Newsletter September 2025
September is now past us and it has been one beautiful summer this year in Somerset. Trust us we are not the only ones saying this, see this statement from the Somerset Live website reporting on the Met Office confirmation of Summer 2025 being the hottest summer ever recorded! Welcome Autumn!

Hot or not wasn’t an issue at Wags & Whiskers! Between our cool clean individually climate controlled rooms and our fun and enriching splash pool times our guests staying with us had no issues whatsoever with the heat!
When the temperatures soared this summer, we knew that caring for our guests went beyond shade and water bowls. At Wags & Whiskers, we pride ourselves on researching and applying the very best practices to keep dogs safe, comfortable, and happy in every season.
Did you know?
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Dogs don’t sweat like humans — they mainly release heat through panting and their paw pads.
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Brachycephalic breeds (like Bulldogs and Pugs) are more prone to overheating because their airways are shorter.
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Even a few degrees too high can put dogs at risk of heat stress.
That’s why we went the extra mile:
✅ Splash Time & Water Play – Supervised sessions in our splash pools helped regulate body temperature while keeping tails wagging.
✅ Cool Zones Indoors – Our suites were kept ventilated and each room equipped with fans placed to circulate air safely.
✅ Hydration Stations – Multiple water points topped up throughout the day, with some clever pups opting for a cool-down straight from the tap!
✅ Flexible Exercise Routines – Walks and secure field play shifted to cooler mornings and evenings, while midday heat was reserved for enrichment activities indoors!
✅ Continuous Research & Training – Our team stays informed on the latest veterinary guidance for canine heat safety, because caring for dogs isn’t just our job — it’s our passion.
This level of science-led care combined with love and dedication is what makes Wags & Whiskers more than just a boarding service. We create a safe, luxury environment where dogs thrive — even through Somerset’s hottest summer on record.
We’re excited to share that our Doggy Day Care has officially launched, and it’s already proving a success with our members. At this stage, we’ve primarily opened the service to our existing clients, and the response has been fantastic — reservations are coming in quickly, and spaces are filling up fast. If you’re interested, we encourage you to book early to secure your spot .
From the very beginning, our philosophy has been clear: we work with our clients to make our services work for them. That’s why we listened to your feedback and adapted our working hours to ensure Day Care truly fits into busy lifestyles. Flexibility is at the heart of what we do, and we’ll continue evolving to meet your needs.
Many of you have also asked about weekend Day Care, and we’d love to make it happen. To do so, we’ll need enough demand to support it — so if weekends would make a difference for you, please register your interest and help us shape the future of Day Care at Wags & Whiskers.
Our brand-new indoor Daycare space is almost ready and will be fully open by October — we can’t wait to welcome your dogs into it!
In the meantime, our guests are enjoying Day Care with dedicated boarding suites used for rest between outdoor play, ensuring a safe, clean, and comfortable environment throughout the day.
In the meantime we love bouncing ideas with all of you and have had some great ones already from so many of you!
Please use the form below and let us know what you would love to see us introduce for the day care you want for your furry family members!
Beyond Boarding: Why Our Values Matter!
At Wags & Whiskers, our guiding values remind us that caring for dogs goes far beyond providing luxury suites and daily care. They push us to always do what’s right for the animals who depend on us. Sometimes that means stepping in when a dog’s future is uncertain, offering love, stability, and helping them find the forever homes they deserve. The stories of Scooby and Blue are reminders that, for us, caring isn’t temporary — it’s a lifelong commitment to the wellbeing of every dog we welcome through our doors.

Scooby, our cheeky and water-loving German Shepherd, had been part of the Wags & Whiskers family for quite some time. Over the course of his many stays, he built a strong bond with our team — enjoying playtime, plenty of cuddles, and plenty of training sessions with us. He quickly became known for his playful personality, his loyalty, and of course his love of water — whether splashing in muddy puddles or cheekily nudging the tap whenever someone filled his bowl.
So when we learned that Scooby’s owners could no longer keep him due to health reasons, it felt very personal.
After trying the usual rescue channels with no success, 
his family turned to us — and we knew we couldn’t let him down.
Our team rallied around him, caring for him as if he were our own.
Staff provided food, toys, treats, and plenty of love while we searched for the right home.
Fate stepped in one evening when one of our team bumped into Jack in a pub — someone with years of experience handling strong breeds, and a family history with German Shepherds.
Jack began visiting Scooby regularly to build their bond, and it quickly became clear that this was the perfect fit.
Today, Scooby is thriving in his new home. He enjoys long countryside walks, plenty of love, and we still receive regular updates and photos of him living his best life.
Scooby’s journey is a reminder of what our guiding values mean in practice: at Wags & Whiskers, our care for dogs doesn’t end at checkout — it continues wherever they need us most.

Blue, a sweet-natured English Cocker Spaniel, wasn’t just a guest at Wags & Whiskers — he was part of our family. Between May and September 2024, he stayed with us across four separate visits, spending a total of more than two months in our care. By his final stay in September, Blue had just turned 12 years old — a senior gentleman with a mild, gentle temperament who was always cooperative and loved nothing more than quiet cuddles.
Throughout his time with us, Blue required regular medical treatment. Once a month he needed to visit the vet, and our team personally took him for these appointments, ensuring he received the care he needed while keeping his routine as stress-free as possible. His sweet nature and resilience touched every member of staff who had the privilege of looking after him.
During his final stay, we received the sad news that Blue’s beloved owner had passed away. At such a difficult time, his family entrusted us with his care while they considered what the future might hold. They later asked for our help in finding him a new home. We tried all the regular rehoming avenues, but it was ultimately through reaching out to our extended circle of family and friends that we found the perfect match.
Blue went on to spend his golden years with a wonderful new family, who kept in touch with us throughout his time with them — sending regular updates and photos that warmed our hearts. Sadly, in June 2025, Blue passed away. While his loss was felt deeply, we take comfort in knowing that his final chapter was filled with love, stability, and the care he deserved.

Exciting News –
We’re Award Winners!

We are thrilled to share some incredible news — Wags & Whiskers has been named the 2025 Pet Hotel of the Year (United Kingdom) at the CorporateLiveWire Innovation & Excellence Awards.
This award recognises the heart of what we do: combining innovation, excellence, and genuine love for dogs to create a truly unique experience.
We couldn’t have achieved this without our amazing clients and their beloved pets. Your trust and support inspire us every single day, and we’re so proud to be able to raise the standard of pet care here in Somerset and beyond.
Award-Winning Care, Tailored for Every Dog 🐾



