Important Notice for IVDD Dachshund Owners
As the demand for specialised accommodation for IVDD dachshunds continues to rise, we want to inform our community that availability is currently limited. The economic climate, coupled with the surge in travel since the easing of COVID-19 restrictions, has made it increasingly difficult to find suitable accommodation for our beloved dogs with special needs.
Additionally, the growing number of dachshunds seeking new homes or foster care has further strained the availability of accommodations. Many of these dogs also require specialised support, compounding the challenge.
If you’re planning a trip or seeking care for your IVDD dachshund, we strongly encourage you to make arrangements as early as possible. Your furry friend deserves the best, and we are committed to helping you find the care they need.
Thank you for your understanding and support as we navigate these challenging times together. Let’s continue to look out for one another and ensure our dachshunds receive the love and care they deserve.
As an owner of an IVDD hound, it’s always a difficult & stressful decision to decide what to do when holidays arise.
Our Charity’s purpose does not encompass the provision of in-home “respite or rehabilitation care” but, we do facilitate and provide this complimentary listing for owners of IVDD hounds.
Australia-wide listings
(Breed specific) Dachshund Sitting Group (Facebook) & all breed websites that provide pet-sitting services.
State-wide listings
Some are homestays in a family environment, others are professionals in the rehabilitation field who also offer boarding and/or homestays.
NOTE
We have not discussed fees with any of these listings, it is up to you to discuss the “fine print”.
Before making any decision please also conduct your own due diligence and refer to our Disclaimer
AUSTRALIA WIDE
| Name | Website/Link | Info |
| AUSTRALIAN RESIDENTS ONLY Dachshund Sitting Group (Facebook) | Facebook Page | This group is for Australian residents only. We are an Australia only group. All requests are vetted and requests from ouside of Australia will not be accepted. This group is if you need a sitter for your beloved furkids. All members of the group are required to return the sitting favours at least once. Your yard must be secure. All sitting is between the person offering to sit and the person requesting the sit. ie: it is your responsibility as to the suitability of the accommodation, dogs getting along etc. |
| Mad Paws | Website | Make sure when considering online "pet sitting services" to perform your own due diligence. This is extremely important when caring for an IVDD hound. • Ensure sitters have been thoroughly vetted and have a thorough understanding & knowledge of caring for an IVDD Dachshund. • Ask lots of questions yourself as you know your hound best! • Have the sitters been Police checked? (very important if carer is staying in your home. • Can you meet the sitter? • Can you inspect the property if your hound is boarding? • Check online reviews as they often tell a story. |
| Pet Cloud | Website | Make sure when considering online "pet sitting services" to perform your own due diligence. This is extremely important when caring for an IVDD hound. • Ensure sitters have been thoroughly vetted and have a thorough understanding & knowledge of caring for an IVDD Dachshund. • Ask lots of questions yourself as you know your hound best! • Have the sitters been Police checked? (very important if carer is staying in your home. • Can you meet the sitter? • Can you inspect the property if your hound is boarding? • Check online reviews as they often tell a story. |
ACT
Get in Touch with DISA to add a listing
NSW
| Location | Name | Phone | Contact | Info |
| Goulburn | Louise Gardner | 0428 609 402 | Contact via Facebook | I live in Goulburn NSW so an hour from Canberra and 2 from Sydney. I have 8 dachies, one who has fully recovered from IVDD, my other boy Paddy died of heart failure after 10yrs with IVDD. I have ramps, crates (as I used to dog groom). A very dachshie friendly garden and house. I am qualified in canine myofunctional therapy. I used to be a registered nurse before Paddy went down with IVDD. Don't go out to work and if I leave my dogs for more than 3-4hrs I get a dog sitter in. Would be happy to offer holiday relief or respite for IVDD dachies. |
| MacArthur Wollondilly Camden Narellan areas | Julie Holmes | 0425 202 663 | Website | Julie is qualified Canine rehabilitation therapist, and understands the complexities of IVDD dogs andt what is involved with caring for them. She is also a qualified vet nurse with over 25yrs exp. |
| Manly (Sydney) | Sonja Mulder | 0432 982 954 | Contact via Facebook | I live near Manly with two beautiful Dachshunds (one IVDD) and a cat. I have nursed mine back to health through eight disc episodes. My dogs are strictly ground-level and at home I have ramps, gates and fences everywhere and even mats on my wooden deck and (inside) on my tiled floor to minimise slipping. I have a crate and a pet stroller (so your little one can come on walks with my two, while still being confined). My dogs and the cat will make your little one feel welcome and loved. I am home most days and when I'm away my mother pops in for pats and if necessary meals. |
