Frequently Asked Questions
General | Daycare & Boarding | Grooming | Training | Veterinary Services
General Campus Information
Can I take a tour?
Yes! You are always welcome to tour our campuses! During peak hours (essentially rush hour times) and holidays, please give us a quick call to check our availability to step away and show off our campus.
Is your campus safe?
Each of our campuses has staff on site (and awake!) 24/7 every single day of the year! It’s important to us that eyes are always on your pets ensuring they are happy, healthy, and doing well. The safety of our teams and all the pets on campus is our number one priority. Each member of our team has completed Knowing Dogs training, the most comprehensive training for daycare and boarding facilities–safety in group play, recognizing issues before they happen, and creating a safe environment is paramount to all we do. Ongoing trainings and refreshers also keep us all on our toes and knowledgeable in the latest in pet care–everything from recognizing lumps and bumps while bathing a dog to the latest in preventing spread of canine cough to new training games to keep our pets learning. Our facilities are also all equipped with security systems, including cameras and alarms, so we can all rest easy.
Daycare & Boarding
What’s required for my pets prior to coming to campus?
In an effort to protect your pet and others, all pets are required to have a minimum set of vaccines prior to joining us on campus. For our canine companions, we require proof of vaccination for Rabies, DHPP, and Bordetella. Additionally, each pup must have a negative fecal test in the last 12 months. Canine influenza is highly recommended, but currently not required. For our feline friends, we require proof of vaccination for FVCP and Rabies as well as a negative fecal test in the last 12 months.
We recommend vaccines be completed in advance of your visit. No time to get this done beforehand? No problem, one of our Wagly veterinarians can administer the needed vaccines / complete the required tests while your pets are with us. We’ll keep you up to date on the results and provide you a copy of the medical records when you pick up your pets! Please note, this may delay your dog’s ability to participate in group play until the vaccines have had an opportunity to “settle in”. To reduce the risk of respiratory disease, there is a mandatory 24 hour waiting period after Bordetella is administered prior to allowing dogs into group play. We will monitor your pet for any vaccine reactions and have them participate in play group when they are ready.
All pets must also be on an effective form of flea control. If fleas are found on your pet while on campus, we will first contact you and then start treatment immediately. This is an important step in safe-guarding all our guests.
For pups joining us in group play, those who are over 9 months of age must be spayed or neutered and have successfully completed a temperament evaluation.
What is a temperament evaluation?
Think of it as a meet-and-greet for dogs. A temperament evaluation helps us understand if your pup is a good match for group play as well as his/her style of play so we can best match him/her with the right play group. During this short appointment (20-30 minutes) we will also review with you your dog’s prior daycare and boarding experiences, how he/she plays with other pets (and people) in the household, dog parks, etc. Temperament evaluations are complimentary and best done in advance of your first daycare day or boarding stay. Give us a call to get your appointment on the books.
What if my dog is less social and doesn’t play well with others?
Not a problem–we get it, sometimes you just want to be alone. We can absolutely provide individual care for your dog! For boarding dogs, our Deluxe and Luxury options ensure your pet has privacy and scheduled one-on-one attention with our pet-loving staff throughout the day. All individual care dogs also have 3 potty breaks every day. There are no additional fees to boarding or daycare rates for our less social companions. To get your pup some additional love and attention, you can always add on other activities–a Neighborhood Walk to see the sights and sounds around campus or a Tuck-n-Tale to get them settled at night. Individual care isn’t just for boarding, we can accommodate our less social friends for daycare as well.
What does a daycare day look like for my pup?
Daycare involves a combination of structured learning and lots of fun! Your dog will learn how to play with others, learn new skills and make great friends.
Daycare days are structured into thirds: a third of the time will be fun, supervised play; a third will be relaxing/settling down; and the final third will be structured learning time.
Can I watch my dogs play with their friends?
Sure thing! Ensuring you have peace of mind while your pets are in our care is a top priority for us! You can find links to daycare group cameras on any of our campus location pages. Cameras are streaming every day during our primary play group hours (typically 9AM – 5PM though check your campus page for details). Just don’t blame us if you get caught at work!
