Requirements

Training dog

Canine Guests

● All dogs must be on a leash when entering the building and in the lobby

● Owners must register online and sign the Client Services Agreement prior to reservation

● All Dogs must wear snap collars/quick-release collars. Choke chains, prong collars, and harnesses are not acceptable in group play. We have collars available for purchase in our retail department.

● Owner must drop off their dog for boarding stays, or make arrangements with our staff if they are unable to be present

private dog training

Boarding

● We are a very "hands-on" facility. Dogs must be comfortable being handled by our staff.

● We require a Meet & Greet for each guest. You may print off the form and complete it to bring with you or complete it once you arrive. The evaluation is free of charge and will be performed by an approved staff member. We encourage you to come in for this evaluation prior to the first day of boarding. While we can do the evaluation at the time of drop off, there is the risk that we're unable to accept the dog. If that is the case, you would need to make another arrangement. The evaluation takes approximately 15 minutes. If you're dropping off during a holiday period or early or late in the day, our lobby may be very busy. Please plan accordingly.  

● If your dog has not stayed with us in the last year, another evaluation may be required. Senior pets may be requested to be re-evaluated every 4 - 6mo for health reasons. Pet parents of senior dogs are asked to fill out a Senior Pet Care Agreement.

● Owners are always required to report any behavioral concerns at the time of drop-off.

● Social dogs who attend our daycare program regularly (3-4 times per month) are able to join daycare groups during their stay with us. Social dogs that are not regular daycare customers participate in our Social Playtime, which is a 30 minute playtime with a small group of dogs. If your dog is not suitable for group play we can provide them with individual play times.

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Daycare

● A Daycare Evaluation is required for all dogs who have not attended Daycare at The Paw before or who have not attended for more than one year.  An evaluation is also required if the dog is younger than six months old when they last attended and six or more months have passed. You may print the form and complete it or bring it with you or complete once you arrive.

● The evaluation is scheduled as a half-day of Daycare and the fee is the same as for a half-day of Daycare.  If you book online you will receive a call from us letting you know if the day you selected will work. We only evaluate two dogs each day for daycare.

● Evaluations are available Monday - Friday (except on or around holidays). An appointment is required. Please contact The Paw to schedule and for additional information.

private dog training

Vaccinations

● Proof of current vaccinations from your veterinarian: Rabies, Bordetella, and Distemper/Parvo combo (DHLLP). For information regarding our policies on Canine Cough and Canine Influenza please visit our Documents page. Our fax number is: 507-625-8643 or vaccinations can be e-mailed to info@thepawmankato.com

● Puppies must be vaccinated against Rabies by the age of 16 weeks. They are required to have their first Distemper/Parvo Combo (DHLPP) at the age of 8 weeks, their second at 12 weeks, and their third by 16 weeks.

Medical Requirements

.● Puppies must be at least 10 weeks old for a day board or daycare, and 12 weeks old for an overnight stay.

● Senior dogs (10 years and over) who have not boarded at The Paw within the last 4-6 months may need to be re-evaluated. Evaluations of Senior dogs must be within a week of their stay. Evaluations take into consideration the health and medical condition of the dog in determining whether or not we are able to care for them.

● Negative fecal exam within a year

● Flea and tick free

● Physically healthy and ready for play

● You must inform us of any medical concerns that your dog may have

● Free from any communicable condition including internal and external parasites

● If your pet has been ill with a communicable illness in the last 30 days, we require certification from your veterinarian that they are well, before we can admit or readmit them

● Reliable emergency contact

● Your dog must be two weeks past any surgical procedure.  All sutures must be removed, and the wound completely healed.

● Dogs over 6 months must be spayed/ neutered to participate in group play or social let-outs

● If your dog is taking any medication during a boarding stay it needs to be contained in the original prescription bottle. You are not permitted to mix their medication in their food prior to dropping them off. This creates an unsafe environment for our guests as food can spill, and other dogs may come in contact with it. We need to make sure that the correct dog is taking the medication that is prescribed to them.

