frequently asked questions

Current Vaccinations Required

All guests, whether playcare, overnight, or grooming, must be fully vaccinated. By law, every dog at our facility must be up to date on RABIES. NO EXCEPTIONS WILL BE MADE REGARDLESS OF AGE OF DOG. By policy, and for the wellbeing of all our guests, we also require proof of current vaccination status for DISTEMPER, HEPATITIS, PARVO, PARAINFLUENZA, and BORDETELLA. You must provide written documentation the vaccines have been administered under the guidance of a veterinarian. If the Bordetella, DHPP, and Rabies vaccine have never been given, or if they have  expired, a 7-day waiting period is required after the administration.

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What should I bring when boarding my dog?

Please feel free to bring along your dog’s favorite blanket to help your dog feel a little more comfortable. Toys may also be brought, but please limit it to 2 durable and trustworthy toys. We are not responsible for lost or damaged items. Please know that during the intake process, our staff may choose to not take your belonging/s if they feel it is unsafe or easily damaged. 

 

Should I bring my own food?

We highly recommend that you bring the food that your dog is used to. This helps with any sensitive stomach issues and also helps them feel at home. Please bring their food in sealed containers and enough for their stay.  If needed, we can provide our high quality food, Open Farm, for $1.50 per cup. 

 

Behavior Assessment

We require all Playcare dogs pass a social evaluation that helps assure a good “fit” with all other play care guests.

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Who is eligible for play care?

All dogs are welcome. All dogs must be spayed or neutered if over 1 year in age and females cannot be in heat! All sizes and ages are welcome. We match up play groups by temperament and age. ALL DOGS will be evaluated on 1st visit. All dogs must meet our vaccination requirements. Any dog over 1 year in age that has not been neutered or spayed will not be able to join our daycare program. If your dog is not well socialized or has not been spayed or neutered, our day boarding is an option.

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Do dogs ever get hurt?
We do our best to minimize any injury to your dog, however, during normal play a dog may get scratches or nicks and may lose patches of hair. Although rare, it is possible for more serious injuries to occur.

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What do you do in case of illness or injury?
We assess the situation to determine a plan of action. Our primary concern is always what is best for the dog. Depending on the situation, we will either take the dog to a vet, or we will make the effort to take your dog to your own vet. We always try to contact owner to get permission for our chosen course of action.

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My dog has health issues, can he/she still come?
This depends on the health issues.  There are many health issues that we can accommodate, and we are happy to administer basic medications, however if your dog has a serious condition or requires multiple medications then we recommend boarding your dog at a veterinarian facility.  To discuss your dogs circumstances, please call.

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It seems like a zoo when I drop my dog off, is it always like that?
No. When we have new visitors, such as a new dog or person, the dogs often get very excited and you can usually see and hear this excitement. There is always some playing and barking going on, but the dogs usually settle down quite a bit once the new dog has been introduced.

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Does someone stay with the dogs overnight?
Yes.  We have a caretaker on site 24/7.  However, the caretaker is not available for check in or checkout.  They are there for security and safety of our guests.

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What if my dog doesn’t like coming or is scared?
Often, just like the first day of school for children, your dog can get a little nervous being in a new environment. The first few times there is a lot of stimulation, but with repeated exposure, your dog will realize that Three Dog Ranch is a fun and safe environment, and that you will always come and collect them. We recommend bringing your dog for half-day daycare a few times in order for them to get acquainted with the facility.

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Why is my dog thirsty when he/she comes home?
Water is available to the dogs at all times. Playing hard is just as strenuous as working out and often dogs will also be distracted by all their friends and so they will still need to rehydrate at the end of the day.