FAQs – Frequently Asked Questions
Almost Home has collected the most commonly asked questions we receive.
Please check here to see if your question is answered below.

What exactly is dog daycare?
Can any dog come to daycare?
What sort of temperament will we look for in your dog for daycare?
What is the “meet & greet” interview?
What happens if my dog doesn't play well with others and is turned down for
daycare?
What should I expect on the first day?
What can I expect from my dog after she has been to daycare?
Is dog daycare affordable?
Can super tiny (or giant) dogs attend daycare?
Can my young puppy attend daycare (or be boarded)?
Does my dog need to be spayed or neutered?
What if I just want to board my dog with no daycare, do they still have to be
spayed or neutered?
Are their any breeds that you do NOT accept for daycare or boarding?
Who watches the pets at night?
Can I board both of my dogs together?
Can my dog bring her toys and other belongings?
How do you clean Almost Home Dog Daycare and Boarding?
What if my dog makes a mess in his kennel?
Is it true my dog can get Kennel Cough (Bordatellosis) in a facility like yours?
What if my dog gets sick during his stay or during his day at daycare?
My pet often rejects food when left with someone else...what will you do?
Can you give my dog his medications?
My pet receives holistic (natural) veterinary care, is that okay?
What if I can't make it there to pick up my dog before you close?
Can I purchase a Gift Certificate for Almost Home Dog Daycare and Boarding?
How do I find out if a kennel is available for my upcoming vacation/trip?

Q: What exactly is dog daycare?
A: Dog daycare is a relatively new service that is especially new to the Mt. Pleasant
area. It is a unique and happy place that you can bring your canine best friend for
socialization and exercise. Bringing your dog to daycare is an easy way for you to have a
happy, healthy, and overall pleasant dog to be around. It has been proven that dogs that
go to daycare are less likely to get into mischief at home because they have had time to
romp, explore, and meet new friends. Just like human beings, dogs get restless when
caged in a small area for too much time. We are here to help you make your dog a part
of your family.

Q: Can any dog come to daycare?
A: Please keep in mind that the dog daycare environment is quite simply not for all dogs.
Just like people, dogs all have distinct personalities, and some personalities and
temperaments are better suited than others to the “pack” life in daycare. Staff at
Almost Home will ask that you schedule an informal “meet and greet” interview to
evaluate whether daycare would be a positive and fun experience for your dog, during
which we will ask you some questions about your dog's temperament.

Q: What sort of temperament will we look for in your dog for daycare?
A: Your dog must get along well with other dogs. Aggressive dogs will not be accepted.
It is very hard to predict how your dog will behave at our facility. Many owners are
pleasantly surprised at how their dog “adjusts” at Almost Home (on neutral ground)
versus at home (on territorial ground).

Q: What is the “meet & greet” interview?
A: In order to determine whether or not this program is right for your dog, we provide
an initial “meet & greet” interview prior to your dog being scheduled for daycare. This
requires an appointment during which we can spend 20-30 minutes with you and your dog.
This interview will give us a chance to meet you and get a feel for your dog's unique
personality and individual needs, which will help determine if dog daycare would be
beneficial to your dog. During the interview, we will spend some time talking with you
and interacting with your dog. We will also see how your dog reacts and responds to
other dogs, and you will get a chance to see the facility layout.

Q: What happens if my dog doesn't play well with others and is turned down for
daycare?
A: Sometimes dogs just don't get along...much like people. If we decide that your dog is
not right for this program, or if we must withdraw your dog due to behavior or safety
concerns, this IS NOT a negative comment on your dog, and does NOT mean your dog is
“bad”. It simply means that the daycare environment is not the best environment for
your dog, and other options should be explored. For dogs that do not do well in a “pack”
style environment, your might consider a pet sitter or a dog walker who will come to your
home during the day to provide beneficial physical and mental stimulation through oneon-
one contact with your dog.

