Sun Hound offers small-scale holiday and training stays designed to feel calm, enriching and home-like. Dogs staying with Sun Hound are welcomed into a home environment and become part of daily life, including beach adventures, enrichment activities, relaxed downtime and family life.

These policies are designed to help ensure a safe, comfortable and enjoyable experience for all dogs, owners and carers involved.

Suitability

To help maintain a safe and balanced environment, dogs attending Sun Hound should:

* Be generally comfortable around people and other dogs

* Be suitable for a home-style environment

* Be generally toilet trained (unless previously discussed)

* Be able to settle safely indoors

* Not display severe destructive, aggressive or unsafe behaviours

Sun Hound reserves the right to decline or end a stay if a dog is found to be unsafe, highly distressed or unsuitable for the environment.

Training & Handling Philosophy

Sun Hound takes a gentle, science-based, relationship-focused approach to dog care and training, using positive reinforcement methods to help dogs feel safe, supported and understood during their stay.

Management tools such as long lines, decompression time, enrichment and tailored routines may be used where appropriate to support each dog’s individual needs and wellbeing.

Health & Veterinary Care

Owners are responsible for providing accurate and up-to-date information regarding their dog’s health, behaviour, medications and care requirements.

Dogs attending Sun Hound should be up to date with vaccinations and parasite prevention where appropriate.

If a dog becomes unwell or injured during their stay, veterinary treatment may be sought where necessary. Owners agree that any veterinary costs incurred during their dog’s stay remain their responsibility.

Transport

Transport may be available for dogs travelling from selected areas across Tasmania, including the Hobart and Launceston regions.

Transport availability is limited and subject to scheduling, location and suitability.

Additional transport fees and minimum stay requirements may apply depending on travel distance and booking requirements.

By confirming a booking with Sun Hound, owners consent to their dog being transported by vehicle where required as part of their stay.

Adventures & Enrichment

Dogs staying with Sun Hound may participate in beach walks, outings, enrichment activities and adventures suited to their individual needs, abilities and comfort levels.

Safety and wellbeing always remain the priority, and management tools such as long lines may be used where appropriate.

While all reasonable care is taken, owners acknowledge that dogs participating in outings, social environments and adventures may still encounter inherent risks associated with normal dog behaviour and outdoor activities.

Damage & Home Environment

Sun Hound operates from a private home rather than a kennel facility. Owners confirm that their dog is generally suitable for living within a home environment and not known to be excessively destructive.

While normal wear and tear is expected, owners may be responsible for significant damage caused to property, belongings or transport vehicles during their dog’s stay.

Booking Deposits

A 50% non-refundable deposit is required to secure all bookings with Sun Hound.

Bookings are not considered confirmed until the required deposit has been received.

The remaining balance must be paid prior to or at the commencement of the stay unless otherwise arranged.

Please read detailed booking and cancellation policy here.

Cancellations

More than 14 days prior to the booking

Cancellations made more than 14 days prior to the booking may be eligible for a transfer of the booking deposit to a future booking date at Sun Hound’s discretion.

Within 14 days of the booking

Cancellations made within 14 days of the booking will result in the forfeiture of the booking deposit.

Within 7 days of the booking

Cancellations made within 7 days of the booking may incur up to 100% of the total booking fee, particularly during peak periods, for long stays or where transport arrangements have already been scheduled.

Peak Periods

Bookings during public holidays, school holidays, Christmas and New Year are in particularly high demand and may be subject to stricter cancellation conditions.

Deposits for peak period bookings are non-refundable unless the booking can be refilled.

Early Returns & Booking Changes

If an owner chooses to collect their dog earlier than the agreed booking dates, unused nights are non-refundable.

Requests to extend stays are subject to availability and cannot be guaranteed.

Social Media & Photography

Photos and videos may occasionally be taken during a dog’s stay and shared on social media, the Sun Hound website or other promotional platforms unless otherwise requested by the owner.

Privacy

Sun Hound collects personal and pet-related information to help provide safe, personalised care and communicate regarding bookings, stays and services.

Information collected may include owner contact details, emergency contacts, veterinary information, behavioural information and details relevant to a dog’s care and wellbeing.

All information is stored securely and used solely for the operation of Sun Hound services. Personal information is not sold or shared with third parties except where required for veterinary treatment, emergencies or legal obligations.

Acknowledgement

By submitting an enquiry or confirming a booking with Sun Hound, owners acknowledge that they have read, understood and agreed to these policies and terms of service.