Second Home Pet Resort

Check-out Time: Guests may be checked out at any time during our business hours. Pets who are not picked up prior to the published business closing hour will not be released until the following day and will incur a full additional night’s boarding fee. We do have staff working behind the scenes after our lobby is closed, however they are responsible for assuring that our facility and our guests are properly secured. Therefore, these staff members are not authorized to check out guests after the lobby is closed.

Early Check-in or Late Check-out: If you need to pick up your pet earlier than our scheduled lobby opening time or after our scheduled lobby closing time, you may make special arrangements subject to staff availability. Early check-ins or late check-outs will be billed at a rate of $20.00 per hour, with a $20.00 minimum. We will do our best to accommodate your travel schedule, however we do require as much advance notice as possible. While we do have Guest Services staff on the premises caring for our animal guests 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, processing arrivals and departures must be handled by our Client Service Specialists.

Puppies and Kittens: Animals must be at least 4 months of age to board with us, since they cannot be fully vaccinated until this age. Once at least 4 months old, we'd love your little one to come and stay with us! Boarding young animals is a great way to accustom them to a variety of sights, sounds and experiences and will make their future boarding experience much more familiar and enjoyable.

Older Pets: We do not place an upper age limit on boarding pets, but we ask that you consider your geriatric pet’s unique personality and special needs. Some geriatric pets have a more difficult time being away from their family (see “Boarding Geriatric Pets” article here – link). We discourage boarding large dogs over the age of 11 and small dogs and cats over the age of 13. However, if you do need to board your geriatric pet, Second Home Pet Resort's spacious suites could be a great fit for pets who might become unduly stressed in a cage-like enclosure that is common in most veterinary clinics.

Getting Ready for a Resort Stay: Just like children (and their parents!) who are nervous parting ways during that first school day, some pets and their parents, too, can be a bit nervous at drop-off time. We’d like to help your pet acclimate to the experience so, if possible, we suggest that within the two weeks prior to your pet’s stay you stop by with him during business hours “just for fun”. Come in with your pet on an “acclimation visit” as often as you like. We’ll make the experience special by giving him a yummy treat or a nice belly rub, which will help him associate the resort with fabulous things. Having already been here, even for a few minutes, will help your pet remember the experience in a positive light – he came here with you, got a snack and some lovin’, and went back home with you, too – all is well with the world. Socializing your pet and helping him experience new people and places is a great way to help him remain relaxed, comfortable and eager to try new things throughout his life.

When you Arrive: All dogs entering the facility must be on a leash (no Flexi-leads/extension leads, please!) and under your control, and all cats must be in a ventilated cat carrier, for their safety and the safety of our other guests.

Flea and Tick Treatment: For the benefit of all guests, we want to make sure that our resort remains “pest-free”; therefore, if our staff determines that your dog has signs of ticks or fleas, we will administer a Frontline flea & tick treatment ($15.00 fee) upon arrival. This topical gel is applied through an applicator tube in a small spot on the skin of your dog’s back.

Vaccinations: The safety of our canine and feline guests is our first priority; therefore, we require that all pets staying with us be current on the vaccinations listed below. Vaccinations must be administered at least 7 days prior to arrival by a licensed veterinarian - we are unable to accept home-administered vaccinations. Written proof of current vaccines must be received by Second Home Pet Resort at least 72 hours prior to check-in.

Dogs

Rabies vaccine
Distemper and Parvovirus (may be listed as DHLP or DHLPP on your pet’s medical record when administered as a combination vaccine). In lieu of vaccinations, we will accept a titer test administered by a licensed veterinarian in the past 60 days stating that your dog has sufficient immunity to these diseases.
Bordetella, administered within the last 6 months

Cats

FVRCP vaccine. In lieu of vaccination, we will accept a titer test administered by your veterinarian in the past 60 days, demonstrating that your cat has sufficient immunity to these illnesses.

Vaccines must be administered at least 7 days prior to check-in, and proof of vaccination should be sent to us via e-mail or fax at least 3 days prior to check-in.

Going-Home Bath (dogs only): When your dog runs into your arms at pick-up time, we want him to smell fresh and clean! After playing hard and rolling around in our play yards or spending time around lots of other dogs, your dog can pick up dirt and odors that are best left behind with us. While we recommend that all dogs have a bath on their check-out day, we require a going-home bath for dogs ($25 for dogs under 40 pounds, $35 for dogs over 40 pounds) who stay a minimum of three nights at the resort. NOTE: Does not include de-matting, clipping, or special products for skin conditions; these and other upgraded services available for an additional fee.

Medical Emergencies: When you check your pet in, we ask that you give us the name and contact information of your personal veterinarian and provide us with your preferences regarding veterinary care for your pet during your absence. If a medical problem occurs with your pet, we will first attempt to contact you and get your pet in to see your own vet, if located within 8 miles of the resort; if unavailable, or if the situation is critical, we will take your pet to a nearby veterinarian or to the nearest emergency clinic. All charges for veterinary care and transportation will be your responsibility – please refer to our boarding agreement for further information.

