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Boarding Information for Dogs

Feb 7, 2026 | Uncategorized

Boarding Information for Dogs – how to bring food, what to do before and more

 

We are SO excited to have your pet staying with us however –

  • – We need to ensure that all pets are healthy
  • – That your pet is ready, so there are things to do before you go away
  • – That all pet food is brought in correct portions for each feeding
  • – what other things to bring or not bring
  • – and more, please read our full email

 

STOP

  • Due to the easy transmission of a fatal dog virus and Canine Bordatella, Let us know if in the past 30 days your pet has been to another boarding or daycare facility.
  • You only need to contact us if your dog has any symptoms below
  • KEEP IN MIND – if your dog has symptoms and must stay at home, we may be able to do pet sitting if we have openings in your area. Get registered with Professional Pet Sitting Etc to have this available to you
  • Let us know immediately if in the past 30 days, if your dog has been COUGHING, sneezing or has any other health problems.
  • Canine Cough/Kennel Cough does circulate 2 – 3 times per year in our area.
  • It is currently circulating in our area.
  • Any place where your dog can be around other dogs has the risk of being exposed to a respiratory disease or parasites.
  • Walking trails, dog parks, boarding/daycare, animal hospitals, etc, all have the potential for possible exposure.
  • Is your dog coughing, sneezing, runny nose? Any slight differences in bowel movements?
    • If so, please contact your veterinarian right away and keep your dog HOME away from other dogs.
  • Your pet may be placed on antibiotics or dewormer and must stay away from other dogs for a minimum of 14 (parasites may be longer until after a clean test)or more days once diagnosed.
  • Keep in mind, that if your dog exhibits any of the symptoms above, your dog will be placed in an area away from other dogs, you will be contacted to pick up your pet quickly for the safety of other dogs and to give your dog time to recover.
  • Here is more information – https://profpetsit.com/canine-cough/
  • AGAIN KEEP IN MIND – if your dog must stay at home, we may be able to do pet sitting if we have openings in your area.

 

NO SYMPTOMS – GREAT!!!

  • And Your dog has not been to a dog park or other boarding/daycare facility in the past 30 days and is healthy – PERFECT!!
  • Here are helpful ideas as you get ready for your upcoming reservation

Keep in mind –

  • TIPS – If you LOVE our service with our amazing staff, please let us know – If you would like to leave a tip – Gratefully appreciated

 

Client information for Boarding

In this informational email we will go over a few things

  • – What to do BEFORE boarding
  • – Emergency Numbers
  • – What to Bring, how to bring your food
  • – Allergies
  •  – If your pet does not eat while boarding
  •  – Bedding/Toys
  •  – Updates while boarding
  • – Drop off & Pick Up
  •  – Carriers
  •  – What to do when dropping off or picking up
  • – What to expect when going home
  • – What if I can not pick up on my scheduled pick up time
  • –  DONT FORGET ADD ONS to make your pets vacation with us even more FUN

 

WHAT TO DO BEFORE BOARDING

  • 2 or more weeks PRIOR to your reservation
  • Get your dog used to our boarding schedule for bathroom & feeding times to make it easier for your pets
  • This is our general Schedule for Boarding
    • Bathroom & feeding can occur at any time during the time frames below
      • Morning feeding & bathroom – 6-8am
      • Bathroom time for dogs not in daycare – 11-1pm
      • Supper feeding & bathroom – 3-5 pm
      • Last Bathroom time – 5-8pm
  • Check your reservation online and make sure it is correct.

 

EMERGENCY NUMBERS

  • Make sure we have ALL cell phone numbers that will be with you.  Give us a destination number (hotel with room number, campground number, cruise line emergency number, etc. )
  • Make sure we have TWO emergency names and numbers of local people you trust, just in case

 

WHAT TO BRING

  • Food, Medication, Bedding, Toys – See Below for full explanation
    • See ALLERGIES below

 

KEEP IN MIND

  • We can not be responsible for anything brought which may become damaged or lost.
  • So, only bring items that are NOT important to you and NEVER bring anything valuable or sentimental.

