Harry’s passion centres around the love we have for dogs. A few years back, we launched a business called 'Pets and Pads - Walks and House Minding', initially as a means to stay active. With years of house-sitting experience from our younger days, alongside caring for our own dogs and those belonging to friends and family, we had no inkling that walking a few dogs would lead to such significant demand, especially following the lockdown and the increase in dog ownership. During this time, Ryan volunteered at the Dogs Trust, and despite the challenges, we decided to take our small venture more seriously.

In the past two years, we’ve looked after over 170 dogs and house-sat in numerous homes across Kent. We rented a small flat in Deal, spending only about a month there during our lease due to the overwhelming demand for pet care. Motivated by our dream of having a home of our own to welcome furry friends, we took a leap of faith and placed a bid on a house—and we were overjoyed to win! After several months of renovation, we created a dog-friendly space featuring wooden floors, safety gates, and an enclosed garden, all within walking distance of some of Kent’s most beautiful dog-friendly parks and gardens.

We felt inspired to rebrand our business in memory of a cherished Labrador we cared for, who sadly never got to stay with us. He was one of the oldest Labs we had known, at 14 years old, and he was a true character and a wonderful companion. We wanted to honour him by naming our venture Harry’s Home Boarding. Since then, we have been granted our licence, having completed over 30 hours of exams and extensive preparation to ensure we provide the finest care for dogs.

Harry’s operates as a small home-from-home concept—no cages or kennels here. Dogs are free to roam as they please and can sleep wherever they wish, including on the bed. We are licensed for four furry friends, ensuring that no one is overlooked or overwhelmed.

Ben & Ryan x ‘Harry’s Home Boarding & Daycare’