FAQ
What should I bring for my pet's stay at the kennel?
Click here for our what to pack check list
What is the check in and check out procedure?
Excitement and anticipation is always running high at arrival for both the pets and the parents. We have a small front office area so we ask for everyone's safety that you please have your pet on leash, in a crate or leave them in the car if drop off area is occupied already. When brought in on leash, an employee will take the pets through the building, while you remain in the drop off area (employees only) then will return and go over all details needed for their stay. Same for any animals in crates, bring them into the drop off area and will will take them through for you. This has proven to be the best for the animals comfort as well. Only the main drop off area is accessible to the public, for a variety of safety reasons. We will ask you a few brief questions about your pet's feeding (how much they are fed a day and how often), if they are on any medication or have any conditions we should know about, get an emergency contact and vet information from you and have you sign our boarding contract. Let us gage the drop off procedure, if the pets are ready to get outside and play within a few seconds then we will get them straight outside, or if it seems like they need a few moments they it's best to wait and let them settle in. Either way, let us decide when is best, as we see many dogs and can usually gage what's best.
Check-out is also very brief. While we run your charges for your pets stay we will be happy to answer any questions about your pets vacation, then will get the pets from the kennel area for you and get you all on your way home!
Pricing Info
We are open 8-11 am, then closed, then open 4-7pm for drop offs and pick ups. That is the same as Daycare or a 1 Day Stay. Make sure you come during one of those windows. That is also how our pricing works – each of those windows (8-11 and 4-7) is considered a half day, and you are charged by the collection of half days for your total bill. For example if you drop of Friday 8-11am and pick up Sunday 4-7pm , that is 3 full days. Or if you drop of Friday 4-7 and pick up Sunday 4-7 that is 2.5 days. Daycare (8-11am until 4-7pm) is considered 1 day (1/2+1/2). Once forms are completed, you will received confirmation email, if dates are available, with a total cost based on your dates and times, and pay in advance via e-transfer for that total. Full bookings costs will be paid and any changes to dates will not result in changes of payment. If any extra days or expenses are made to the booking later will be paid at register during pickup. No refunds will be given for any cancelations, for any reasons, at any times after a booking has been confirmed. Full costs for original booking dates/times will be paid and no refunds for early pickups. You will pay full cost of your original booking, regardless of later adjustments.
Rates: (effective NOV 1/23)
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$30 (tx inc) per day for 1 dog in 1 kennel / $40 (tx inc) per day for 2 dogs in 1 kennel / $50 (tx inc) per day for 3 in 1 kennel / and so on, as per the number of dogs
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$20 (tx inc) per day for 1 cat in 1 kennel / $30 (tx inc) for 2 cats in 1 kennel / $40 (tx inc) per day for 3 cats in 1 kennel/ and so on, as per the number of cats
1 Day or Daycare is considered as 8-11am drop off - 4-7pm pickup (1/2 day + 1/2 day). 1.5 days is considered 8-11am drop off - 8-11am pick up (1/2 day + 1/2 day + 1/2 day). And so on, each window the pets are here counting as a 1/2 day with the final total being a collection of all 1/2 days for you final total.
Why don't you offer group play?
Because having dogs that are unfamiliar with each other can often pose a hazard as they may not get along with each other. Even under close supervision, it only takes a second for a situation to escalate and become dangerous. We do not want to run the risk with any pets. Our guests both old and new agree wholeheartedly with our philosophy.
Does my pet need vaccinations?
For the safety and well being of all our guests, basic vaccinations are required for dogs and cats.
