THE search to find an alternative to kennels led a North Yorkshire woman to set up a business.

Yvonne Housby, from Thirsk, did not want to leave her dog, Benson, in kennels when she went away on holiday.

As she looked for an alternative, she came across the Barking Mad pet care service, which places animals with a host family. Ms Housby liked the service so much she has set up a franchise in North Yorkshire.

She said: "Benson's a real mummy's boy, the first and last time he was in kennels he came back skinny and miserable.

"So many people I speak to don't want to leave their dogs in kennels, and some people don't go away on holiday because of it.

"This way is much less stressful for the dog, so it's good for older dogs, although it is suitable for any dog."

Barking Mad was set up in Lancashire by Lee Southern five years ago, and now covers almost 40 per cent of the country.

The service picks up dogs from their owners' home and places them with a host family. As far as possible the same routine the dog would normally follow at home is maintained by the host family.

Many of the hosts are retired people who have previously kept dogs.

For more information, contact Ms Housby on (01845) 537171.