Long-Term Dog Care During Life's Changes

Sometimes life changes, but that doesn't have to mean losing your dog.

Moving home, relocating for work, waiting for permanent accommodation, recovering from illness, or dealing with unexpected family circumstances can leave even the most devoted dog owners facing difficult decisions.

For many people, surrendering their dog feels like the only option.

In reality, it often isn't.

PawSaga's Long-Term Care service was created to provide a safe, structured environment where dogs can remain cared for while their owners work through temporary life changes. Our aim is simple: to help keep dogs with the people who love them whenever possible.

Is Long-Term Care Right for You?

Our Long-Term Care service may be suitable if you are:

  • Relocating within Ireland or overseas.
  • Waiting to move into permanent accommodation.
  • Temporarily living somewhere that cannot accommodate your dog.
  • Working away for an extended period.
  • Recovering from illness or supporting a family member.
  • Experiencing another temporary life change where caring for your dog has become difficult.

Every enquiry is considered individually, as every dog and every situation is different.

What Your Dog Can Expect

Long-term care is far more than simply providing a place for a dog to stay.

At PawSaga, every dog follows a structured daily routine designed to provide stability, consistency and enrichment throughout their stay.

Depending on their individual needs, dogs receive:

  • Daily exercise
  • Mental stimulation and enrichment
  • A balanced routine of activity and rest
  • Individual attention
  • Carefully managed social interaction where appropriate
  • A safe, home-based environment focused on welfare and wellbeing

Our approach allows dogs to settle into a predictable routine, helping to reduce stress while maintaining both their physical and emotional wellbeing.

Why Planning Matters

One of the biggest factors in the success of long-term care is planning.

Unlike emergency boarding, long-term placements often require preparation to ensure they are the right fit for both the dog and our existing routines.

The earlier you contact us, the more opportunity we have to discuss your circumstances, arrange introductions where appropriate, and determine whether our service is suitable for your dog.

Unfortunately, we cannot always accommodate urgent requests at short notice.

What This Service Is Not

Our Long-Term Care service is designed to support owners through temporary life changes.

It is not intended for:

  • Holidays or short breaks
  • Standard boarding requirements
  • Immediate emergency placements without prior planning
  • Dogs being surrendered or permanently rehomed

The goal of this service is for dogs to return home to their owners once circumstances allow.

Our Assessment Process

Every enquiry begins with a short pre-screening form.

This allows us to gain an initial understanding of both your circumstances and your dog's needs.

If we believe our Long-Term Care service may be suitable, we'll invite you to complete a more detailed assessment before discussing the next steps with you.

This process helps ensure that every placement is appropriate for both the dog and the environment we provide.

Important Information

Before long-term care can begin:

  • A minimum stay of three months applies.
  • All standard boarding requirements must be met.
  • Dogs must be up to date with their vaccinations, including Kennel Cough.
  • Behavioural suitability is assessed individually.
  • Owners remain responsible for all agreed boarding fees throughout the stay.
  • A boarding agreement must be signed before admission.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can my dog come home again?

Yes. The purpose of this service is to provide temporary care while owners work towards bringing their dog home.

How long can my dog stay?

Every situation is different. We discuss expected timeframes during the enquiry process, however a minimum stay of three months applies.

Do you accept every enquiry?

No. Every dog and every situation is assessed individually to ensure the placement is appropriate and that we can continue providing the level of care PawSaga is known for.

Will my dog live with other dogs?

Not necessarily. Every dog's routine is tailored to their individual needs. Where appropriate, carefully managed social interaction may form part of their daily routine.

What happens after I submit an enquiry?

We'll review your initial information and, if we believe the service may be suitable, invite you to complete our full assessment before discussing the next steps.

 

Ready to Start?

If you believe PawSaga's Long-Term Care service may be the right solution for your circumstances, we'd love to hear from you.

Complete our initial enquiry form, and we'll be in touch to discuss your situation and determine whether our service is the right fit for both you and your dog.