To start with, petfinder.ch has a useful search mechanism
http://www.petfinder.ch/tierpension
Edited to Add:
I've posted the general list here because our specific experiences might not cover all the areas of Switzerland, and I wanted to provide a resource that anyone can use. If you're new to Switzerland and don't know where to start searching, especially if you live in one of the Kantons not covered in our comments, then at least you have somewhere to search.
Chat l'Heureux
Mme Elisa Ryter
CFC de gardienne d'animaux
1059 Peney-le-Jorat
tél. 021 903 46 64 / fax 021 903 29 12
(French only, I think, but experience with international clients)
Experience:
Mrs Ryter is a lovely, warm person who is used to handling all sorts of cats - breeds and temperaments hold no mysteries for her! The cats stay in their crates for an hour or so after arrival inside the main cattery, in order to calm down and get used to their new surroundings. Cleanliness is impeccable. The main cattery is a large space with floor-to-ceiling windows and an enormous climbing system with lots of tunnels and platforms where the cats can find a comfortable spot or an observation post. There is permanent access to an enclosed outdoor space, also with climbing apparatus. The cattery is in very pretty countryside.
All male cats have to be castrated, but females do not. There are other conditions (vaccinations, flea dip, etc.) which you can consult on the website. The cattery will take care of any meds the cats need, plus some special feeding requirements, and generally go out of their way to ensure the cats are happy, well-fed and entertained.
My cat had a very hard time with separation anxiety the first time she went, and refused to eat. Mrs Ryter called me on holiday, concerned about what to do. I suggested (a little embarrassed) that a cooked fish would probably work - she did it! She actually cooked a dinner for my kitty herself and was so happy to see her eating again that she called me back with the good news.
Book well in advance - the place is understandably popular.
http://www.tierferienheim.com/
Hägelen 120, 5467 Fisibach (bei Kaiserstuhl)
044 858 3676
Opening Hours: Monday through Saturday 9:00 - 11:00 and
16:00 - 18:00
Closed on Sundays.
Tierferienheim Belp
Familie Bornhauser
Fahrhubel 341 CH 3123 Belp
+41 (0) 31 819 44 40
[[email protected]](mailto:[email protected])
Hours M-F 8-12/14-18:30
Sat 8-12/14-17
Closed Sundays and Holidays
Located right off the A6 at the Rubigen-Belp exit. So really convenient if you have a car, especially if you're south of Bern.
They handle dogs, cats and small animals - I've seen people bring in guinea pigs.
People who work there are really nice, kind to the animals and speak minimal English. If you can speak minimal German and wave your hands, it will be fine. The dogs get time in an exercise yard. If your dog needs to stay alone, he or she will. It's obviously a kennel, not a house, so it's not plush, but it's spotless and well heated in the winter. My dog is difficult, but they're used to her and I feel safe leaving her there. She's stayed as long as almost 3 weeks and come back to us pretty much the way we left her.
They also check medical records - vaccinations and so forth - carefully. I like them a lot, and hope I can find some place similar when we move next year.
http://www.animal-care-8600.ch/
The women who runs it is a star and my dog is in the video on the website chasing after stuff.
She charges 26chf a day including breakfast, if you want to board your dog over night I think it is an extra 5chf.
It isn't a traditional kennels, the dogs stay in a barn next to her house and have their own beds, chairs etc. They get walked twice a day.
I can't recommend it more highly.
Boarding cats, dogs, and small animals. We board our cat there while on holiday, always attentive and nicely cared for.
SPA Nyon La Cote
Côte de la SPA
chemin du Bochet 20
1260 Nyon
Phone: [022 361 61 15](callto://+41223616115/)
It's in the middle of the orchards just outside Saxon (between Martigny and Sion), with tracks for them to be walked beside a stream. They breed St. Bernards, adore dogs and what's more our dogs adored them. Our dogs were never so happy going into kennels as when we started using this place. When we dropped them off it was all waggy tails, straining at the leash with excitement to lick the staff like old friends. It was like our dogs were saying to us "Oh you're off then? Bye!" And when they checked out at the end of their stay, they always came out happy and smelling fresh and clean. The great thing about dogs is they let you know when they're happy.
