Policies

Please let us know if you have ANY questions. We absolutely look forward to speaking with you!

Policies are subject to change without notice. Thank you.

For the safety of all our guests, all dogs must be current on their Rabies, DHLPP(Distemper), and Bordetella. Some veterinarians do not give the Kennel Cough/Bordetella vaccine during a routine exam until it is requested by the owner. We require that the Kennel Cough vaccine be given yearly, but recommend it be given every 6 months. Currently we are recommending the Canine influenza vaccine, but it is not required. All dogs participating in play groups must be current on the required vaccines. (For the best coverage, the Kennel cough vaccine, should be given a min. of 2 weeks before their stay; please call if you have encountered a problem and special arrangements can be discussed).

All guests must be on a form of flea and tick preventative whether traditional or holistic. Please inform us as to which preventative your pup receives. Any guest admitted with fleas will be treated at an additional charge to the owner.

Special arrangements can be discussed for puppies and Exceptions can be discussed for Elderly pet’s not receiving certain vaccinations, after verified by your veterinarian, and a signed waiver.

A signed agreement is required for all guests.

All NON-HOLIDAY/NON-PEAK cancellations must be made 48 hours in advance to avoid charges (1/2 the total stay). Kindly give 48 hours notice. Inclement weather and storms do not void the cancelation policy. Thanks

For HOLIDAY/SCHOOL VACATION/PEAK VACATION PERIODS-WEEKS, scheduled for our kennel, Cancellations MUST be made 10 days in advance. 1/2 the total stay will be charged for late cancellations during these peak times. To guarantee a spot please make your reservation in advance. Please inquire about peak times,

We are trying to avoid requiring a deposit for these peak times. Please proceed on the honor system to avoid additional billing and collection fees and the forfeit of access of future reservations. Thanks

Separate policies apply and the cancellation policy differs for the "In Our Home" boarding, please inquire about these separate policies if you have elected for the  "In Our home" boarding/daycare. Thanks

If your pup is currently on ANY medication, we ask that you notify us in advance of your pets stay. It is necessary that you let us know what medication is being administered and WHY your dog is currently taking medications. If your pet receives in medication in bread, peanut butter, wet food, etc. -you must provide these items -we do not. We reserve the right to speak with your veterinarian regarding the health of your dog.

The full boarding fee DOES APPLY to the day or evening of drop off, just like a hotel, whether dropped off in am or pm.

No charge for the last day, if you "Checkout"  Monday-Saturday BEFORE 10am and

"Checkout" between 10am-10:50am on Sundays, though we are open until 1pm for pick ups.

No Charge for the day of "check out" if groomed on that day, Mon-Fri ONLY and "In Home" excluded.

*Day Care Packages are not valid for payment of boarding, grooming or for payment of any other charge.

What should my dog bring?

You are welcome to bring your own food. Special arrangements can be discussed if your pet is on a special diet. We also offer premium dog food that provides a nutritionally balanced diet. If your pet is not currently using our brand, we do recommend that you bring his/her own food to help eliminate the possibility of digestive upset when your pet returns home with you.

Food: all food must labeled with your pets first and last name as well as serving amount. Please avoid bringing huge bags of food due to storage. Thanks

   Personal items:  all toys, beds, blankets must be labeled with your pets first and last name.

We are not responsible for lost or destroyed personal items :)

How will my dog spend his/her day?

Our days are spent in off leash play, feeding time, and down/nap time. Though we are a kennel, we are not a traditional kennel. We consider ourselves a fun relaxing place where dogs enjoy the day and then retire to a beautiful spot with comfortable beds, set up in a lodge like atmosphere with soothing music to listen to while they sleep. We also offer separate "In Our Home" boarding, though restrictions do apply.

How much play time will my dog receive?

Our goal is to provide your dog with an ample, but healthy and reasonable amount of daily exercise and stimulus.  Our typical day is 4-6 hours of playtime for most guests.
Each dog and breed is different and we recognize this. An appropriate exercise regimen will be determined for your dog.

Why naps & down time?

We enforce down time daily, as it is necessary for our furry guests to recharge. A well exercised, but well rested dog makes for a healthier pup! We do NOT want our socialization to cause extreme fatigue. Similar to children, dogs can lose their social manners when over tired or over played.

Can I visit before my dog comes to visit?

YES! You are welcome to schedule a visit before deciding to board your family member with us. Please contact us to schedule a visit. We do not give tours during "check in" or "check out". We do not give tours during Holiday and Peak vacation times. Our main purpose it to provide excellent care and fun to our guests and unscheduled tours interrupt this care. Thank you.

Our Food or Yours??

Many Clients ask us about bringing their own food for their pup’s stay with us. We welcome it. Our rates here do include our High Quality diet which we prepare daily. Our diet consists of California Natural and Fresh Filtered Water. If your pup has a medical issue it is absolutely necessary for you to bring their regular diet. Call us is you have any questions.

During any visit to our Doggie Guest House, if you would like to bring your pup’s own diet, we are more than happy to accommodate. There is no additional charge for feeding your pup’s personal diet or our “House Diet”. If we have to cook and prepare a special diet, there IS an additional charge per meal.

