When arranging a holiday, dog owners are always faced with a dilemma. Do they just go where they want and put up with the guilt of leaving their beloved canine companion in kennels? Or do they compromise and try to find pet friendly accommodation which could mean missing out on the holiday they really wanted?

Of course, you can ask family and friends to step into the breach but as Cate and Russell Court discovered when trying to house their two golden retrievers, there are only so many times you can do this.

But there is an alternative to kennelling that can also offer that vital peace of mind. Barking Mad promises to provide a home from home pet care service accommodating pets in a loving home environment with select families.

The Courts heard about the franchise some years ago and, when they found themselves looking for a new business, Barking Mad immediately sprang to mind.

Mrs Court, from Southmoor, near Abingdon, said: "We had heard it through friends we'd met on holiday and thought at the time it was a fantastic idea."

With a background in retail, the Courts wanted a new direction, and last September were successful in their franchise interview. They now run the South Oxfordshire branch of Barking Mad, catering for dog owners in Abingdon, Wallingford, Wantage, Witney, and Didcot.

Mrs Court explained: "Basically, we are the office. We takes on hosts who fit the criteria we are looking for and find the right dog for them to look after when the time comes."

It is crucial to the business, said Mrs Court, to pinpoint the right person as a host: "It's not very well paid because we don't want it to be about the money it has to be about wanting to look after the dog.

"Often hosts are people who work from home anyway, or perhaps newly retired people who don't want to commit to a full-time pet."

Pets are suitably matched with a loving host family who will continue the dog's existing routine for exercising and feeding. The animal will be cared for around the clock, if necessary.

Mrs Court said: "We are more expensive than kennels but not as expensive as dog-sitters. You are receiving a top quality service for your dog. Nowadays, some people won't go away unless they're sure their pet is being cared for properly."

Launched in Lancashire in 2000 by Lee Southern, the Barking Mad franchise was born out of Ms Southern's reluctance to use kennel facilities.

Mrs Court added: "Our interview was with Ms Southern herself she is very hands on and whole thing is very caring, which is why we love it so much it's all about the animals."

n Contact: Barking Mad on 01865 820666