The request applies to check-in and to check-out, and it takes less time than it sounds.
What happens at the car
When you arrive in the parking lot, stay in the car with your pet and a staff member comes out. Your food, bag and paperwork go in with the staff member, and your dog is walked to the kennel on a leash. At pick-up the same thing runs in reverse.
The reasons
Several dogs and owners arrive in the same windows, 7:30 to 11:30 AM and 2:00 to 5:00 PM. A dog stepping out of a car into a lot full of other dogs can get startled, and a dog slipping a collar is the kind of escape no one wants. Keeping pets in cars until staff are ready prevents both.
- Fewer dog-to-dog scuffles in the lot
- No escape artists bolting from an open door
- Staff handle the leash from the first step
Hot days
In warm weather, leave the air conditioning on while your pet waits. Pavement can get very hot for paws, so staff may scoop up a small dog and move quickly to the shade. That is normal, not rushing you.
Before you arrive
Have your boarding agreement and vaccine records ready. If you have not signed the agreement yet, plan some extra time at the first drop-off. The drop-off and pick-up FAQ covers the hours.