Happy Hounds Pet Retreat – Policies & Guidelines

At Happy Hounds Pet Retreat, our policies are designed to support the safety, comfort, and well-being of every pet in our care, while allowing us to provide consistent, high-quality service to all families. Thank you for taking a moment to review them.

 

Feeding & Meals:
Please send your dog’s food from home to avoid stomach upset.

 

Food should be

  • Bagged per meal, or
  • Sent in gallon Ziploc bags clearly labeled with your dog’s name and feeding instructions.
  • Cans should also be clearly labeled.
  • Cats may eat canned food at no additional charge — please send whatever diet they normally eat at home.
  • Custom meal prep and meal add-ons are available if requested.

 

Bedding & Comfort Items

  • We provide raised sleeping cots and blankets for all boarding dogs.
  • Please do not send beds, mats, or pads with stuffing, as these can pose a safety risk.
  • Blankets are welcome, and familiar items that smell like home can be very comforting for some dogs.
  • Known blanket-shredders may have bedding adjusted for safety.

 

Potty Breaks & Outdoor Time

  • All dogs receive three included potty breaks per day.
  • Dogs are taken to fenced-in outdoor runs for safe, off-leash potty breaks.
  • Additional enrichment activities such as Nature Walks, Play Sessions, and Cuddle Time are available as add-ons.

 

Multi-Dog Households

  • Multiple-dog discounts apply to dogs from the same household.
  • Dogs may stay in separate kennels if needed, while still sharing playtime, potty breaks, or walks when appropriate.
  • We prioritize housing setups based on comfort, safety, and success, rather than encouraging shared spaces solely for cost savings.

 

Lobby & Parking Lot Etiquette

  • To ensure everyone’s safety and reduce stress:
  • All dogs must remain on leash in the lobby and parking lot.
  • If you forget your leash, a staff member will be happy to assist you to your car.

 

If another client is in the lobby when you arrive:

  • Please wait in your car, or
  • Take your dog for a brief potty break near the dumpster area

This allows us to avoid dogs crossing paths and ensures we can give you our full attention during drop-off and pick-up.

 

Medications & Health

  • Dogs must be current on Rabies, Distemper/Parvo, and Bordetella.
  • Cats must be current on Rabies and FVRCP.
  • Medications can be administered as follows:
  • Oral, topical, or injectable: $3 per dose
  • Complex care: $8/day max
  • If a pet arrives with fleas, treatment will be administered and billed at pickup.

 

Safety Procedures

  • Staff are trained in dog handling and canine body language.
  • Dogs participating in Nature Walks wear GPS tracking collars as an added safety measure.
  • Housing, handling, and activity levels may be adjusted if a dog shows signs of stress or discomfort.


Client Portal & Communication

All clients are asked to create a profile in our online system.

The portal is used for:

  • Reservation requests
  • Vaccination records
  • Report cards and updates
  • Invoices and payments
  • Uploaded vaccination records must be reviewed by staff before being marked as approved.


Our Commitment
We know every pet is different. Our policies allow us to provide structured, thoughtful care while maintaining a calm, safe environment for all guests. If you ever have questions or concerns, we’re always happy to talk through what’s best for your pet.