General Information for Boarding, Daycare and Group Play
The purpose of What A Good Dog’s Center is to provide a safe, fun, healthy and stimulating social environment for dogs. To ensure the safety and health of your pet and our other guests, we require all guests to comply with the following rules and regulations.
Admission:
Our philosophy and physical set up require that all dogs can be handled for feeding and cleaning of enclosures by our staff. Inappropriate behavior may result in termination of future boarding privileges. Inappropriate dog behavior includes, but is not limited to, growling, snapping, biting or excessive stress exhibited in continual barking, pacing, and/or destruction of property.
Overall health:
All pets visiting the center must be in good health. For the protection of other dogs in our care, any pet with a communicable condition will not be allowed. Pets adopted from shelters need 30 days in-home prior to admittance to our facility. Pets who have been ill with a communicable condition within 10 days prior to his/her arrival will require a veterinarian’s certification of health upon being admitted to the facility. Pets must be on an effective flea and tick control program; if fleas are found at check-in, a mandatory flea bath will be given.
AGE:
All dogs must be at least 3 months of age to be eligible for Group Play.
Sex:
Neutering is not required, but may be recommended if hormones create potential “issues” in group play. Females in season may not attend group play.
VACCINATIONS:
Our policy is designed to protect the health of all pets in our care while also supporting growing concerns in the pet community about potential health risks of over-vaccination of pets. Our vaccination policy meets kennel license requirements for the state of Pennsylvania. Accordingly, we verify current Rabies vaccination for pets over 16 weeks of age. We require for our files a copy of your current Rabies Certificate from your veterinarian. We need a copy of this certificate, not an invoice showing the rabies was given or a reminder notice. We defer to each pet’s owner/veterinarian team regarding recommended vaccination protocol for that pet.
What A Good Dog does not require Bordatella (“kennel cough”) vaccination. Many veterinarians recommend the vaccination prior to boarding or participation in daycare. What A Good Dog asks that the injectable vaccination be given at least 10 days prior to boarding or initial participation in group play. It takes 7-10 days for the injectable Bordatella vaccination to confer immunity. We ask that the intranasal or oral Bordatella vaccination be given at least 3 days prior to boarding or initial participation in group play. It takes up to 72 hrs. for the intranasal or oral Bordatella vaccination to confer immunity. Dogs given the intranasal or oral Bordatella vaccine will not be allowed in group play for 72 hrs. after being given the vaccine. Please be aware that even though your dog has been vaccinated, it can still acquire “kennel” cough.
DOg license:
All dogs age 3 months or older are required to have a Pennsylvania Dog License. Please see website for further information:
http://padoglicense.com/
We request evidence of a current Pennsylvania Dog License. Failure to provide up-to-date license verification may result in a fine, for the owner, up to or greater than $300.00 from the Chester County Dog Inspector.
CHeck-in & check-out
Please allow several minutes to give us some time to acquaint ourselves with your pet and its social and medical history (approximately 15 minutes) for their first visit. At this time, as on each check-in, we will briefly examine your pet for obvious health problems and confirm reservation details. We require paperwork for each boarding stay (including vaccination and dog license) to be submitted 72 hrs. prior to scheduled reservation. A $25.00 fee will be added for paperwork submitted within 72 hrs. of thereservation.
Boarding: 8:00AM – 11:30AM and 1:00PM – 4:00PM
Boarding check-ins earlier than 8AM and check-ins later then 4:00PM are subject to an additional $25.00 charge.
Daycare/Group Play: Check-in: 7:30AM – 9:30AM, Check-out, by 7PM
Check-in and check-out times outside of this schedule are subject to an additional $10.00 charge.
Note: If your available check-in/ check-out time(s) do not fit with our preferred schedule, we will try to work with you to find a mutually acceptable time; however, these times must be scheduled in advance and will be subject to an additional charge.
Deposits & cancellations:
A deposit is required over holiday and peak season boarding stays. A deposit is fully refundable if cancellation is made at least 72-hours prior to scheduled arrival. Deposits are non-refundable for a cancellation within 72 hrs. of the scheduled reservation.
HOLIDAY WEEKENDS/PEAK SEASON:
Holidays include: New Years, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. Peak season is from Memorial Day through Labor Day. Our office is CLOSED for arrivals and departures on the following holidays: Thanksgiving, and Christmas.
meals:
In an effort to make your pet’s stay with us as stress-free as possible, we feed your pets what they eat at home, the same amount of food and the same number of feedings as at home. All dry food feedings should be bagged per meal. Bags should be clearly labeled with your dogs first name and first initial of last name. If your dog is staying for more than 2 weeks, you may bring the food in a single container. We ask that you provide 1 – 2 extra meals in the event your return is delayed. In the event that additional food needs to be purchased, a charge will be added to your invoice for the food and travel.
PLEASE DO NOT MIX SUPPLEMENTS OR MEDICATIONS WITH THE FOOD.
Please do not bring measuring cups, spoons or bowls.
ADMINISTRATION OF MEDICATIONS:
It is the responsibility of What A Good Dog to ensure the safety and health of your pet in all aspects of our care. Our responsibility includes administering prescription and non-prescription medications/supplements to your pet(s). While we have veterinary technicians on staff, other non- licensed staff administer medications. What A Good Dog has policies and procedures for the safe administration of medications/supplements. Like the administration of medications in human health care settings, our procedure includes:
“The Rights of Animals Receiving Medications”
1. Right Dog, 2. Right drug, 3. Right dosage, 4. Right time, 5. Right route, 6. Right documentation.
If a medication is to be given on an “as needed” basis, it is necessary for What A Good Dog to know what signs/symptoms your pet my exhibit to warrant administration of the medication. What A Good Dog will administer medication in cream cheese or peanut butter, per your instructions. If pill pockets are the requested method for administrating the medication(s) they must be provided by the owner or a charge will be incurred.
VETERINARY CARE/EMERGENCIES:
In the event your dog requires veterinary care, we will attempt to contact you. If we are unable to reach you, we reserve the right to utilize one of our consulting veterinarians to provide care. In the rare case of an emergency, we contact you, and utilize either one of our local consulting veterinarians or one of the local emergency veterinary services. For any health concerns that may arise, our pet care technicians maintain a detailed log. A veterinary service fee will be applied based on time and distance and charged to the customer.
Please refer to the What A Good Dog Pet Services Agreement/Liability Release for more detailed information.
ELECTIVE SERVICES:
The following services are available, with an additional charge, for owners who would like to choose extra amenities for their dogs during their boarding stay.
Fun Swim
Leash Walks
Brushing
Group Play
Playtime/Field Time
Board and Train
Personal Time
WHAT TO BRING:
We provide your pet with everything they will need; however, if you wish to bring the following, you may.
Treats
Safe toy (no raw hides or bully sticks), preferably 2-4 toys
T-shirt or small towel with your scent on it
Bedding, (a kuranda bed is provided for each pet)
Brush (if you elect this service)
Coat for colder weather
Food as described above