| Central Coast - Bateau Bay | Sarah Provan Dachshund IVDD DayCare | 0420 819 032 | Your fur baby will be well looked after in owner's home. Secure and safe area with 24/7 care, as well as photo/video updates throughout the day. Offering day time care, Pet drop off/pick up, IVDD safe adventures and stimulation. |
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| Mount Kuring-gai (outer suburb of Northern Sydney) | Cheryl & Mark Matchett | 0438 635 132 | We have two litter mates a male and female. They are now 11 1/2. Flynn the male contracted IVDD at age 4. He was totally paralysed and it affected C2 to C12. He walks and mostly toilets outside. We have ramps everywhere and the house on the ground floor is all hard flooring and surrounded outside by a fairly large paved area. Any stairs are blocked off and he knows to wait while we pick him up to carry him. |
NT
Get in Touch with DISA to add a listing
QLD
Get in Touch with DISA to add a listing
SA
Get in Touch with DISA to add a listing
TAS
| Location | Name | Phone | Contact | Info |
| Hobart - Tasmania | Rose Grubits - Longfellows | 0413 016 020 | Facebook Page | My husband and I had dachshunds for many years, then decided to set up a minding service about 10 years ago. I also spent three winters house sitting/dog minding in QLD and NSW where I cared for many dachshunds, some with IVDD and also other special needs (eg: blind/deaf, dementia, anxiety issues). Once the covid situation is sorted, I plan to travel and provide a mobile minding service again. One of our own dachshunds (a rescue) had IVDD, so I am familiar with the disease and the care needs of these little guys - both post-op and also prior for prevention eg: no stairs, slippery floors, jumping off furniture etc. |
VIC
| Location | Name | Phone | Contact | Info |
| Bundoora - Melbourne | Dani Page | 0431 181 251 | ||
| Footscray (Melbourne) | Nicole Thompson | 0418 543 101 | Having gone through 3 episodes of IVDD we understand the challenges. Lulu has recovered and we are now living a new normal which includes having a house set up to suit IVDD needs. Happy to offer respite care. | |
| Mornington Peninsula | Annie Perkins | 0407 704 958 | Qualified in Pet First Aid and CPR who provides at home care and has boarded early stage IVDD babies, so very aware of the work involved. No steps, ramps and features a large garden for adventures. Heated in winter and air con for summer, plenty of dog beds and a crate for those who prefer. Walks in the pram are a great favourite! Accommodation is dependent on availability. |
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| Mornington Peninsula - Mooroduc | Bark Avenue Luxury Pet Resort | 03 5902 6045 | Facebook Page Website | Bark Avenue is run by an experienced Veterinarian, who knows exactly what to do (and can give immediate treatment if required). Highly recommended by an IVDD Dachshund owner. |
| Mornington Peninsula | Aquapaws Boarding for Dogs with Special Needs | (03) 5977 8841 | Website | We offer an in-patient option for pets that need special attention. This may be especially beneficial if you are not able to adequately supervise your pet following surgery due to a busy work schedule, for owners who cannot or do not want to perform after surgery care, or if you live too far away to easily get your pet to us for regular treatment. Sometimes, you may have pre planned a holiday! In some cases we recommend staying at our centre to offer the most effective treatment for your dog depending on the type of surgery. Your pet stays in a stress free home environment. Due to the personalized service we provide, we only take a few dogs at a time. If you do have a Special Needs Pet and just need a holiday, we are more than happy to accommodate them. Our Kennel is suitated at our Rehabilitation Centre on 10 acres of farm land on the Mornington Peninsula. There are plenty of other animals who are permanent residents here which include chooks, horses and cows. Your dog will never be board! One of our frequent guests will round up the chooks in her wheelchair! Interstate patients are also welcome. We have had visitors from Sydney, Canberra, South Australia, Country Victoria and even Tasmania! Travel arrangements can be made by calling the centre on 03 59 778 841. We do have a weight restriction for paralyzed pets, so please call us for more information. |
WA
| Location | Name | Phone | Contact | Info |
| Mt Helena - Perth Hills | Yuko Tajika | 0411 090 264 | Yuko (Please text me first as I don't answer calls from unknown numbers.) | Home environment in semi-rural property. We have 2 rescue female dachshunds 8 and 14. One of them was in stage5 IVDD when she came to me and has recovered well without the surgery. I also owned a dachshund who had IVDD surgery twice, so have very good experience with providing knowledgeable care. Crate, pet fence to create a restricted area and a pram are available to use. I work from home and can provide dedicated care. |