Q: What should I expect on the first day?
A: Plan to leave your dog in the care of Almost Home to begin the transition process.
We ask that you bring your dog as early as possible on the first several visits so that
he/she is one of the first ones there and can “greet” the other dogs as they arrive.
This makes the process much easier and less intimidating for them than being
introduced to a group of dogs that are already established. We also have specific areas
to help ease their introduction to the “pack” and will gradually increase their exposure
to the group at a rate determined by the dog's individual temperament and comfort with
the situation. This process can take several hours for some dogs, and it may take a few
visits before your dog jumps right in. This process may seem overly involved, but safety
is our number one concern. Proper, positive introductions will set the tone for a pleasant
experience at Almost Home.

Q: What can I expect from my dog after she has been to daycare?
A: Your dog will be excited to see you! But once she gets home, she may act very tired or
sleep more than usual. Don't worry! This is quite common. Remember, your dog spent the
day here romping and playing with others – likely engaging in more activity than usual.
Think of spending a week at the gym! And like us, she may be a little sore and in need of
some rest. In addition, watch for soreness on her toe pads. Dogs who are used to only
smooth or carpeted flooring may need to develop a “toughening” of the toe pads when
new to playing on the cement floors and rocky outdoor areas. As many owners have told
us, it only takes a day or two and their dog is back to normal. Allow your dog to rest up
quietly and enjoy the time to cuddle up with your special friend!

Q: Is dog daycare affordable?
A: While that is a personal decision, we try to make it easy as possible for you to afford
our services. You can use dog daycare at any frequency level that you choose. While
some of our customers use the service daily, others use it weekly or several times per
month. We also have half day rates. Our philosophy is that the costs are outweighed by
the substantial improvement to the quality of life of your dog and for you!

Q: Can super tiny (or giant) dogs attend daycare?
A: Yes! As long as your dog is socialized, vaccinated, and spayed or neutered, he may
come to Almost Home. Your dog will be grouped with dogs of like size and temperament.
We've hosted dogs from tiny teacup breeds to giant Newfoundlands and Great Danes.

Q: Can my young puppy attend daycare (or be boarded)?
A: If your puppy has received all of his shots, is 12 weeks of age or older, and has
exhibited playful and sociable behavior around other dogs, they may come to Almost
Home Dog Daycare and Boarding.

Q: Does my dog need to be spayed or neutered?
A: Yes. Almost Home Dog Daycare and Boarding reserves the right to refuse boarding to
any pet for any reason and at any time. Due to the nature of our business, and to ensure
the safety of the other dogs, all dogs must be spayed or neutered if over 6 months of
age if they are to be included in daycare. No exceptions allowed. This is a state
requirement.

Q: What if I just want to board my dog with no daycare, do they still have to be
spayed or neutered?
A: No, we do not require that dogs here just for boarding be spayed or neutered.
Although, we would ask you not to bring your female that is in season. We don't want
anyone climbing the walls:)

Q: Are their any breeds that you do NOT accept for daycare or boarding?
A: Almost Home Dog Daycare and Boarding reserves the right to refuse boarding to any
pet for any reason and at any time. Due to the nature of our business, our insurance
coverage, and to ensure the safety of the other daycare dogs, boarding dogs, and our
Almost Home companions, ONLY SOCIALIZED DOGS are allowed to board or attend
daycare at Almost Home Dog Daycare and Boarding.

Q: Who watches the pets at night?
A: The owners of Almost Home Dog Daycare and Boarding live on the premises to
provide care and attention to your special friend during the hours we are closed to
humans.

Q: Can I board both of my dogs together?
A: Yes! Our kennels are spacious enough to accommodate two medium sized dogs easily.

Q: Can my dog bring her toys and other belongings?
A: We must limit the belongings to just a few items. We provide bedding, but if you can
bring your dog's own bed, your dog will be happier. A few toys are fine as well, although
we do not allow rawhides or other consumable toys. A special t-shirt worn by you may
help your dog adjust to staying here.

