that are already familiar and comfortable around children, with no history of biting, aggression or resource guarding.
Petplan Sanctuary Insured
Buttermere Boarding is insured with Petplan Sanctuary, a specialist pet business insurer.
Licensed & Inspected
We are licensed and inspected by Rochdale Council and follow the conditions of our home-boarding licence.
Veterinary arrangements
We are registered with Wendy Lane Vets and ask for your usual vet and emergency contact details during registration. If your dog needs veterinary attention during a stay, we will contact you wherever possible and arrange appropriate veterinary care.
How a first booking works
Meet & Greet (Optional)
New clients are welcome to schedule an optional meet & greet at our home, where your dog can explore the space and get to know us in a calm, friendly atmosphere before their first stay.
Registration
Once you’re ready to proceed, you’ll complete detailed registration forms covering your dog’s medical history, feeding preferences, and personality traits. This helps us tailor our care to your dog’s individual needs.
Trial Night (Mandatory)
Every new dog must complete a paid £35 one-night trial stay. This helps us see how your dog settles and whether our home is suitable before a longer stay.
Repeat bookings
Once your dog has completed the initial process, booking with us again is quick and simple. Just message us on WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, or contact us through our website with your preferred dates. As long as we have your dog's up-to-date vaccination certificate on file, we'll reserve the dates for you if they're available.
Life at Buttermere Boarding
FAQ
Do you accept puppies, senior dogs or dogs with additional needs?
We consider every dog individually. Puppies must be fully vaccinated, toilet trained and able to settle safely in our family home. Senior dogs and dogs with additional needs may be suitable where we can safely manage their routine, mobility, medication and care. Every dog must be comfortable around children, have no history of biting, aggression or resource guarding, and complete registration and a trial night before a longer stay.
My dog is healthy, why do they need to be vaccinated?
Up-to-date vaccinations are required by our home-boarding licence. They also help protect your dog and other dogs they may encounter from serious infectious diseases. We will ask for a current vaccination record during registration.
What dogs are not suitable for boarding here?
Because this is our family home, we cannot accept dogs with any history of biting, aggression or resource guarding. We also only accept dogs that are already familiar and comfortable around children. We take safety precautions and never leave dogs and children unsupervised, but suitability has to come first.
Where will my dog sleep?
Please bring your dog's bed and make sure they are comfortable sleeping on it downstairs at night. A familiar bed can help them feel secure and settled during their stay. If your dog usually sleeps on your bed or cannot settle downstairs, please tell us before booking so we can discuss whether our home is suitable.
What areas do you serve?
We're based in Heywood and welcome dogs from Heywood and the surrounding areas including Rochdale, Middleton, Bury, Oldham, and nearby Greater Manchester communities.
How far in advance should I book?
Because we board one dog at a time, or same-household dogs only, spaces are limited. To avoid missing out, it is best to ask as soon as you have dates planned. We will still need to confirm suitability before a booking is agreed.
Why do you require a trial night and how do you assess it?
Before longer stays, we require a paid trial night at the standard nightly rate. It helps us see how your dog settles into our home environment, where they are comfortable sleeping, how they respond to the routine, and whether the stay is suitable before a longer booking in a family home.