The manager speaks fluent English and Spanish (and of course German -- and perhaps some other languages). They are expensive and you must have a car to get up there (50 minutes door to door from our place in Riehen), but it's a very cool place.
They require a test stay before any long stays to make sure the dogs are temperamentally suited for their method (the dogs stay in a pack that's supervised by a human 24/7), and will show you videos and pictures of the dogs so you can see for yourself how they did. This last thing is of course a great sales pitch to make you want to pay their big fees, but it was a wonderful thing to see my doggies sleeping comfortably and playing with the other dogs.
near baden. speaks english. the mrs works there
The dogs are all in big open, roomy spaces internal, each with their own access to a private outside run.
There is no doggy smell, minimal barking and all the dogs come up to the doors to greet Beat who runs the place.
The dogs also get time out in paddocks to play as well as individual walks.
My boy was always keen to see Beat and run through the place to his "room" which to me is a great sign.
http://www.tier-art-hotel.ch/index.php
We are heading home to Australia so won't be using them anymore but would love to get them some extra business.
Granted they're not cheap but in my opinion peace of mind and great care is worth it.
near vevey I used:
jennifer balsiger
079 310 9065
my cats love her
and when i lived in lausanne i used
mr and mrs gaillard
079 411 8130
sweet couple who would send me sms updates almost ever day.
Great rates especially for long stays. Two (or three?) brothers run the business. A little slow on getting back to you, but they always pick her up on time. They are in the Zurich/Uster area andspeak great English!
The only downside... my dog smells like cigarette smoke when she comes home.
Ben and Marek Bagsik:
I would say after my experience NEVER leave your animal here.
Terrible, dirty, chaotic, poorly run place. Rude staff, overcrowded facility.
I dropped off a healthy, clean dog and picked up a filthy dirty dog who could barely walk (wasn't even able to get in the car).
They acted like this was totally normal. It cost me a fortune.
Tierheim Tierpension Strubeli
Stiftung Tierschutz
Büelstr. 12
CH-8604 Hegnau / Volketswil ZH
Oscar seemed happy and......what I've found to always be a good indicator.....wound himself round the cat-lady's legs before getting into his box to come home. He'd obviously been getting regularly brushed (which isn't always the case in catterys) as he was 'silky smooth'.
Definitely give this one the thumbs-up.
She also went on and on about their immunizations. I informed her that our dogs shots were up to date, that the dogs had been given an inspection by a veterinarian before we left Japan and that we had been to the local vet to get their microchips fitted. In fact, it was the veterinarian's office that gave me the details for the kennel. She wasn't listening to a word I said.
There was no language barrier here, the woman was totally misinformed and completely unreasonable. I found another kennel and I have never looked back. I truly did not want to leave my dogs with someone who was so ill informed and narrow minded, and rude. You'd think I smuggled the dogs here the way she spoke to me.
Erliweg 1
8302 Kloten
Tel. 0041 44 813 04 90
Fax 0041 44 814 03 75
[[email protected]](mailto:[email protected])
http://www.hundeheim-kyburz.ch/index.html
This is a large kennel, not a person's home, so it may not be for everyone. I think the dogs are put in two's in individual pens with indoor (climate controlled) / outdoor access. We have boarded our dog here a few times and he has been fine (and this is a dog not used to boarding). You are free to bring your own food and bedding, which I recommend.
People are friendly and speak some english, but we usually use Google translate and send e-mails to confirm. They were also very flexible when our return was delayed for two days last week due to weather issues.
Location is very good - 5 minutes from Zurich airport. The only thing to be aware of are the hours, which are:
Montag - Samstag: 08.00 - 11.30 und 14.00 - 17.00 Uhr Sonntag 08.00 - 11.30 Uhr nachmittags geschlossen
Wir sind 365 Tage im Jahr für Ihre Lieblinge da.