FAQs
FAQs
1. What kind of dogs are a good fit for your home boarding?
We’re best suited for adult and senior dogs who are friendly, fully house-trained, and comfortable in a quiet home setting with 2 or 3 other dogs. Dogs must non-aggressive, generally healthy, and able to be left alone for short periods (up to about 4 hours). We’re not a good fit for dogs with ongoing barking or howling that are difficult to settle. Very active dogs with high exercise needs may not be the best fit for our calm home home environment. Dogs must be fully continent, as we’re not equipped to provide incontinence care.
2. What is your Holiday Schedule?
Please see our Holiday and Peak Periods Schedule on the bottom of the page.
3. Do you accept puppies or dogs with special medical needs?
We welcome dogs 12 months and older, including relatively healthy seniors whose daily needs are similar to those of most adult dogs, aside from routine medications. Dogs requiring intensive, medical care, frequent or overnight potty breaks, injections, overnight medications, mobility issues, or incontinence management may be a better fit with a veterinary or specialized medical boarding provider.
4. Do you require a trial stay?
We don’t generally require a trial stay. In some cases, if we’re unsure about a dog’s fit after the meet-and-greet, we may recommend an overnight trial stay to make sure everyone is comfortable before a longer booking. Dog parents are also welcome to request a trial stay if it would help them feel more comfortable. Trial stays are billed at the full overnight rate and are non-refundable.
5. What’s included in standard care—and what might cost extra?
We offer personalized, home-based care tailored to each dog’s routine and personality. We’re home most of the time and and dogs are typically not left alone for more than four hours at a time. Standard care includes meals, basic medications with morning and evening meals, 30-minute daily walks, daily photo and video updates, individual playtime, and a cozy nightly tuck-in. Scent games and enrichment activities are also provided. We do not offer extended walks (30+ minutes), as our care is designed around a small, multi-dog home environment and a structured daily routine.
Our care is designed for otherwise healthy adult or senior dogs whose needs fall within a normal in-home setting. While routine care and simple daily medications are typically included, some dogs require additional time-intensive handling. Additional care fees may apply when a dog’s routine involves repeated handling or extra hands-on time, such as daily teeth brushing, extensive coat brushing (including long-haired or double-coated breeds), ongoing eye or ear treatments, frequent hygiene support, or complex or mid-day medication schedules.
Additional fees are not automatic, are assessed thoughtfully on a case-by-case basis, and are discussed in advance.
6. What if my dog gets sick during their stay?
We monitor dogs closely and will reach out right away if we notice any changes in health or well-being. We are conveniently located approximately 5 miles from a trusted local 24/7 veterinary emergency hospital which provides urgent and advanced veterinary services. If a dog requires veterinary care or a higher level of supervision than a home-boarding setting can provide, we’ll provide transportation, coordinate care and keep you informed. All veterinary and related costs are the owner’s responsibility.
7. Do dogs need to arrive freshly bathed?
Dogs should arrive clean, bathed within the past 7 days, and free of fleas or strong odors.
8. What are your deposit and cancellation policies?
A 50% deposit is required to hold your booking. (If the visit is 2 days or less, 100% of payment is due.) For non-holiday stays, cancel by 12:00 noon at least 3 days before the stay for a full refund. For holiday stays, cancel by 12:00 noon at least 10 days in advance. After these deadlines, the deposit is non-refundable. The remaining balance is due 7 days before the stay. We strongly recommend planning carefully before booking.
9. Are you licensed, insured, and background checked?
We are licensed and are fully insured through Small Business Insurers of the Carolinas with Liability coverage up to $2M. We began providing pet care through Rover, where we were required to complete identity verification and background screening before offering services.
10. What are your hours and late pick-up policies?
Our hours are 8:00 AM to 7:00 PM. If you need a later pick-up, we’re happy to offer after-hours pick-ups between 7:00 PM and 9:00 PM when arranged in advance, for a $25 after-hours fee. For everyone’s comfort and safety, we don’t offer pick-ups after 9:00 PM. If pick-up hasn’t occurred by then, your dog will stay overnight and be picked up the following day. Because boarding is reserved in full 24-hour periods, this additional overnight stay is billed as a full day rather than an hourly or daycare rate.
If a pick-up runs more than one hour past the scheduled time without advance notice, a $25 late fee may apply, along with any applicable extended-care charges. We always appreciate a quick heads-up if delays come up — advance communication often allows us to be more flexible when possible.
11. What vaccines are required for boarding?
• Rabies
• DHPP (Distemper, Hepatitis/Adenovirus, Parvovirus, Parainfluenza)
• Bordetella (Kennel Cough)
Proof of current vaccinations is required prior to your dog’s stay.
Can my dog receive vaccines right before their stay?
We ask that all vaccines be administered at least 7–10 days prior to boarding. This gives your pup time to build immunity and helps avoid stress-related reactions during their stay.
For everyone’s safety, we’re unable to accept dogs who are not up to date on required vaccinations.
12. What should I pack for my dog's stay?
Here’s a list for you to prepare for your pup’s overnight stay. Please label all items with your dog’s name as there may be other dogs staying with us at the same time.
• Food: Bring only enough food for your dog’s stay, plus a couple extra portions in case of travel delays.
• Please don’t bring full-size food bags. Space is limited, and this helps keep everything fresh, clean, and organized.
• Optional: Your dog’s favorite treats (we also have a variety of high-quality, healthy treats available).
• All medications clearly labeled with your dog’s name and instructions. Please include extra dosages in case of travel delays.
• Pill pockets or treats for administering meds (if used).
• Leash and/or harness
• Secure collar with ID tag attached (required even if your dog usually wears only a harness for walks).
• Make sure the collar fits comfortably but snuggly. You should be able to fit two fingers underneath. During your dog’s stay, we’ll attach a temporary AirTag to their collar for added safety.
• Crate, only if your dog is crate-trained or sleeps in one at night.
• Bed and/or blanket
• We allow 1 personal toy per dog. Your dog will have plenty of toys to enjoy here. Please understand that any personal items may be chewed, lost, or shared during playtime, so we can’t guarantee they won’t be lost or come home in perfect condition.
• No need to bring bowls, poop bags, toys or treats (unless desired). We have clean bowls, healthy treats and plenty of toys for fun and enrichment .
2026 Holidays and Peak Periods
New Year’s Day: Jan 1 – Jan 2
Martin Luther King Jr. Day: January 16 – 19 (Fri – Mon)
Presidents’ Day Weekend and Lunar New Year: February 13 – 18
Spring Break and Easter Peak Period: March 27 –
April 12
Memorial Day Weekend: May 22 – 25 (Fri – Mon)
Independence Day: July 3 – 5 (Fri – Sun)
Labor Day: September 4 – 7 (Fri – Mon)
Thanksgiving: November 25 – 29 (Wed – Sun)
Christmas and New Year’s: Dec 20 – Jan 2, 2027
A surcharge of 25% will apply to these dates.