Our History
Trust and Inspiration
Gentian Hill Boarding Kennels was born in 2004 and our Boarding Cattery in 2020.
We have customers booking up to 2 years in advance for special occasions and we have customers from hundreds of miles away, and even abroad.
Here's why...
5 Stars
5 Star Rating
We have been awarded 5 Stars by South Hams Council, which we are fit-to-burst proud of!
Our customers tell us regularly they refuse to board anywhere else... quite often booking their holidays around our diary.
![Beautiful sunny spring day over Gentian Hill](/images/location-sunny-xsll.jpg)
Gorgeous views
![Beautiful rainbow over Gentian Hill](/images/location-rainbow-xsll.jpg)
Breathtaking rainbows
![Blue skies over a dog running on the fields at Gentian Hill](/images/location-gsd-xsll.jpg)
Acres of sky
![Beautiful sunset photographed over Gentian Hill](/images/location-sunset-xsll.jpg)
Glorious sunsets
High Standards
We've been pioneers in building higher standard pet boarding accommodation and have lost count of the people who have wanted to follow in our footsteps over the years.
Customers often ask
“Why aren’t all kennels like this?”
![Entrance gates with signs](/images/entrance1-xsll.jpg)
![Main entrance leading to reception](/images/entrance2-xsll.jpg)
The Personal Touch
We set high standards in pet boarding by creating a caring, personal and homely business - achieving unprecedented demand in our beautiful rural part of the country.
We love that we inspire both pet owners and future kennel owners to seek higher standards of boarding and welfare for pets.
![Reception desk with pastel pink wall behind and watercolour cat canvas picture](/images/reception1-xsll.jpg)
![Behind Reception](/images/reception2-xsll.jpg)
![Reception with table, flowers, books and leaflets, and paintings of a cat and a dog](/images/reception3-xsll.jpg)
![Kitchen with pastel yellow walls](/images/kitchen1-xsll.jpg)
Friendly
Our friendliness is what our customers comment on the most.
We are always willing to help, and especially so in tricky situations with pets, whether it's moving house, a stay in hospital and even those who have been threatened with eviction for having pets.
We always try our best to be helpful in any situation.
Meet Jane
Jane Cole
It all started with one woman's dream to turn a deep love of animals into a permanent lifestyle in this stunning setting.
She loves all animals, great and small and considers them to be her best friends.
Jane Cole lived in this beautiful location with her children and animals, enjoying her house, its land and views - but knew it could be so much more.
![Jane on the grass with two dogs, one nose-to-nose with her and one having a tummy rub](/images/jane1-xsll.jpg)
![Closeup of Jane smiling, she has sparkling blue eyes and her red hair glows in the daylight](/images/jane-xsll.jpg)
![CJane comforting two dogs while out for exercise on the grass](/images/jane-dogs1-xsll.jpg)
![Jane with her two black labradors](/images/jane3-xsll.jpg)
![Jane lying on the sofa with one of her dogs lying on top of her having a cuddle](/images/jane4-xsll.jpg)
Since creating her dream, Jane has been an inspiration and help to many - particularly regarding the need for higher standards of animal boarding.
She has a passion for protecting animals and couldn't be happier when seeing those wagging tails!
As well as waking up to such a beautiful location, Jane’s greatest satisfaction is doing something she loves every single day.
Meet Ilmarie
Dr Ilmarie Rencken Lloyd
Ilmarie and Jane have been friends for many years and when Ilmarie visited Gentian Hill and saw the passion and care for animals herself, she really wanted to be a part of upscaling it.
Jane was looking for a business partner to help her take the kennels to the next level and introduce cat boarding. Ilmarie was the perfect match!
Ilmarie has always been passionate about animals and after retiring, is putting her business and animal experience and her caring, compassionate nature to great use with us.
![Ilmarie cuddling a puppy](/images/ilmarie-xsll.jpg)
Ilmarie had her own kennels, was a top breeder of Rhodesian Ridgeback dogs with 30 years experience of breeding, caring for and training puppies, and very active in rescue, fostering and rehoming dogs. She also has 2 rescue cats she adores, a PhD degree in Chemistry and owned a number of businesses in the chemical, food and mining industries.
Knowledge and Experience
We provide a 5 Star stay
It's vital to us that pets feel loved, cared for and safe when they are with us.
All of our staff are trained in Animal First Aid and have qualifications in Animal Care.
Meet Our Staff
We're all animal crazy here and naturally have our own pets. Staff have been personally trained by Jane to a high caring standard and have achieved qualifications in animal care and management.
For 10+ years Jane has also provided experience to NVQ students who are training to be veterinary nurses studying at Duchy College and Achievement Training.
Caroline
![Caroline](/images/staff-caroline-xsll.jpg)
Caroline has been with us for 10+ years.
Zoe
![Zoe](/images/staff-zoe-xsll.jpg)
Zoe has been with us for 5+ years.
Jared
![Jared](/images/staff-jared-xsll.jpg)
Jared has been with us for 3+ years.
Our Family Members
Photos of Jane's furry babies!
![Pet dog luxruriating on faux fur bed](/images/pet1-xsll.jpg)
![Pet cat luuxuriating on plush bed](/images/pet2-xsll.jpg)
![Pet puppy having a lap cuddle](/images/pet3-xsll.jpg)
![Pet dog sea paddling](/images/pet4-xsll.jpg)
![Pet cat having a wiggle](/images/pet5-xsll.jpg)
![Pet cat having a catnap outside in the sunshine](/images/pet6-xsll.jpg)
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Viewings & Bookings
Make the Magic Happen
It's Holiday Time!
Please book early to ensure your pet will be in the best hands with us