One of the possible side effects of making a sudden change to your pup’s normal diet is the possibility of bowel changes, or diarrhea. Because foods may be different from your pup’s normal diet, an abrupt change in diet, coupled with the excitement of playing and boarding, can in some instances create mild colitis in some guests.

Many clients feel that because their pup is boarding they need to feed extra food, we call it the “guilt feeding”. You should measure your pup’s food into a common 8 oz. standard kitchen cup to determine the amount of food you are giving per meal. We use a common 8 oz. standard kitchen measuring cup to measure our feedings and therefore can continue your pup’s feeding quantity without change. We request that guests arriving with their own diet have each meal separated into individual bags for each meal, and label them.

Dietary Changes

While diarrhea is uncommon, it does occur. Our facility is cleaned and disinfected daily. In addition, each guest’s bowls are cleaned regularly. Also, throughout the day our Guest Suites are disinfected. If you consult the Merck Veterinary Manual all the suggested “prevention for diarrhea” is established, routine daily procedures are encompassed in our daily care.

While diarrhea is an uncommon and dreaded problem, we are aware that there could be problems in some guests while they are boarded and after they return home. We rely on feedback from our clients, and from local veterinarians, to make us aware of any problems which might occur such as diarrhea. A type of diarrhea which we see most commonly result from guests which receive a sudden dietary change. This type of bowel change usually manifests itself within 2 to 4 days from the start of boarding.

If this is noticed during boarding you will be informed at the time of checkout advising you of problems observed during your pet’s stay. In addition your veterinarian should be contacted for his/her advice and suggested treatment. Normal treatment for diarrhea is to restrict the diet for 12-24 hours, administer anti-diarrheal medication, and provide the guests with a bland diet of rice and boiled ground beef or chicken.

There are several methods to avoid an occurrence of this problem. First and foremost, I suggest that you bring your pup’s normal diet along and have us feed it. We have found over the years that a very high proportion of dietary bowel changes are eliminated by simply not forcing a change of diet. If changing your pup’s diet, it is recommended that this be done before their visit and gradually. Our “House Diet” is also available for purchase here at our kennel. Unfortunately, guests who do not have a similar diet at home could be subjected to bowel changes if not done gradually.

Treating Diarrhea and Loose Stool

Never hesitate to consult with your veterinarian!

Loose stools and or diarrhea are caused by many things (stress, change in diet or water, etc.) and should not be ignored or minimized. Never hesitate to consult with your veterinarian.

Here at Our Guest House there are several things which we do to minimize the effects of diarrhea and to try and shorten its duration. (This is a program advised by our consulting veterinarian and is not meant to conflict or contradict your veterinarian's advice.)

1-- Withhold all food for 12-24 hours (do not feed dairy products).

2-- After withholding food, feed a bland diet of boiled rice and boiled chicken or boiled ground beef for 2-3 feedings.

3-- After feeding rice, reintroduce your pet's regular diet mixed with the rice mixture over the next 3 feedings.

4-- Administer Pepto Bismol caplets (follow small child dosage) 2 times per day for 3 days from the onset of the loose stool.

5-- If bowel changes do not correct after 3 days, consult with the attending veterinarian.

Please understand that we highly recommend that if you are at all uncomfortable with your pet's health that you consult with your veterinarian to advise of your intended treatment regimen or to gain veterinary approval of your treatments.

What happens if my dog gets sick while at P.A.W.S.?

• Although it rarely occurs, we are experienced at recognizing illness. If this is the case we will provide transportation to the guests own veterinarian whenever possible. If this is not possible we will use a local veterinarian and seek immediate treatment to insure your dogs well-being.

Why is my dog thirsty when he or she first gets home?

• Even though all of our guests are provided with water 24 hours a day they will often seem thirsty when they first get home. This is not uncommon and is caused by the excitement and anxiety of being reunited with their owner. It is best to limit their water intake for the first hour after arriving home until they settle down.

Why is my dog so tired when he or she gets home?

• Are you tired when you get home from vacation? It’s no different for your pet! After spending time in a different bed and a different environment, having lots of fun, we’re all tired and in a day or two we are all back to our old selves again. It is never a bad idea to consult with your veterinarian.
  

Cancellation Policy

Kindly give at least 48 hours notice for a NON-HOLIDAY sleepover cancellation. Failing to cancel within the proper time frame will result in a 50% cancelation fee.

During holiday and school vacation stays, we employ a 10 day cancellation policy. Failing to cancel within the proper timeframe for a holiday overnight stay will result in a cancellation fee.

Separate policies apply and the cancellation policy differs for the "In Our Home" boarding, please inquire about these separate policies if you have elected for the  "In Our home" boarding. Thanks

Inclement weather and storms do not void the cancellation policy. Thanks

We are more than happy to accommodate your reservation request and value your business!  Please remember that we are holding your reservation request pending your pet's arrival.  Many times client's forget that our facilities are limited and that we become full.  When we reach our total occupancy capacity we have to refuse reservation requests and turn business away.  If you do not cancel your reservations in a timely manner (at least 10 days in advance for holidays and peak times) we are unable, in most instances, to re-book the space we have held for you.  This forces us to lose revenue. Thank you for your understanding and support!!