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Dog laying in the grass

FAQ

Would my pet be better off boarding at my vet's office?

If your pet is sick or in need of specialized medical care, then perhaps your vet would be the better choice. But if your pet is healthy, why board in a hospital environment with little to no exercise and cages? We provide your pet with oversized indoor or indoor/outdoor runs (heated & A/C, of course), supervised playtime, private walks, treats and lots of attention. Doesn’t your pet deserve a vacation, too?

Would my pet be better off staying home with a pet-sitter?

Dogs are pack-animals by nature and prefer to be with people and other animals rather than left home alone. If your dog suffers from separation anxiety, the best antidote is to keep him or her active and in the company of others by offering mental and physical stimulation such as park playtime in our private dog parks with in-ground pools, private walks with a handler, swimming, training, bathing, snack time and overall socialization. Even our feline boarders enjoy private play time. Also, our staff is here in case of a weather emergency.

Do you have staff 24-hours?

We have kennel staff on premises 24-hours. However, we will not be offering 24-hour office hours at this time.

What about my pet's special diet?

We serve Science Diet, but you are always welcome to bring your pet’s food from home. We even have microwaves and refrigerators to accommodate very special appetite needs.

Will my pet be left alone the entire time?

Group playtime is an excellent way to socialize your pet with others, and pets that go out and exercise while boarding are known to rest better, eat better and sleep better at night. Each newcomer is given a temperament test to assess which group he or she will be best suited for. Most groups are divided by small and large sized dogs, but occasionally we come across a smaller dog who gets along much better with the larger sized group. If your pet would enjoy a more personalized touch, private walks may be just the thing. Besides, with our incredibly attentive staff, who has time to be alone?

My pet is never around other dogs. Should I even try the Dog Park?

Don’t forget, dogs are pack animals by nature. Although they are frequently protective of their home environment and their owners, once in a group atmosphere, almost all dogs enjoy park playtime. If for some reason your pet is not enjoying the group, whether it be because of aggressive behavior or simply not having fun, your pet will be switched to private walks. Park playtime is so much fun, your pet may surprise you.

My pet is an indoor pet. Do I really need to apply flea & tick prevention?

Always protect your pet from fleas and ticks when boarding. All of our buildings, as well as our parks, are on a strict schedule for pest control. But if another pet comes into the facility with a flea or tick, you want to know that your pet is protected. If you do not routinely use a prevention at home, Frontline/Top Spot may be provided for you at a very low cost.

In addition to cageless playtime, do you also offer cageless boarding?

Our lodge offers the utmost in safety and comfort for your pet. Cageless boarding leaves the potential for altercations and a decrease in your pet’s ability to receive a restful night’s sleep. Also, not everyone is suited for a group environment, which is why we offer private playtime. Quiet time in a private suite also allows us to thoroughly clean common areas in preparation for next day’s play.

Why is there a mandatory bath?

Our boarders participate in a variety of activities during their stay. The bath fee not only ensures a departure bath so they go home fresh and clean, it’s not uncommon for pets to arrive smelling like cigarettes and cigars. In order to keep our facility smelling fresh, we may need to bathe an incoming dog. Also, we keep pets clean during the stay if they happen to get dirty before departure day.

Why is there a fee for late departure?

Much like a human hotel, we need time to thoroughly clean and prepare the pet suites for incoming guests. Unlike a human hotel, your pet requires our care and attention for any walk, feeding, or playtime and cannot simply wait in the lobby for you to arrive. Therefore, late departures receive additional services. If your pet attends daycare on the departure date, the late fee is waived as the daycare fee applies for the day.

Do you have a veterinarian on staff?

Our staff is trained to monitor your pet’s health and well-being, and to administer first-aid treatment while in our care, but we are not a veterinarian hospital. Should the situation arise that we feel your pet requires medical attention, we will contact you or your emergency contact to coordinate veterinarian services with your pet’s own provider. Also, we are within close proximity of multiple animal hospitals in case of an emergency.

My pet is on medication. Is that a problem?

Lauderdale Pet Lodge is always prepared to administer medications during your pet’s stay. However, we do not administer insulin or other injections. Always provide detailed instructions and let us know specifically what condition the medications are for. Remember, your pet may not eat according to his or her regular schedule, and sometimes food gets spilled over in a run. So, let us administer any necessary medications to be certain they have been taken rather than adding them to your pet’s prepackaged food.