Trevor Turner, B. Vet. Med., MRCVS

First published in January/February 2005 Edition

Most kennels today have some kind of written ‘contract’ with their customers in the form of a boarding form signed when a booking is made or when the pet comes in to board.

Surprisingly “contracts” or more correctly “terms of employment” for staff, particularly if temporary or part-time, do not appear to be so common .

This was brought to mind when I received a letter from Carol Robbins of Forest Kennels Ltd in the Isle of Wight. She wrote via Kennel and Cattery Management to ask if I had ever been requested to comment on employees’ contracts.

The answer is yes, occasionally. In fact I am usually the one asking about contracts when problems arise with staff in the middle of a busy boarding season.