FAQ

For the safety and comfort of all our canine guests, dogs must first pass a Meet & Greet evaluation before attending our daycare or boarding. During a Meet & Greet at Dogtopia of Louisville, our trained Canine Coaches will get to know both you and your dog. The evaluation typically takes 20-30 minutes but we do ask they stay 2 hours, and we’ll use that time to ask you about your dog’s personality, daily routine, energy level, play style, comfort around new people and dogs, and any specific needs or goals you have as a pet parent. We’ll also observe your dog’s behavior and interactions with a small group of dogs to determine the best fit among our four supervised playrooms. This personalized evaluation — required before daycare or boarding — helps ensure your dog feels comfortable, safe, and set up to thrive from day one. 

Dogtopia Daycare FAQ

What are the requirements for daycare?

To participate in daycare, dogs must meet all of the following requirements:

Meet & Greet

All new dogs must complete and pass a Meet & Greet evaluation before attending daycare.

The evaluation includes:

• A wellness check
• Interaction with our team
• Crate comfort
• An assessment of how your dog does in our open-play environment
• They will need to stay at least 2 hours for their meet and greet to ensure the best introduction to our facility.

Vaccinations

Dogs must be current on:

• Rabies
• DHPP/DHLPP (Distemper/Parvo)
• Bordetella

Vaccination records must be provided before attending daycare, boarding and spa.

Vaccines should be administered at least 48 hours before attending.

Age Requirements

Puppies must be at least 12 weeks old and meet all vaccination requirements before attending daycare.

Spay & Neuter Requirements

Dogs 7 months and older must be spayed or neutered to participate in daycare.

Health Requirements

Dogs must:

• Be in good health.
• Be free of communicable illnesses.
• Be free of fleas and ticks upon admission.

If your dog has recently had a communicable illness, additional veterinary clearance may be required. This may include:

• Intestinal parasites
• Conjunctivitis
• Upper respiratory infections
• Other contagious illnesses

Does my dog need another Meet & Greet if they have attended before?

If it has been more than 6 months since we have seen your dog, please call our front desk to schedule a re-Meet & Greet.

Any dog that has not participated in our open-play environment recently may be required to complete a slow introduction by schedule. This allows our team to make sure your dog is still comfortable in the play environment before returning to regular open play.

What should I bring for daycare?

Please bring your dog on a leash with a collar or harness that is play friendly.

Personal belongings are not generally needed for daycare unless specifically requested by our team.

Dogtopia Boarding FAQ

What are the requirements for boarding?

All boarding dogs must meet our daycare requirements and be approved for participation in our open-play environment.

Meet & Greet

All boarding dogs must complete and pass a Meet & Greet evaluation before boarding.

 

When can I drop off my dog for boarding?

Boarding drop-offs may be made during our regular lobby hours.

When can I pick up my dog from boarding?

Boarding pick-ups should be completed before 12:00 PM (noon).

Pick-ups after nap time begins will need to wait until 2:00 PM or later.

Please note: Pick-ups after 2:00 PM will accrue a daycare charge.

What Should I Pack for My Dog’s Overnight Stay?

What food should I bring?

• Pack each meal individually in a labeled Ziploc baggie.
• Canned food does not need to be portioned. Simply bring the cans, and we will go over the appropriate amount for each meal at check-in.
• Clearly label any food that needs to be refrigerated.
• We recommend bringing enough food for the entire stay, plus a little extra in case of an unexpected extension.

Can I bring a toy or bedding?

Yes. Please bring:

• One toy labeled with your dog’s name.
• One article of bedding labeled with your dog’s name.
• Bedding must be machine washable.

A familiar toy or blanket can help your dog feel more comfortable during bedtime.

How should I bring medications?

Please bring all medications in their original containers with your dog’s name and dosing instructions clearly listed. We can dispense anything oral or topical but can not give any injectable medications. Let our team know about any special medication instructions at check-in.

Does my dog need a leash and collar?

Yes. Please bring your dog in on a leash with a collar or harness.

We will safely store your dog’s personal leash and collar during their stay and return them at pickup.

Should my dog attend daycare before their first overnight stay?

We highly recommend that new boarding dogs attend daycare before their first overnight stay.

This gives your dog an opportunity to become familiar with:

• Our staff
• Our routine
• Our playrooms
• Our environment

A daycare visit can help make their first overnight stay more comfortable.

Does my dog need another Meet & Greet if they have boarded with us before?

If it has been more than 6 months since we have seen your dog, please call our front desk to schedule a re-Meet & Greet.

Dogs that have not been in our open-play environment recently will go through a slow introduction by schedule to make sure they are still comfortable in the play environment.

Lobby hours:

Lobby Hours & Pick-Up/Drop-Off

Monday–Friday
Lobby open: 7:00 AM–7:00 PM
No pick-up or drop-off during naptime: 12:00–2:00 PM

Saturday
Lobby open: 10:00 AM–5:00 PM
No pick-up or drop-off during naptime: 12:00–2:00 PM

Sunday
Boarding pick-up and drop-off only
12:00–2:00 PM by appointment

Please plan your arrival and departure around our scheduled naptime to help keep our pups comfortable and our facility running smoothly.