Vaccinations & Other Info

Worming

All pets coming into the kennels for boarding must have been wormed within the last 3 months. If your pet has not been wormed we will do this for you for a small fee.

Vaccinations

Dogs

Dogs coming into boarding kennels MUST have a C5 vaccination to be admitted. Dogs without a C5 vaccination will be refused entry into the kennel area. It is the responsibility of the owner to ensure their pet is covered.

C4: (Normal Vaccination for dogs) covers
Distemper, Infectious Canine Hepatitis, Parvovirus, Parainfluenza.

C5: (Required if you intend to board your dog) covers all of the above in addition to
Canine Bordetella (Kennel Cough).

Cats

F3: (Normal Vaccination for cats)
All cat to be boarded must have an up to date vaccination.

Boarding Your Pet For The First Time
Making It Easier For Both of You

A lot of pets (and some owners too!) experience some anxiety when their pets are boarded at a kennel, or even any place that's not home, for the first time.
These helpful hints will hopefully make this first time a little less nerve-wracking and stressful:

Preparing For Boarding

* Make your reservations early:

Most kennels are booked up on holidays and during vacation times. If you wait until the last minute to make your reservations, you may be disappointed.
As you make your reservations, verify those items that are essential to bring with you to the kennel:

Immunization records - Making sure that all immunizations are current-certificates must be sighted by kennel personal
Special food – science diets, cooked foods, tinned and dry food, frozen meals etc
Medication

* And any other Items can be bought In:

Bedding - Bring his favorite blanket, cushion, or if he hasn't one of his own, sacrifice a sweatshirt or something you wear frequently, unwashed, so it smells like you, to help him calm once you are gone.
Toys and any other items - Any of his favorite toys; a Kong, a stuffed animal he likes to cuddle with, a squeaky toy….

If you have more than 1 dog / cat that will be boarded consider boarding them separately for any length of time. It is surprising how many pets who live in perfect harmony at home will disagree when boarded together particularly at mealtimes. This may be due to the stress of change of environment and confinement, but it is important they can be separated if necessary. ThIs eliminates the risk of fighting and unnecessary medical treatments.

Make arrangements for any special services that you wish to have performed while your pet is in the kennel ( woofer wash & grooming available, worming, nail clip).

As you make your reservations, find out what type of payment arrangements are acceptable (cash, eftpos, personal cheques, money orders).

* Prepare your pet for boarding:

On the day of departure, act as if it's nothing out of the ordinary. Try to be calm while packing and getting ready to leave home, Pets sense and reflect our emotions. Your pets can be made to feel unnecessarily anxious about the kennel visit.

Try not to have an emotional ' farewell ' scene. Once you drop him off, leave.
Do not drag out the good-byes, or make a fuss, or act like you are leaving for a week (even if you are). If you drop him off and make like he's just going for a play-date, he won't be as stressed out, and your leave-taking will be much easier if you don't have to deal with a freaked-out and screaming dog.

Every time you return your dog is less likely to affected by "separation anxiety" and can enjoy boarding more.

Pets, like people, usually appreciate a vacation in new surroundings with new friends. Dogs, once they become familiar with their new surroundings, have a marvelous, exciting time, almost like kids at summer camp.

If your dog has never been boarded before, you might consider short, overnight stays at the kennel prior to an extended boarding stay to help him or her get used to boarding.

As a rule, kittens take to boarding easily and have a wonderful time.

Adult cats usually display a very nonchalant attitude towards boarding and prefer to sit quietly and observe the daily kennel routine. They don't seem inclined to make new feline friends or participate in play, but seem content to rest, eat, make friends with the people passing by and purr.

Don't change your pets diet or overfeed your pet right before going to the kennel. The extra food is not really necessary and any changes in diet may result in an upset stomach.

* Checking in during business hours:

Bring all agreed upon medications, etc. Make sure that medications list the prescription drug name, strength and dosage instructions as well as the name of the pharmacy so the kennel can obtain a refill if your return is unexpectedly delayed.

Allow enough time in the kennel office to fill out the necessary paperwork. The kennel needs to know such things as: name, address, phone number, return date, additional services requested, where you can be reached in case of an emergency, the name of a local contact, your veterinarian's name and phone number, special feeding instructions (if any), medication instructions, etc

If your pet has any special problems that are not covered on the check-in forms, such as fear of thunder, epilepsy, or deafness, please point them out. All of this information helps our kennel take better care of your pet, especially if there is any type of emergency requiring special action.

* Relax and enjoy your trip:

* Picking Up Your Pet

When you return from your trip, here are some things that can help you and your pet to have a happy homecoming:

* Pick up your pet during the kennel's normal business hours:

* Ask about your pet's stay at the kennel:

Did your pet adapt well to kennel food, routine and environment? Did he or she display any unusual behavior or require any special handling? This information will be entered on the kennel's records, to assist in caring for your pet during the next stay, but you should also be aware of it in the event that you move or use the services of another kennel in the future.

* Do not feed or water your dog for at least four hours after returning home:

Cats adapt to their return home with the same easy acceptance with which they adapt to boarding, but dogs can become very excited when you return. And, when dogs become excited, they tend to gulp food and water. Unfortunately, owners who allow their dogs unlimited access to either food or water immediately after returning home, frequently trigger vomiting and/or diarrhea. If your dog appears to be thirsty, provide a few ice cubes, rather than water. Let him or her calm down (about four hours) before offering food.

* Contact Us

If you have any questions about your pet's behavior after returning home- please contact us.
Sometimes pet owners become unnecessarily concerned about a behavior, which is completely normal. For example, many dogs tend to sleep almost continuously for a day or two after returning home. This is usually a result of being back in a relatively calm environment after the excitement of the kennel. Or your dog may be quieter than usual, or seem to ignore you.
What you are seeing is the effect upon a dog that is, at home, generally placed upon a pedestal and granted privileges which, if it were a wild dog, would be granted only to the highest ranking.
Kenneling such dogs reduces their status. At the kennel they most dogs are treated the same as the other dogs. When they return home, until they manage to climb back up the pecking order ladder, they will display all the canine body postures of the under-dog within your canine/ human pack. If called, they will approach in a subdued fashion and will avert eye contact. They will not initiate any play activity and they will hang back slightly when you go through doorways and narrow passage ways. This is normal canine behavior.
Don't be alarmed. If, like us, you treat your dog like a long lost best friend, then he/she will within a matter of days resume the high rank in your family pack.

(Some dogs may given extra attention If necessary - e.g.. very timid, older dogs, pups, fear-aggressive dogs to help them adjust to their new environment)