A day in the life of Mac, boarding at Ferne Animal Sanctuary

When Chris and his family planned a weekend away, they wanted somewhere safe, caring, and genuinely animal-focused for their seven-year-old Border Collie Labrador cross, Mac.

They chose Ferne Animal Sanctuary — and as Chris put it: “We chose Ferne because it felt like a charity that focuses on rehoming vulnerable animals must know how to settle in a pet who’s never visited them before.”

So, what does a stay at Ferne look like for a friendly dog like Mac?

“When Mac arrived, his family told us all about him to help us make his stay as comfortable as possible,” says Nikki Haddock, Animal Care Manager at Ferne Animal Sanctuary. “We quickly found out Mac is a gentle soul with the best traits of both breeds rolled into one. He’s a larger dog with a laid-back temperament, but he was a little nervous when he arrived. His family told us he’s happiest pottering around or relaxing near his favourite humans, which helped us plan how to help him settle in gently and build trust at his own pace.”

Settling In with familiar comforts

Mac’s holiday at Ferne started with a thoughtful settling-in process designed to ease any nerves. Ahead of his visit, we asked Chris to bring along Mac’s favourite blanket, a well-loved squeaky toy, and his usual food — all familiar comforts that smelled like home to help reduce Mac’s stress levels.

While Chris chatted with the Ferne team, Mac was gently introduced to the staff with a calming hands-on health check. Having his family close during this first hello helped Mac feel reassured and showed him these new faces were friends, not strangers.

A calming environment for happy guests

Once Mac was shown to his kennel, the team made sure he felt right at home. A Pet Remedy diffuser filled the air with calming scents, soothing any first-night jitters.

Mac was very nervous about his new settings, needing a lot of human contact to settle his nerves. After a while, he was off on his first adventure — stretching his legs on a peaceful walk around the sanctuary grounds and exploring the sensory garden. There were plenty of new smells, sights, and opportunities to play, which kept his tail wagging and his mind busy.

A tailored experience, every time

At Ferne, every boarding dog or cat is treated as an individual. The team takes time to get to know each animal’s likes, dislikes, quirks and routines. For Mac, this meant his day included just the right balance of playtime, cuddles, tasty meals and restful naps in a clean, cosy kennel.

If he wanted quiet time, there was space for that. If he wanted to watch the world go by, he could — all while being cared for by experienced, animal-loving staff.

Back home, happy and relaxed

When it was time to go home, Mac was content and calm, but happy to see his family. “Mac was an absolute pleasure to have with us,” says Nikki. “Once he realised he could trust us, he settled in so well. He loved spending time with the team, especially at reception — we all fell a bit in love with him!”

Chris summed it up perfectly: “Mac came back exactly as his usual chilled self. The team updated us from time to time with photos of him having fun and relaxing, he clearly had fun and felt safe — and we could relax on our break knowing he was in the best hands. He didn’t show any signs of anxiety when we picked him up or once we got him home. He was his normal, happy self — proof that Ferne really does feel like a holiday for him too.”

And as for Mac, we asked him for his feedback — he said, “Bark and slurp!” while wagging his tail with contentment.

A break for you, a holiday for them

Whether it’s for a weekend away or a longer holiday, Ferne’s boarding service lets families take a break knowing their pets are comfortable, cared for and content. With familiar belongings, personalised care, and a calm, friendly environment, dogs like Mac can enjoy their own adventures — and welcome their humans home with wagging tails.

Planning a break soon? Find out more about Ferne’s boarding for cats and dogs, and give your pet a holiday of their own. Visit our boarding page for prices and bookings here:  Pet Boarding | Ferne Animal Sanctuary