Don’t be surprised if you’re not able to find your dog on one of our daycare cameras at various points during the day. Like children at an amusement park, many dogs will need a nap or a short break to relax.
Do I need to make reservations for daycare?
While we do accept drop-ins for play days, we strongly encourage you to call ahead / make reservations to ensure space for your pet. If your pup will be joining us regularly for daycare, you can always make a standing reservation with our campus team.
Do I need to make reservations for boarding?
To ensure your pets receive their best match in accommodations for their needs / wants, reservations for boarding are required. We have several options for our canine guests from individual care (for our senior or less social pups) to group play and slumber parties! Each dog will need to go through a short temperament test to best assess the right play group for him/her. Our feline companions will join us in our Whisker City condos. All guests are required to have current vaccination records and a negative fecal in the last 12 months on file. When you check in, we will review the details of your pet’s stay to ensure we provide the best possible experience while they are in our care and provide you peace of mind.
Should I bring my own pet food?
Of course! Dogs and cats can be very sensitive to any dietary changes and it’s not uncommon for them to have a bit of stomach upset while boarding (like moving in to a new home, it takes little bit to get used to all the various creaks and noises–plus they miss you!). Keeping them on their normal food helps ease the transition. We have a full food prep area and can accommodate fridge, freezer, microwave, special treats sprinkled on top–you name it, we’ve probably already done it!
We always have plenty of Blue Buffalo food on hand so should you desire, you are welcome to use our in-house food for your pet’s stay. This is free of charge. We recommend buying a small bag (available in our lobby) and start mixing it in to their food prior to their stay with us. This will help minimize any potential stomach upset with food changes.
Can I bring a few things to remind my pets of home?
A couple of items to help your pet settle in is a great idea. We encourage beds to stay at home as we will run out of space–we provide very comfortable bedding for them while they are here. Please note, if your pup is joining us for slumber party, we will not be able to put their belongings out with them.
Will you administer medications for my pet?
Absolutely! Wagly has a full veterinary hospital in each of our campuses. We are very comfortable administering medications to pets who are with us. When you drop off, one of our veterinary team members will review the medications with you. All medications must be in their original bottles / packaging and clearly labeled with the pet’s name and dosage instructions. There is a $2 charge for each administration of medications, $5 for shots. Each day, our Wagly veterinarians complete rounds with the boarding and daycare staff and will check in on medication orders for all pets.
Are intact males and females in heat allowed on campus?
Yes. For the safety of our team members and other dogs on campus, intact males and non-spayed females are required to stay in one of our Individual Care Deluxe or Luxury options and will receive one-on-one care while on campus. Because females in heat are stressful to male pups on campus, she is best suited to a stay in our Luxury suites where she will have private accommodations and individual care from our staff. There are no additional charges for females in heat.
Do you board cats or do cat daycare?
Absolutely–we love our feline companions! Cats are very independent in nature, but we know they need just as much love as dogs. Our cat accommodations are clean and comfortable, and all our feline guests enjoy regular and loving attention from our caring, experienced and certified staff. To provide them a safe and relaxing experience, our cat guests have their own special accommodations, Whisker City, in a dog-free section of our campus.
During the day, every cat will get some extended play time outside of their condo by themselves or with a housemate. Whisker City also seems to be a place where team members retreat on breaks for some quiet time which often means some more love and attention for your cats. Extra snuggles for kittens at no charge!
Male cats that are over 6 months of age must be neutered. Intact male adult cats “spray” to mark their territory which gives off a very potent, unpleasant odor that is hard to remove and stressful for our other boarders.
Do you board just cats and dogs?
Nope. We’ve been known to board guinea pigs, fish, and birds too. With a full service veterinary hospital on site, we are able to take many species beyond cats and dogs. Give us a call and we’ll find the right accommodations for your pets.
What should I expect after a boarding stay?
Expect your pets to be exhausted! It’s not unusual for them to take it easy for a few days after returning home from boarding. They will often be thirsty and hungry. We always have plenty of fresh water available and will help encourage them to eat, but some dogs and cats do not eat well away from home. We highly recommend at bath for dogs at the end of their stay; playing all day often makes them a little stinky, and everyone loves a clean and happy dog to come home to!
What happens if my pet gets sick while at Wagly?