 

FOOD

  • Make sure to bring their food.
  • Portion out every meal in a Ziploc bag.  Put Pet’s name on each bag with date to be given and AM or PM meal.
  • Put at least 1-2 days extra, just in case you are delayed returning home for any reason.
  • By portioning out each meal, there is no guess work and you will always have the correct amount of food.
  • It is essential to keep pets on their own food to prevent digestive upset with a food change.

 

ALLERGIES

  • If your dog suffers ANY allergies, let us know
  • Attending Daycare while boarding (Enrichment Play) – If your dog has any FOOD allergies, you will need to provide treats that are acceptable
  • You will need to provide these special treats for ALL dogs that will be in your dogs activity groups.
  • If you wish to not bring these special treats for group activities, your dog can abstain from any activities that require treats for multiple dogs but keep in mind, there are many multiple dog activity groups

 

NOT EATING WHILE BOARDING

  • Boarding for any pet can be stressful and may result in loss of appetite.
  • Even the best eaters at home, may have a loss of appetite while boarding.  Pets can become stressed with a new environment, new routine, different surroundings, missing owners, missing home or other reasons.
  • If you have a picky eater, this can be a challenge.
  • Even if your pet has boarded before, pets can stop eating for any reason.
  • Please inform us of how you get your pet to eat.  Include in your food bag, special treats that are so enticing that your pet never refuses.  If you have a picky eater, try things at home BEFORE boarding to see what they go crazy with and readily eat no matter what.  If you can get them to go crazy over chicken or deli roast beef, please bring it so we can get them eating.  Keep in mind, that even if they eat these at home, they may not want it while boarding but we will try whatever you bring.
  • Put your special treats in a separate ziploc with emergency treats on it and let us know if it needs to be refrigerated.
  • We monitor food intake. The first 24 hours of boarding, many pets eat less or even skip meals.
  • However, if we see that your pet is not eating most of their meals or even not at all after the first day, we will try your special treats, etc.
  • If they are eating most of each meal while boarding, even pets that eat everything at home may not eat everything while boarding, your pet will be fine but you may notice a bit of weight loss, which will rectify when they go home.
  • If we can not get your pet to eat anything after we try the special things you bring, we need to contact you.
  • If you want us to do anything differently, then what is above, you will need to inform us.

 

MEDICATION/supplements/herbs

  • Medications MUST be on your reservation & in profile for us to give.
  • Your pet must be good with taking medications, we do not want your pet stressed by forcing.
  • Taking medication in treats or food is best.
  • If your pet takes tablets or capsules, ask your veterinarian if medications can be crushed or emptied in food – some can, some can not.
  • If your pet always eats their food, this maybe a great way for medications to be given.
  • Medications need to be cut into correct doses is tablets.
  • For example if your pet takes ¼ tablet am and pm, CUT tablets into ¼ .
  • Medication should be portioned out for day and time (am/pm) given.
  • As with food, we suggest adding 1-2 days just in case you are delayed.
  • Like your pets’ food, medications can be portioned out in Ziplocs with Pet’s name on each bag with date to be given and AM or PM meal.
  • Maybe your pet takes 3 meds in morning and only 2 at night.
  • The Dollar Store has  day pill containers for daily or for daily AM/PM if your pet takes medications both in the morning and evening.
  • Mark all with your pet’s name, date and am/pm.
  • CAUTION – DO NOT PUT MEDICATION MIXED IN WITH FOOD.  The oils in the food will disintegrate many medications.

 

BEDDING/TOYS

  • We will provide bedding, however, if your dog is a chewer of anything like bedding or boredom, we do not want a dog to choke.
  • You are welcome to bring bedding and toys, please put everything in an easy to carry bag with their name on it for easy identification.
  • BEDDING – if you bring bedding, bedding must be washable and able to fit in a washing machine easily
  • Reminder, We can not be responsible for anything brought which may become damaged or lost.
  • So, only bring items that are NOT important to you and NEVER bring anything valuable or sentimental.