Dogs must present records current for Rabies, Bordetella and Distemperment. Bordetella reduces the likelihood (but not guarantee) that your pet will contract one of the many varieties of this respiratory illness and airborne virus. It must be given at least two weeks proper to your dogs stay in order to provide maximum protection. As this vaccine is a live virus, it may produce a mild case of this virus in some dogs, so that is another reason to be given weeks before a kennel stay, so you can monitor your pet for any complications. It is given by injection or intranasal spray by your vet. The canine cough/bordetella vaccination required in the hopes it will prevent your dog from catching or spreading the virus. As your vet will tell you, this vaccine is required more often than the others, because (like a human cold or flu virus) it is always changing and adapting, so by all the pets being vaccinated it is the hope we can all help to stop any major outbreaks throughout the city. Canine cough is one of the least serious, but also most contagious/spreadable of the threes vaccines, which is another reason it is so important to have, for many occasions, not just for a kennel stay (dog parks, walking paths, grooming appointments, etc.).
Cats must present records for FVRCP and Rabies vaccinations. We require that your cat also receive vaccination for feline leukemia or has tested negative for the virus within that past year.
Failure to produce vaccine records (via email in advance of boarding) will result in disapproval of entry into the kennel, regardless of a previously made booking - for the safety of everyon'e pets. Entering with outdated records will also absolve the kennel of any responsibility of illness.
Will someone interact with my pet?
We have a full time care staff who spend their entire shift making sure all of our guests have clean kennels, are fed and have plenty of clean water, and are getting their prescribed medications if required. They get to see your pets and ensure they are happy. That way if changes in behavior, eating habits, or sickness or injury happen, then hopefully staff will be able to notice and inform you.
Do you offer after hours pick up or drop off?
Not typically, no. It is best to plan for and expect all drop offs and pick ups will be made in the six hours (two windows) of business operation. But yes, but only in certain circumstances. We can not guarantee that a staff member will be able to meet you at your requested time so we request customers only use the specified windows. There is a minimum surcharge of $100.00 for any off-hours appointments as the staff member meeting you will be coming in on their own time after their scheduled shift is over, and only if arrangements have been made well in advance, not the day of. This fee is added on to your boarding bill.
Do I need to bring my own food for my pets?
It is always recommended to have the pets eat their own food, for multiple reasons. But, no you do not need to bring their food, unless your pet has special dietary needs, as we carry Nutra-Source dog food and cat food and there is no extra charge for feeding them our food.
Will you administer medication?
Yes, we simply ask that you bring the medication with you, along with a list of instructions of dosage to be given to your pet.
My pet has a favorite blanket or toy, should I bring it?
You are more than welcome to bring any special items from home. All we ask is that items are limit to two per stay, identify all of your pet's belongings (including toys and chew bones) with your pet's name in indelible marker to avoid mix-ups and be items that are easy to clean as accidents do happen.
Why don't your runs have grass in them?
Grass can harbor insects, is very difficult to sanitize, and would be very difficult to mow or trim. Grass can also cause digestive problems.
If my pet is scheduled for a bath, what time should I plan on picking up?
Pet's who are scheduled to have a morning pick up will be bathed the night before and pet's who are scheduled to have an evening pick up will be bathed the morning of pick up, same will be applied to those who have requested their pet's be groomed during their stay. If pick ups are changed without notice their will be no guarantee that your pet will be bathed or groomed before pick up.
I have a puppy, is it able to come for a stay?
Puppies are the best! Everyone loves puppies, just like us! But unfortunately a kennel, dog park or other multi-pet play areas can be quite a lot for a puppy to handle. While in this stage of early development, both physically and mentally, many puppies can develop a variety of different loves and hates. Socialization is an important part of a puppies upbringing. The last thing anyone wants is for their puppy to be overwhelmed and become stressed and develop a life long fear or dislike of kennels, parks, vets or other areas like this. For all breeds of dogs, we require them to be 7 months old. The reason for this is because kennels require incoming puppies to have had all the necessary vaccines before interacting with the current guests. Combining all these factors, and more, we typically will ask for your pet to be at least 7, preferably above 9 months old before joining in all the fun at our kennel! We want all the dogs to have a full, happy life of kennel play for years and years to come and this helps aid in a proper development and understanding of being at a kennel.
Do you have a cancellation policy?
We take a limited number of pets, and when we reach that limit, we begin to turn away booking requests and place pets on a Cancellation List. If we are able to find a spot for your pet you will be notified once we are able to confirm.