● Alert our staff of any medical condition or health issue your dog may have when making your reservation and again at check-in.

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Be Aware that...

During group play and social let-outs, dogs are commingled with other dogs. During commingled play, your dog may get scratches, cuts, bruises, and other minor injuries. We train our staff to avoid and stop any fighting, mounting, and other inappropriate behaviors. However, the risk of such behavior exists, and injuries can occur. The Paw reserves the right to transport any dog to a veterinarian of our choice for emergency medical attention, at the owner's expense.

Additionally, just as children in the commingled school setting can pick up illnesses; your dog can also pick up illnesses at The Paw. We do our best to remove and isolate any symptomatic dogs. We also clean with water heated to 230°F and use pet-friendly cleaners. We are not responsible if your dog contracts a parasite, cold, flu, canine cough, or any other illness while they are at The Paw. While we do our very best to provide a safe and sanitary environment for all of our guests, we cannot completely control the spread of illness or risk of injury. There is no veterinarian on staff.  

private dog training

Feline Guests

● All cats must enter the building in a cat carrier for their safety, due to dogs that may enter the lobby

● Owners must register online and sign the Client Services Agreement prior to reservation.

● Owner must drop off their cat for boarding stays, or make arrangements with our staff if they are unable to be present

● Owners are strongly encouraged to bring treats for their cats. This will aid our staff members in building a bond more quickly.

● Please bring their food. We recommend sending along a few cans of canned food in case they are not in the mood to eat.

● You may bring blankets or a towel from home to sleep on, something that smells of home

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Temperament

● As the majority of cats are stressed for the first day or two, we do not perform an evaluation. Owners must know that their cats are comfortable outside of their own environment and that they are comfortable being handled by strangers.

● Owners must allow sufficient time to be able to place their cat(s) into one of our Kitty Condos. Please plan accordingly.

● If staff members are unable to pick up a cat, it will not be allowed free roaming time in the room.

● If the cat is creating a danger to staff while in the Kitty Condo, we’ll need to have the cat picked up and removed from the facility. Please be sure that your emergency contact is able to do this for you in your absence.

private dog training

Vaccinations and Medical Requirements

● Proof of current vaccinations from your veterinarian: Rabies and FVRCP. Our fax number is 507-625-8643.

● Cats who want to climb our cat towers and wonder the room, must be either up to date on their Feline Leukemia vaccine for have a negative test within 30 days prior to their stay

● Flea- and tick-free

● Physically healthy and ready for play

● You must inform us of any medical concern your cat may have

● Reliable emergency contact

● Free from any communicable condition including internal and external parasites

● If your pet has been ill with a communicable illness in the last 30 days, we require certification from your veterinarian that they are well before we can admit or readmit them

● If your cat is taking any medication during a boarding stay it needs to be contained in the original prescription bottle. You are not permitted to mix their medication in their food prior to dropping them off. This creates an unsafe environment for our guests as food can spill, and other cats may come in contact with it. We need to make sure that the correct cat is taking the medication that is prescribed to them.

● Alert our staff of any medical condition or health issue your cat may have when making your reservation and again at check-in.

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Payment Requirements

● We require a credit card on file to guarantee a reservation. You have FREE cancelation until noon the day before you're scheduled to check-in. Cancelation after this time incurs a charge of $25.00. Example: If you are checking in on Saturday, you have until noon on Friday to cancel. If you cancel a 3-night stay the morning of the day you are scheduled to arrive, you are charged a $25.00 cancelation fee.

● The Paw may require a non-refundable deposit to be paid. This occurs during times of high boarding demand, such as the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays. 

● If your pet is staying for more than 7 days, charges for the stay will be posted to the card weekly. Pets staying less than a week will be charged the remaining balance at the end of the stay.

● If someone other than yourself will be picking up your pet, we require that you let us know who they are and they must be able to show valid ID at pick-up.

● Payment must be made by cash, credit card, or check.