 

PLAY DATES

  • If you daycare to your reservation and you attend our ongoing Enrichment play daycare program, your dog will attend as normal.
  • If you do not attend and chose the PLAY DATE, keep in mind that Play Only is available for dogs that are boarding 8 or more days at a time.
  • We do very slow introductions so we may only introduce 1 – 2 dogs and not a full group.
  • This will also be with dogs that we know are easy to introduce and great with all dogs. If on the days your dog is boarding, we do not have trustworthy dogs to play or if dogs do not seem comfortable in any way, we will give your pup private play sessions (equal to the cost) to have fun with our counselors and toys.

 

NOT 100% HOUSEBROKEN – EXTRA DAILY CHARGE

  • What goes into our prices – Read More
  • There will be an extra daily charge for all pets not 100% housebroken, uses pee pads or soils while boarding.
    • There are TWO EXTRA charges for different things
      • Daily Charge for all the extra cleaning
      • Puppy charge for each added extra time to go out
        • Puppies that need to go out every 2-3 hours will be charged for this extra time –  Added 3x/day so they will go out more than a normal dog on our schedule below – choose play time, on reservation
        • If Enrolled in our Enrichment Play Daycare program, the extra time will not be necessary as they will be out most of the day
    • These charges will stay in effect until your dog has a minimum of 2 reservations of 5 days or more with NO accidents in their Suite
  • Get your dog used to our boarding schedule for bathroom & feeding times to make it easier for your pets
  • This is our General Schedule for Boarding
    • Bathroom & feeding can occur at any time during the time frames below
      • Morning feeding & bathroom – 6-8am
      • Bathroom time for dogs not in daycare – 10-1pm
      • Supper feeding & bathroom – 2 – 4 pm
      • Bathroom time – 5-8pm
    • Healthy adult dogs do absolutely fine with this schedule and have no issues
    • We advise getting your dog used to this schedule 2-3 weeks prior to boarding or pet sitting (the schedule you make a s a reservation, everyone chooses 3x /day)
  • If your pet is NOT housebroken or uses pee pads at home, bring more pee pads then we will need for your pet’s entire stay with us.
  • Some pets may soil inside when boarding. To keep pets in a clean environment, this takes alot of extra time and products to clean suites, sometimes multiple times per day.
  • There will be an extra daily charge for all pets not 100% housebroken, uses pee pads or soils while boarding.
    • These charges will stay in effect until your dog has a minimum of 2 reservations of 5 days or more with NO accidents in their Suite
  • We will NOT be able to use any bedding that you bring for pets that are not 100% housebroken, as we can not wash any bedding before they go home.
  • If your pet becomes dirty because of soiling in their suite, we will wipe them off but we are not able to give them a full bath.
    • We do not have a groomer on staff and we do not have time to bathe dogs, unfortunately.
  • Why would your pet have accidents while boarding if they do not have accidents at home?
    • If your dog was at a rescue/shelter/puppy mill, they are allowed to go to the bathroom in their kennels and while boarding, they may think it is okay
    • Your dog is not on the same schedule as we are for letting them outside
    • Your dog prefers to PLAY when outside doing nothing and then comes inside and realizes they have to go
  • POTTY COMMANDS – let us know your potty commands – such as Hurry up, go potty, do your business, etc

 

UPDATES WHILE BOARDING – How is my pet doing?

  • Our program does not allow routine updates
  • We will only contact you if there is a question or if your pet has a problem
  • If you would like an update, please email us and we will return your email once
  • Please no phone calls as we are very busy caring for pets
  • When we are caring for boarders, we do not have our phones with us, so photos are not routinely done

 

DROP OFF/PICK UP TIMES ARE SCHEDULED FOR A SAFETY REASON

  • DROP OFF and PICKUP TIMES – Must be scheduled to be exact or close
  • CAUTION – We advise choosing 430pm or earlier for pickup, so that if you run into traffic, etc you still have time.  We do not advise choosing 445pm, as you do not have much time before we close at 5pm
  • Let us know as soon as possible if times will change via email and or phone call
  • Please note, we try our best, but if we are busy we may not get your message for a while
  • Scheduled  drop off/pick up times  are for the safety of all pets and people,
  • so we only have one family in our lobby at a time.
  • This also helps us to be ready when you arrive to be quick and efficient
  • so you can get to work or an appointment on time.
  • CAUTION –
    • If you see a person or a dog in our lobby, you must wait in your car. We do have some dogs that are very protective of their owners.  Thank you

