SOCIALIZATION REQUIREMENTS
In order to continue to provide our exceptional level of care, inadequately socialized guests (due to restrictions surrounding the current pandemic or otherwise) may be subject to an additional fee of $29 per night. We are a highly social facility and, due to an increased volume of requests to board dogs lacking adequate socialization, we have had to employ additional measures to ensure the wellness of everyone at our facility. Alternatively, if your dog is not socialized with other dogs, we recommend our Studio Suite where guests receive increased individual attention and private outdoor time. We do not accept dogs, under any circumstances, who are not human-friendly.
Most guests staying with us must be assessed by our staff prior to boarding. Most assessments can be performed during a Meet & Greet.
If we deem that further assessment is necessary, we provide a four hour assessment at our facility without the owner present, at a mutually convenient time. There is a fee of $29+HST for this assessment.
For those wishing to book a stay of five nights or more, if your pet has never boarded overnight with us, we require that ALL new dogs have a one-night trial stay (regular overnight rates apply) before committing to longer stays.
Temperament Requirements
- Dogs must be well tempered and non-agressive
- Dogs must be friendly and social with other dogs, people and children
- Dogs must be up to date with vaccines based on our requirements
- Dogs must be healthy and free from any signs of communicable disease
If your dog shows aggression, dominant or guarding behavior towards other dogs or humans, barks constantly while staying in his/her suite, continually messes or damages his/her suite, or has any communicable disease, we will not be able to provide boarding services for your pet(s).
Spay / Neuter Status
We are happy to accommodate pups who are not spayed/neutered, provided their temperament and social skills match our requirements. Males who continually ‘mark’ indoors may require the use of a Belly Band during their stay. We only use disposable absorbent bands and there is a charge of $5+HST/day. Females who are within three weeks of estrus (heat) on either side are subject to an additional fee of $55+HST per night.
Vaccination Requirements
Please note that these requirements may differ from the recommended vaccination schedule from your veterinarian. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact us!
RABIES
Due to regulations set forth by the Department of Health, our facility requires that each pet owner provide proof of vaccination for rabies. This vaccination must be up to date based on the duration stated on the vaccine label (eg. Imrab3 and Miral 3 is = 3 yr vaccine). Most rabies vaccines administered by veterinary clinics are 3 year vaccines unless stated on the label.
DHPP VACCINATION (DISTEMPER, HEPATITIS, PARVOVIRUS, PARAINFLUENZA)
We require proof that the dog has received at least ONE DHPP vaccination for the lifetime of the pet. We do not require that your pet is re-vaccinated annually. This vaccination is not required by law.
CANINE INFECTIOUS RESPIRATORY DISEASE COMPLEX (CIRDC, a.k.a. “Kennel Cough”)
It is common to use the term “kennel cough”, “infectious tracheobronchitis” and variations on “canine infectious respiratory disease complex” interchangeably. However, this is an overly simplistic view of a complicated syndrome. Disease is not limited to the trachea, nor does it always manifest as coughing. Clinical signs of canine infectious respiratory disease complex (CIRDC) may include sneezing, nasal and ocular discharge, and sometimes lower respiratory and/or systemic disease. Multiple bacterial and viral pathogens, acting both sequentially and synergistically, are associated with CIRDC. Canine infectious respiratory disease complex, almost by definition, is not a vaccine-preventable condition.
(source: School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Infectious Diseases, July 2015)
The most commonly administered vaccine against CIRDC is what most companion pet owners know as bordetella. We do NOT require the bordetella vaccine for your pet to stay. This vaccine is optional and we recommend that clients speak to their veterinarian and decide for themselves. If you choose to vaccinate against bordetella we REQUIRE it to be a minimum of TWO weeks prior to your pet’s stay. If it is close to the boarding stay we recommend not vaccinating. Being vaccinated with a bordetella product is not a guarantee that your pet will not contract CIRDC — much like receiving the flu shot does not guarantee you will not contract the flu.
World-renowned vaccination scientist, Dr. Ronald Schultz, says [emphasis is mine]: “Many animals receive “kennel cough” vaccines that include Bordetella and CPI and/or CAV-2 every 6 to 9 months without evidence that this frequency of vaccination is necessary or beneficial. In contrast, other dogs are never vaccinated for kennel cough and disease is not seen. CPI immunity lasts at least 3 years when given intranasally, and CAV -2 immunity lasts a minimum of 7 years parenterally for CAV-I. These two viruses in combination with Bordetella bronchiseptica are the agents most often associated with kennel cough, however, other factors play an important role in disease (e.g. stress, dust, humidity, molds, mycoplasma, etc.), thus kennel cough is not a vaccine preventable disease because of the complex factors associated with this disease. Furthermore, this is often a mild to moderate self limiting disease. I refer to it as the ‘Canine Cold.’”
Monahan Jordan, P. (2012 July 21) Bordetella: Does Your Dog Need the Kennel Cough Vaccine? Retrieved from http://www.truth4pets.org
PUPPIES
We welcome most puppies of all ages, however, we do require that they have received at least one round of core vaccines (DHPP) prior to boarding. We do not require puppies under 6 months of age to have received a Rabies vaccine. We may require a fecal test completed at the veterinarian showing negative for parasites for puppies or newly acquired (1 month or less) dogs.
Please contact us if your puppy is less than 14 weeks of age or has not been vaccinated after 12 weeks of age for distemper and parvovirus.
NON-VACCINATED PETS
In the event that your pet cannot be vaccinated due to a reaction or due to health concerns which prohibit being vaccinated safely (vaccine manufacturers recommend only vaccinating healthy animals), we are still able to provide your pet with boarding arrangements. We may ask that you provide a health clearance from your veterinarian stating why your pet cannot receive vaccinations and to confirm that your dog does not appear to have any communicable ailments within one (1) week boarding your pet at our facility.
VACCINATION ALTERNATIVES
In the event that your pet cannot be vaccinated, yet you are concerned about the potential for your pet to contract a communicable disease, we recommend that you consult with your veterinarian regarding blood titers. This form of testing involves blood tests which are performed to check your pets level of immunity for specific ailments. This is an acceptable alternative for those who are hesitant to have their pets vaccinated due to past reactions or are concerned with over-vaccination. Please note that these tests are still not mainstream, not all vets provide them, and they do take time to perform and obtain results. We will accept a copy of titre test results in lieu of vaccination records.
IMPORTANT NOTE ABOUT VACCINATIONS!!
WE REQUIRE A MINIMUM OF TWO (2) WEEKS TIME LAPSE BETWEEN VACCINATIONS AND BOARDING WITH US. NO EXCEPTIONS!
Your pets immune system may be in a compromised state immediately following vaccinations and they are vulnerable to communicable diseases. Additionally, modified live vaccines can be shed from your dog for up to two weeks following vaccination, and that could place other guests in a compromising position if they are sensitive to the vaccine.
If you do not vaccinate your pet, please contact us to discuss further. Just because you do not choose to vaccinate, does not mean your pet isn’t welcome at Tucked Inn Kennels!!