NEW TO BOARDING OR DAYCARE?  BELOW ARE SOME HELPFUL RESOURCES:

 

Any pet can experience separation anxiety when they’re dropped off for boarding or daycare.  The feeling of being left behind by their families can be upsetting for some pets.  Working together, we can help your pet with this transition.  Here are a few resources you may find useful:

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Boarding your dog -- What you need to know

How to prepare your pet for boarding

Leave your cat on vacation

 

IS BOARDING OR DAYCARE RIGHT FOR MY PET?

other options are necessary if you answered "true" to any of the following:

 

• For Boarding and Daycare:

  • My dog has a history of aggression towards humans.

  • My pet needs medical attention regularly throughout the day or night.

  • I am unable or unwilling to produce documents verifying:

    • flea/tick treatment​

    • required vaccinations

    • current medications

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• For Daycare Only:​

  • My male dog is NOT neutered AND over 1 year old. 

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TO HELP YOU PREPARE:

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• Prior to Boarding or Daycare: 

  • Schedule a tour.  Visit our facility in person ahead of time and ask to see where your pet will be staying (a suggestion, not a requirement).

  • Book early. If you’re traveling during a busy time (like the holidays), space may fill up if you wait (especially if you've booked travel). 

  • Required paperwork.  Try to fill out your paperwork ahead of drop off (highly suggested, but not required).  Necessary paperwork is in the “Registration & Reservations” tab above.  You will not be able to leave your pet until all forms are submitted, reviewed, and approved by our staff. If filling out paperwork at our facility prior to drop-off, be sure to understand vaccination requirements in advance. ​

 

• Communicate with staff:  At the end of the day, pet owners will always know their pups best.  Communicating with us is the best way to facilitate important updates about each pet and helps us ensure a comfortable stay.  For example, tell us: 

  • About your pet's favorite activities.

  • Multiple ways for us to contact you or an emergency contact if you expect to be unreachable.

  • If your pet is on a special diet.

  • If your pet has a history of trying to escape.

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TO HELP YOU PREPARE YOUR PET:

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• Prior to Dog Boarding or Daycare:  If a parent helps their child to read and write before heading into kindergarten, they’ll be better prepared for the work ahead. By that same logic, if a pet parent takes steps to socialize their pooch and minimize their anxiety before boarding, they’ll be far better off when the time comes for them to leave their furry friend behind. 

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• For Boarding, leave familiar items for your pet:  No toy or treat is a true replacement for a family members. However, keeping items on hand can make your pet feel a little bit more at home.  We encourage you to bring anything that helps comfort your pet that you are comfortable.  Just be sure it is an item of low value should it not make its way back home with you.   ​

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YOUR PET'S VISIT:

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• Drop-off:  Keep good-byes short and sweet.  You can say a few quick words to your pet, calmly pet them and leave, or just leave without making a big deal of it. Don’t make the process more difficult than it needs to be. The last thing your pet needs is for you to act clingy and for you to get separation anxiety from them before their boarding stay. Your pet needs to feel that you are comfortable with them staying out of the house at your boarding place of choice. Otherwise, you might risk them developing more anxiety from being away, based on your emotions.

 

• Doggy Daycare, Day 1:  What does my 1st visit entail?  An assessment begins by letting your dog meet the staff to ensure that they are able to handle your dog with relative ease.  After that, they will allow your dog to meet a few dogs of varying sizes and personalities in a controlled area of the facility. If that goes well, your dog and their new friends will be brought into a larger play area in the facility. This gives the team the opportunity to see if your dog is going to continue to be comfortable with meeting dogs as the group gets larger and larger.  Once positive introductions are made, then you will be able to schedule your dog for a full daycare experience.

 

BACK HOME:

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• How to best plan for a possible re-adjustment period back home:  

  • Relax with your pet.  If possible, spend some time relaxing with your pet before getting back into your routine.

  • ​Expect the unexpected.  Pets are naturally territorial, you may see some different behavior upon arrival at home after boarding. They may have to re-learn your home after being away--especially extended stays.  It is best to not worry and let them readjust to their home again. The process can be quick or could take a while, so be patient. They may show different behaviors or act out, and it is all a natural part of the process.  Allow your pet some time to re-adjust. 

  • Food/water.  Consider holding off on feeding your pet for at least 4 hours after arriving home .  Your pet may be overexcited to see you. When this happens, they tend to gulp food and water, which could trigger vomiting and/or diarrhea*.

  • Sleeping.  After returning home, pets often sleep more than usual for the first 24 hours and may also have a decreased appetite for 24‐36 hours. A soft stool is normal after a change in food and routine*.

 

*If your pet seems excessively lethargic, vomits, has moderate to severe diarrhea or does not seem to be back to normal within 24 to 36 hours after returning home, or is running a fever, it is best to consult with a veterinarian.  We would appreciate a courtesy call too so we can make a note or discuss how we can make adjustments for a more comfortable stay in the future.