 

WHAT IF I AM LATE FOR PICK UP OR CAN NOT PICK UP MY PET

  • You have options, please review all in link below
  • CLICK TO VIEW, if link not live, copy & paste in browser
  • Reminder – If you see a dog or client in the lobby, please wait until they leave to enter the building for the safety of all pets.
  • Saturday/Sunday
    • Saturday drop off & pickup times are ONLY scheduled for an extra cost
    • Sunday and most Holidays,  there is NO pickup or drop off for boarding

 

LEASHES/CARRIERS

  • Keep all pets on a secure leash or in a secure carrier for SAFETY
  • We are on a very busy highway and do not want any pets getting loose
  • Collars and harnesses should be tight enough that you can only place TWO fingers underneath
  • so pets can not accidentally squiggle out of them
  • FLEXI or flexi type leashes (retractable)
    • Please do NOT use these leashes.
    • They are hard to control your pets with and are DANGEROUS
    • They break unexpectedly and they have caused loss of fingers and injuries to pets

 

HOW WE CALCULATE BOARDING CHARGES

  • What goes into our prices – Read more
  • We charge for each day your pet is with us.
  • It will start on the day they ARRIVE and end the day they DEPART.
  • So if your pet arrives on a Tuesday and departs on a Thursday, that will be 3 days that will be charged.
  • We must give your pet the same level of care every day they are with us, in fact on the arrival and departure days, we do a bit more
  • On arrival day, we must prepare their suite with beds, water and food dishes.
  • On arrival, We go through their food and belongings.  We arrange it in their area to be ready to give.
  • Depending on their arrival time, they may need to be fed once or twice and outside time 1-3 times on that day, even if they are also attending our daycare program.
  • Plus Give love and attention.
  • On Departure day, depending on what time they leave, they may need to be fed once or twice and outside time 1-3 times as well.  Give love and attention.  We pack up anything that is going home with them.  Then we must clean the entire suite, wash bedding and dishes.
  • We want to make sure that your pet’s stay with us is very comfortable from start to end.

 

WHAT TO DO WHEN DROPPING OFF or PICKING UP

  • Be quick!!
  • When you are dropping off  or picking up, please be quick.
  • Your dog is getting use to the routine and is excited, anxious and is not sure.
  • If your dog can hear your voice, they feel the need to be with you because they LOVE you.
  • Yet, they hear all the other dogs playing and they want to go see but they are torn.
  • So, make it easy on them and drop off quickly, so they can settle in and have a great day of fun and activities.
  • Mornings and Nights, we have lots of dogs coming and going and need to be ready for the next one.
  • We are also getting busy at these times and have a morning and night routine that we all have.
  • We LOVE talking and spending time with everyone but want to always put each dog first!!

 

WHAT TO EXPECT

  • During their stay, we will try to make your pet as comfortable as possible.
  • They will have time out for bathroom breaks during the day.
  • You can schedule Enrichment Play Daycare to get them out and active during the day
  • or you can add on any of our activities to make their stay even more fun.

 

GOING HOME

  • Your pet will be so happy to see you and be excited to sleep in their own bed just like us!!!
  • They may go home and just sleep.  This is normal.
  • They may get right back into their own routine of eating, sleeping and bathroom habits
  • or it may take some a few days to get back to their routine.  Both are normal.
  • Some dogs may experience some diarrhea, this can be normal as well as some dogs experience this with any changes in their lives.
  • Some dogs will go home and drink lots of water.
  • For whatever reason, some dogs will do this but we assure you that we provide water 24/7 for all pets.
  • Some dogs may experience hoarseness,
  • this is normal from barking and playing with their buddies if they are not normally do a lot of barking at home.

 

Give them lots of LOVE, they are very happy you are home!

 

Thank you for trusting us with your pet’s care,

 

Every one at the Animal Care Center of NH

 

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