At Dogtopia, our priority is the health, safety, and happiness of every dog in our care. As a trusted dog daycare provider, we know that a safe environment benefits our canine guests and our team. That’s why we have clear health requirements that ensure all dogs are well-suited for our off-leash environment. These guidelines are in place to prevent the spread of illness, protect your dog from potential health risks, and create a welcoming environment for all pups.
Continue reading to learn more about our health requirements at our Dogtopia daycares in Portland.
Age Requirements
We want to make sure that every dog who comes to Dogtopia is ready for the daycare environment, which is why they must be at least 12 weeks old before joining. This ensures that puppies have reached a sufficient stage in their development to interact safely with other dogs. At 12 weeks, puppies are typically fully vaccinated and have the necessary socialization skills to begin mixing with other dogs of their size. Keeping this requirement in place helps us maintain a safe environment for all dogs in our care.
Vaccination Requirements
Vaccinations are essential for preventing the spread of diseases that could affect your dog’s health. At Dogtopia, we require that all dogs have up-to-date vaccinations, including Rabies, DHPP/DHLPP (also known as “distemper/parvo”), and Bordetella (Kennel Cough). Some Dogtopia locations may also require the canine influenza vaccine, especially at times where the virus is more prevalent. Be sure to check with us to see if this vaccine is required for your dog. Vaccines are critical in protecting against common canine illnesses, and they help to ensure that your dog remains healthy while interacting with others in our daycare environment.
To comply with our vaccination requirements, we ask that your dog’s vaccines be administered by a licensed veterinarian 48 hours (preferably seven days) before attending daycare. This ensures ample time for the vaccines to take effect and prevents any potential gaps in coverage.
Spaying or Neutering Requirements
In order to maintain a safe and well-behaved environment, all dogs that are 7 months or older must be spayed or neutered. This is an important part of our policy to reduce the risk of certain behavioral issues, such as aggression or territorial behavior. It’s important to note that not all dogs develop at the same rate, and some may be ready for spaying or neutering before reaching 7 months of age. Depending on your dog’s development and behavior, our team may recommend that alteration happen earlier.
Health Certification for Admission
For the safety of all our guests, all dogs must be in good health to attend daycare. As a responsible pet parent, you’ll need to certify that your dog has been free from any illness or communicable conditions for the past 30 days. If your dog has been sick recently, we ask that you wait until they are fully recovered before bringing them to daycare.
Additionally, dogs must be free from external parasites such as fleas or ticks before entering our facility. We recommend regular preventative care, including flea and tick treatments, to ensure your dog remains parasite-free. If your dog shows any signs of illness, including vomiting, diarrhea, or coughing, please consult with your veterinarian before scheduling a visit. This helps prevent the spread of illness and ensures the safety and comfort of all our dogs.
Returning to Dogtopia After Illness
If your dog has been ill with a communicable condition within the past 30 days, they cannot be admitted back into daycare until they have fully recovered. We take the health and well-being of all our guests seriously, and in these cases, a veterinary certification of health is required before your dog can return to daycare. This certification ensures that your dog has been cleared by a professional and is no longer contagious, so they can rejoin the group without putting other dogs at risk.
If your dog is recovering from an illness, we recommend giving them plenty of time to rest and fully recover before bringing them back into daycare. The safety of all dogs at Dogtopia is our top priority, and we appreciate your cooperation in helping us maintain a healthy environment.