Emergency Contact: While you’re away, please provide us with the phone number where you can be reached if an emergency arises. We will also ask that you provide us with a second and third back-up contact if after reasonable efforts we are unable to reach you. One of these individuals must be a person you trust, who will be in the local area while you are away, and who you will authorize to make decisions for you about your pet if you cannot be reached. Your pet is a member of your family and we honor this relationship – it’s critical that we be able to reach you or your designee quickly, should an emergency arise.

Bedding, Toys and Comfort Items: We want your pet to feel comfortable and secure while staying with us, therefore you may supply your pet’s personal bedding (no oversized beds or comforters, please); bedding must be labeled with a permanent marker with the guest’s first and last name (i.e., “Buddy Johnson”). When your pet is in unfamiliar surroundings she may chew things she would not ordinarily chew at home. Any bedding item or toy that becomes too damaged or that we believe may pose a hazard to your pet may be removed at the sole discretion of our staff.

You may also supply up to two toys or comfort items for her to enjoy. The items must be washable, be suited to your pet’s size, and may not pose an obvious choking hazard. Because dogs can be protective around bones, rawhides, and other treats with a perceived “high value” when other dogs are nearby, they tend to protect them and may attempt to rapidly consume them if they perceive their prize possession could be threatened. Therefore, to avoid the potential for rapid or inappropriate consumption, these items are not allowed.

Meals from Home: We proudly serve a premium Nutro diet for both dogs and cats. And, at no additional charge, we will feed your own dry (if pre-portioned in plastic sealed sandwich bags) or canned pet food instead. We will gladly feed other specialty diets, subject to certain guidelines and limitations, for an extra fee. Room service is delivered each morning and during the late afternoon/early evening hours. If your pet is accustomed to a mid-day meal, we will gladly serve her a third meal around noon for an additional $2.50 per day.

Peak Holiday Policies: During the peak boarding dates listed below, the minimum stay requirement will apply to any reservation where your pet stays with us on any of the dates shown. Because demand is extremely high during these peak periods, a non-refundable deposit equal to two nights (based on the suite type selected) at the regular rate will be due 30 days in advance, or at the time of booking, whichever is later. The following periods are considered “peak boarding dates” through July of 2010; our resort will typically fill for these dates well in advance, so make your reservations early:

Holiday	Peak Boarding Dates	Minimum # of Nights
Labor Day	September 4 – 7, 2009 (4 nights)	3
Thanksgiving	November 24 – 29, 2009 (6 nights)	3
Christmas/New Year’s	December 22, 2009 – Jan. 2, 2010 (12 nights)	4
Memorial Day	May 28 - 31, 2010 (4 nights)	3
4th of July Celebration	July 1 - 4, 2010 (4 nights)	3

Medications: If your pet takes oral medications, regular oral supplements, or receives occasional and minimal topical skin treatments, we will be glad to administer these medications at no additional charge. An extra charge may apply for more complex administration or special circumstances.

Pets we Can’t Board:

Aggressive or Feral Animals: When you make your reservation, we will ask you for some basic information about your pet’s personality. We all know a “crabby” pet or two who might not like every person or every other animal they meet but who is generally safe to handle or be around. These pets can usually be boarded with little difficulty. However, we are unable to board pets that are truly dangerous, feral (“wild”), or have had little socialization and may react with aggression when frightened. The safety of our staff, your pet, and our other guests is our first priority. If upon check-in we determine that we are unable to safely handle and care for your pet, we will let you know so that you can make alternate boarding arrangements. If you are unsure of your pet’s temperament and feel he or she might be aggressive, we recommend contacting us in advance to schedule a time to bring your pet in for a brief assessment. This “meet and greet” will give us a better idea of whether Second Home Pet Resort is the right option for your pet. Any dogs who do stay with us who are aggressive toward other dogs may not participate in day care or other group activities with pets outside of their own family.
Females who are pregnant or in heat: Females who are pregnant should be boarded at a veterinary clinic in the event that they go into labor and need medical intervention or care during the delivery. Females who are in heat are not accepted; our male guests can detect females in heat from long distances away and can become highly agitated, resulting in a less-than-calm resort experience for all our other guests.
Pets recuperating from recent invasive medical procedures: Your veterinarian is the best place for your pet to stay following any invasive medical procedure that took place within the last 10 days.
Pets with serious medical conditions or pets that require frequent veterinary attention: Such conditions include pets with frequent, uncontrolled seizures; pets suffering from debilitating paralysis; or pets with serious cardiac, kidney or liver disorders. Pets with these conditions are best boarded with your veterinarian.
Pets who are exhibiting signs, or who have recently been diagnosed with, contagious disease, including dogs who have been diagnosed with Parvo or cats who have been diagnosed with Panleukopenia within the past 6 months, or pets who have exhibited signs of URI or kennel cough within the past 2 weeks.
Pets with severe separation anxiety: Animals who experience the equivalent of “panic attacks”, highly destructive behavior, etc. when left alone do not do well in a boarding situation.