Q: How do you clean Almost Home Dog Daycare and Boarding? What if my dog
makes a mess in his kennel?
A: Don't worry, accidents do happen. Almost Home Dog Daycare and Boarding cleans and
sanitizes the kennels and play area EVERY DAY. We use the WYSIWASH system that
eliminates algae, microorganisms, fungi, bacteria, and viruses that cause disease, odor,
and putrefaction. WYSIWASH is also a biodegradable treatment that is gentle on our
environment. Our motto at Almost Home is CLEAN, CLEAN, CLEAN and we take great
pride in the cleanliness of our facility and grounds.

Q: Is it true my dog can get Kennel Cough (Bordatellosis) in a facility like yours?
A: We wish we could say it never happens, but unfortunately, it does very infrequently.
We take every precaution to prevent this virus in our facility. Although we adhere
strictly to the requirement that each dog be properly vaccinated against Bordatella
AND follow a stringent and ongoing cleaning process with a broad spectrum virucidal and
bactericidal disinfectant cleaner, Kennel Cough may still occur.
Even in the most hygienic, well-ventilated, spacious kennels the possibility of a dog
acquiring Kennel Cough exists. Kennel Cough can be acquired from your neighbor's dog,
from a champion show dog at a dog show, from the animal hospital where your dog just
received his shots or was treated for a cut paw... There may have been an infected dog,
unknown to anyone, that acted as a source for other dogs. Infected dogs can spread the
organisms for days to weeks even after seeming to have fully recovered!
Most at risk for Kennel Cough are young dogs (under 1 year), senior dogs, and dogs who
are recovering from an injury or surgery or otherwise have a compromised immune
system.
For more information on Kennel Cough, visit:
http://www.thepetcenter.com/gen/kenc.html
For more information about Canine Influenza (the 'dog flu'), visit:
http://www.thepetcenter.com/gen/canineinfluenza.html or
lhttp://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/241734_dogflu22.html

Q: What if my dog gets sick during his stay or during his day at daycare?
A: Although it rarely occurs, some pets do become ill during their stay. We will use your
own veterinarian if at all possible, but if that is not possible, we have two trusted
veterinarians that we may take your pet to see if their illness is serious. We will contact
you in any event your pet becomes ill enough to warrant a trip to the veterinary clinic.

Q: My pet often rejects food when left with someone else...what will you do?
A: Some pets become a little stressed when they are away from their owners and decide
to stage a hunger strike. If a dog displays stress and won't eat, one of our companions
will spend extra time with your pet to coax it to eat. We don't let pets go without ample
food and water during their stay. Their food and water intake is monitored each day to
ensure they remain happy and healthy.

Q: Can you give my dog his medications?
A: Yes, we are happy to give your pet his medications. Please be sure to bring us dosage
instructions, veterinarian information, and an adequate supply for his stay.

Q: My pet receives holistic (natural) veterinary care, is that okay?
A: We understand that some pet owners believe the holistic path is best for their pets
and we respect their decision. However, in order to protect all of our guests to the best
of OUR ability, we require recent proof of titer results for the basic vaccinations AND
require a commercial vaccination for Bordatella - either nasal or injected every 6
months. Kennel cough can run rampant through a facility like ours, and we are doing
everything we possibly can to protect our guests. Some veterinarians describe kennel
cough as a cold, but in fact it is much more dangerous to some pets, and that is the last
thing we want to see.

Q: What if I can't make it there to pick up my dog before you close?
A: In the event you are running a few minutes (< 15 minutes) late, give us a call, we will
stay a little longer. If you will be more than 1/2 hour later than closing, we will board
your dog overnight. Please read more on either the daycare or boarding packages.

Q: Can I purchase a Gift Certificate for Almost Home Dog Daycare and Boarding?
A: Sure! Please visit us during business hours or call us to purchase a gift certificate.

Q: How do I find out if a kennel is available for my upcoming vacation/trip?
A: Contact us by telephone at (319)385-2600. Soon to come, you will be able to Check
for Availability online.

If you still have questions about Almost Home Dog Daycare and Boarding, give us a call
at (319) 385-2600.