Why is boarding such a good option for pets?

People travel and often go places where pets are not allowed. Traveling with a pet has the risks of the pet getting scared and running off, or becoming sick. Changes are usually very stressful to a pet, especially cats, and traveling is a constantly changing situation. Boarding facilities provide a safe, caring environment with a staff trained to care for your pet and monitor their health while keeping them secure. A quality boarding facility gives a pet’s guardian peace of mind, knowing that their pets are safe and comfortable.

Why is it not a good idea to leave the pets with friends or family members?

Actually that can be an option if the person you choose is well trained in caring for pets, is around 24 hours a day, and if your pet gets along well with pets that the other person may have. It is a big responsibility to take care of another persons pet and can be inconvenient if the pet gets ill or runs away while in their care. Few yards and homes are as secure as a good boarding facility.

What if the pet doesn’t do well being boarded?

Although this happens rarely, it is a possibility, and when it does occur any reputable boarding facility will make you aware of your pet’s unhappiness and distress and will suggest other options. In these cases we always recommend the pet stay at home and that you hire a well qualified pet/house sitter who will stay at your home and watch over both your pet and home. When you go this route, always make sure the pet sitter is well qualified; they need to have the same level of knowledge of animal behavior and healthcare as any employee at a boarding facility. Additionally, make sure they have a backup staff in case they get sick or in an accident while caring for your pet.

What do we need to bring with us when we board our pet?

There are several things you should bring with you when boarding your pet.

1. If it is your pets first visit, bring proof of vaccinations. All dogs boarding at Green Acres must be have current vaccinations for Rabies, Distemper, and Canine Cough/Bordetella. All cats must have current vaccinations for Rabies and Distemper and we encourage vaccination for Feline Leukemia.

2. An emergency phone number where we can contact you or someone else if your pet requires emergency care.

3. Any medications, prescription or otherwise (e.g. Aspirin), that your pet requires. All medications should be in containers clearly marked with your pets name, the name of the medication, the correct dosage for your pet, and if a prescription, the name of the veterinarian.

4. If your pet requires food other than what we provide in the kennel, you should bring enough food for their stay. Green Acres feeds NutriSource food. If you wish your pet to be fed something other than what we provide you may bring your own food or purchase any of the food we sell at Green Acres. Any food you bring should be clearly labeled with your pets name and the amount they are to receive at each feeding.

5. If your pet will be picked up by someone other than yourself, please leave us with the name and phone number of the person(s) authorized to pick up your pet. We will not release your pet to anyone but you without this information. No pet will be released until your account is settled.

Can I bring my pets toys and bed?

Yes, you may bring your pets toys; however, when possible they should be clearly labeled with your pets name. We also suggest you limit yourself to bringing only one or two toys for your pet. You may also bring your pets bed, but please be aware that about 1 in 100 dogs will destroy their bed while staying at the kennel. While we try to prevent this, we can not make any guarantees. If you do not wish to bring your pets toys and bed, we will provide them with toys and bedding material that we maintain in the kennel. Any bedding you do provide will be washed the day before your pet is scheduled to go home.

How do I know my pet won't get fleas while boarding?

Each pet that boards at Green Acres is checked for fleas when they check-in. Any pet found to have fleas or flea dirt must have a flea bath before being admitted to the kennel. There is an additional charge for a flea bath. Each pet is then checked daily to make sure they do not pick up any fleas during their stay.

In 1997 we observed that many of our clients started to use some of the new flea control products available from their veterinarian (Program, FrontLine and Advantage). These products work very well and we encourage you to discuss them at your next veterinary visit.

How often will my pet get exercise?

During the warmer months the dogs are allowed free access to their indoor and outdoor runs from 7:00 AM until 7:00 PM. When we are heating the kennel, the dogs are allowed to use their outside runs several times during the day. The duration of this time is dependent on the weather. We encourage you to take advantage of our optional playtime programs if your dog or cat will be staying with us for more than 2 or 3 days. The dogs and cats really enjoy this extra interaction. The cats have runs filled with climbing posts and toys to keep them occupied. We also have two large cat playrooms which we rotate the cats through during their stay.

What do my pets get to do during playtime?

We try to customize our playtimes to the activities that your pet enjoys, whether it be going for a walk, playing fetch, playing with other dogs, or sitting on a lap and getting petted and brushed. Dog playtimes may be conducted inside or outside. We will allow dogs to play with other dogs when requested by both clients, providing the dogs get along. Cat playtimes are conducted in one of the cat playrooms by a staff member who will play with your cat or cats.

How do you charge for my pets boarding?

We charge for boarding like a hotel charges for a room. You are charged for the day your pet is dropped off and for every subsequent day your pet is here after our 12 noon checkout time. Pets groomed on the last day of their stay are not charged for boarding that day.

How early should we make reservations and what is your policy on cancellations?

While we wish we could accommodate all of you that want to board your pets with us during major holidays, we only have a set number of runs. To ensure you get a reservation when you need it, we encourage you to book as soon as possible. Reservations for major holidays such as Thanksgiving, Christmas, February Vacation, and Spring Break generally need to be made 4 to 8 weeks in advance. Reservations for any summer weekend generally need to be made 2 to 4 weeks in advance.

Boarding is a seasonal business and we need to optimize our run usage during peak times. Some kennels do this by overbooking and then placing "extra pets" in crates. We do not believe in this practice because we do not feel it is fair to your pets or to you. Once we are full we maintain a waiting list. As we get cancellations, we call people on the waiting list to offer them the space and dates they have requested.

In order for this system to work, it requires that people cancel reservations in a timely manner. It is our policy that reservations must be canceled at least 72 hours in advance, or you will be billed for the dates and runs you reserved. This amount of time is necessary in order to fill the run that has been reserved. Thank you for all of your understanding and cooperation.