A minimum 72 hours is required for all cancellations. That way someone on the cancellation list will have an opportunity to replace you, anything less does not allow for the time required to fill said kennel with a waiting customer. The same if you don’t cancel at all ("no show"), and your pet doesn’t come in, we will keep any deposit or your outstanding cancellation fee will be added to your next visit, failure to pay will result in forfeit of your next stay. Your cancellation fee is equal to your initial booking amount.
Long Weekends and Holiday Seasons (Spring Break, Winter Holidays, etc) can book up months in advance and be extremely busy, adjusting your dates is acceptable once your expected stay nears closer, but failure to cancel or failure to make arrangements will result in the expected bill for the stay to be added on to your next visit with us or advanced payment will be retained. Failure to cancel not only effects us, but also other people hoping to board their pets.
Long Weekend and Holiday stays require a 3 day minimum, you are able to stay for a shorter time if needed but will be charged for 3 days, no exceptions.
Staff Cancellation - On the rare occasion that pets are unable to become comfortable and enjoy themselves, you or another approved party are responsible for picking up the pet upon communication (phone/email) from a staff member. Safety is important for all the pets but also for the staff, so if a pet has trouble adjusting and is found to be overly aggressive and dangerous, they will be required to be picked up and removed from the situation, at the discretion and judgement of the staff, no exceptions or excuses will be accepted. You will be charged for the duration of the pets stay but no more after such a cancellation is required. When filling out your booking forms, the emergency contact person is important because if there are any problems with the pets stay, you or they need to be responsible for this action as it would be required without delay.
How large are the kennels? Can 2 large dogs share a kennel?
Yes for sure! The large kennels are large stalls, think the size of a handi-capable bathroom stall. 6' high x 5' wide x 8' long. There are also smaller kennels and extra large kennels for the groups of 3 or 4 or more!
If you feel confident that your dogs will be happy together, we are happy to have them together! If you feel you require 2 separate kennels, then like a hotel, you pay by the "room".
Are the December Holiday Hours different?
Yes. It is the only time of the year when things differ slightly.
Dec. 24th 8am to 11am Open - 4-7pm Closed
Dec. 25th Closed for drop offs and pick ups
Dec. 26th 8-11am Closed - 4pm to 7pm Open
Dec. 27th Regular business hours
Dec. 28th Regular business hours
Dec. 29th Regular business hours
Dec. 30th Regular business hours
Dec. 31st 8am to 11am Open – 4-7pm Closed
Jan. 1st Closed for drop offs and pick ups
Jan. 2nd Regular business hours
Thank you so much! Hope to see you soon!
Cancellation/Contact Policies:
We take a limited number of pets, and when we reach that limit, we begin to turn away booking requests and place pets on a Cancellation List. If we are able to find a spot for your pet you will be notified once we are able to confirm.
Once forms are completed, you will received confirmation email, if dates are available, with a total cost based on your dates and times, and pay in advance via e-transfer for that total. Full bookings costs will be paid and any changes to dates will not result in changes of payment. If any extra days or expenses are made to the booking later will be paid at register during pickup. No refunds will be given for any cancelations, for any reasons, at any times. Full costs for original booking dates/times will be paid and no refunds for early pickups. You will pay full cost of your original booking, regardless of later adjustments.
Long Weekend and Holiday stays require a 3 day minimum, you are able to stay for a shorter time if needed but will be charged for 3 days, no exceptions.
A minimum of 72 hours must be given for all cancellations to all bookings. Less that time, or "no show" by customers, will result in payment for the entire cost of the booking or being transferred to the next stay to be paid in full in addition to that booking.
By agreeing to board your pet(s) with Golden Acres Boarding Kennel, you are agreeing to the terms and conditions of our boarding contract, signed or unsigned, and all requirements and agreements therein, including slander, liable, misrepresentations in all forms, and veterinarian related expenses and services and other unforeseen costs. And that all information requested and provided is accurate and truthful in regards to the wellbeing of your pets.