With a full-service veterinary hospital on site, we are uniquely positioned to quickly care for daycare and boarding pets. Our veterinary team completes daily rounds of our daycare and boarding pets and our coaches are trained in monitoring pets closely for any changes in behavior or activity. Should your pet get sick while at Wagly, we will assess your pet’s condition and call you to review treatment options prior to proceeding with care. In emergency situations, we will first stabilize your pet. If we encounter/suspect communicable diseases, we will separate sick pets from the group and place them in our isolation ward in the hospital. Should your pet need extra close attention, we will move them to boarding in the hospital versus the standard boarding rooms.
Grooming
We’re just coming in for a grooming appointment, do I really need all those vaccines and tests?
Safety of all pets on campus is critical, this includes preventing the spread of disease among our canine companions. For grooming appointments, all dogs must have the required vaccines (DHPP, Rabies, Bordetella); a negative fecal test in the last 12 months is not required for a grooming visit, but is highly recommended for every pet.
Can I leave specific instructions of how I want my dog to look?
Please do! If this is your first visit to our grooming salon, we’ll have a short introductory meeting to make sure we are clear on how you want your dog to look. If you have photos or specific directions, please bring those with you as well.
Training
What training methods do you practice and recommend?
Positive reinforcement. Not only is this what we believe to be the best learning experience for you and your pup, but it is the safest method of training.
Anything I need to do before bringing my dog to training?
All dogs participating in our training classes must be current on their required vaccines (DHPP, Rabies, Bordetella) and have a negative fecal test in the last 12 months. Bring along your medical records to your first training appointment if they are not already on file.
Set your pup up for success! Bring them hungry — delay a meal so they are focused and motivated to work for the food. Get the “ya-yas” out — exercise your pup enough to get all the wiggles out, this will help them focus during training class.
Do you just use treats?
Yes & no. We want the dogs to want to work with us, so we need to reward them big time! It is difficult for our pups to focus at times and we can help them be successful with treats. We will train you to decrease the treats over time. Remember, you want to be paid for all the hard work you do, our pups want the same payment in cookies!
What should I expect after training classes?
A big part of training success is YOU, the pet parent. To get the most out of your training experience, complete the homework exercises with your dog. Best to get the whole family involved so desired behaviors are reiterated for your pup. If you are having any issues or are looking for some additional coaching, please let us know, we are here to help you and your pup have the best relationship possible!
Veterinary Services
Can I come in to see a Wagly veterinarian if I’m not a boarding or daycare client?
Absolutely. We are a full-service veterinary service hospital and happy to see you and your pet at any time! Our veterinary services are not exclusive to our daycare, boarding and grooming clients. To help us all get to know each other better, your pet’s first preventive care exam with one of our doctors is free!
Do you see just dogs and cats?
We know your family may extend to companion animals beyond cats and dogs. We see a variety of pets–from birds to hamsters and many things in between. Since many exotic animals require specialized training, give us a call and we’ll help find the right campus and doctor for you.
What should I bring to our first visit?
Please bring a current copy of your pets medical records, including vaccine history and current medications. We will review them together to make sure we have a solid understanding of your pets and their needs.
Are you 24-hour emergency clinic?
Nope. We are full-service, but not open 24 hours a day. If your pet is having a medical emergency seek out an emergency veterinarian close to you. We work closely with several emergency and specialty veterinary hospitals and are happy to provide you with recommendations.
What does “full-service” veterinary hospital mean?
Beyond your standard preventive care exams, vaccines, and flea prevention, we have the equipment and technologies to complete advanced diagnostics while you wait. Our digital radiography machines allow us to review results with you in the exam room the same day–no need to wait for days for the results of tests or xrays.
We also have a full pharmacy on site so you don’t have to make multiple trips to get what you need to help get your pet well. Each campus is equipped with advanced dentistry equipment, including xrays.
Do you do surgery on site?
Yes. We have a fully equipped surgical suite with advanced equipment and supplies. Prior to surgery, we will review with you blood work for your pet to ensure he/she is in good shape to undergo anesthesia. If your pet stays with us overnight after surgery, we have staff on site 24/7 and your pet will be checked regularly.