Dog Daycare, Boarding, Pet Suites & Grooming FAQs

PAWS provides dog daycare, temperament evaluations, overnight dog boarding, private Pet Suites, Free Roam and VIP boarding, dog grooming, cat grooming, baths, nail care, coat care, Shed-Less treatments, flea-and-tick bathing, and related grooming services.

Availability can depend on the date, staffing, your pet’s records, the service requested, and whether group care is appropriate for your dog. Call 941-258-3647 for current scheduling and availability.

Call the active PAWS pet-service number at 941-258-3647. Tell us which service you need, your preferred date, your pet’s age and breed, whether your pet has visited before, and whether current vaccination records are already on file.

Full grooming, boarding, Pet Suites, and temperament evaluations should be arranged in advance. Holiday boarding and other busy periods should be reserved as early as practical.

Full grooming, cat grooming, overnight boarding, Pet Suites, and temperament evaluations should be scheduled. New daycare guests should complete their required records and evaluation before arriving for group play.

Nail trims are offered as a walk-in service, but calling first is still smart when your pet is large, fearful, medically fragile, difficult to handle, or likely to need additional time. Call before arriving for other same-day grooming services.

Yes. PAWS welcomes tours. Calling before you arrive allows staff to choose a good time that does not interfere with safe dog movement, feeding, cleaning, grooming, check-ins, or active playgroup supervision.

A tour can help you understand the daycare environment, private Pet Suites, bedding, climate control, grooming arrangements, check-in procedures, and the differences among Executive, Free Roam, and VIP boarding.

Bring your pet on a secure leash or in an appropriate carrier, current vaccination records, accurate emergency-contact information, and any medical or behavioral information that could affect care.

Tell staff about allergies, medications, mobility limitations, seizure history, recent illness or surgery, bite history, separation distress, escape behavior, resource guarding, or sensitivity around food, feet, ears, or handling. Boarding clients should also ask for the current food, medication, bedding, and labeling instructions.

Contact PAWS before the appointment and ask how records should be submitted. Records should clearly identify the pet, the vaccines administered, the administration dates, and the expiration or due dates.

Providing complete records before arrival helps prevent delays or a refused check-in. A payment receipt from a veterinary office may not be enough when it does not identify the actual vaccines and dates.

Yes. New guests must complete a temperament evaluation before joining daycare or boarding services that include group play. The evaluation helps PAWS learn how your dog responds to unfamiliar people, dogs, gates, handling, movement, excitement, separation, and the daycare environment.

An evaluation is a snapshot of current behavior, not a lifetime guarantee. A dog’s comfort and behavior can change with age, health, pain, hormones, stress, or changing group dynamics.

The currently published temperament-evaluation fee is $20. Evaluations are available Monday through Friday, and the fee is non-refundable.

Call to schedule the evaluation rather than arriving without notice. The fee covers the staff time required to assess a new dog, even when the final decision is that group care is not a safe or comfortable fit.

Important observations can include body tension, fear, confidence, recovery after excitement, play style, frustration around barriers, guarding, mounting, chasing, bullying, handling tolerance, escape behavior, and the ability to disengage and settle.

Owners should disclose previous incidents, known triggers, and bite history. Accurate information gives staff a better chance to introduce and manage the dog safely.

No. Some dogs love active social groups, some prefer a few familiar companions, and some are happier without close social pressure. A dog can be friendly at home or on a leash and still become overwhelmed, defensive, overstimulated, or frustrated in an off-leash group.

Declining group daycare does not mean a dog is “bad.” It means that the particular environment may not be the safest or most comfortable choice for that dog.

Dogs can enjoy supervised activity, interaction with compatible dogs, attention from staff, play equipment, balls, movement, enrichment, and time to relax in an air-conditioned environment.

Good daycare is not nonstop chaos. Safe care also means watching body language, interrupting rude or escalating play, allowing dogs to settle, and recognizing when a dog has had enough activity for the day.

A half day provides up to five hours of daycare and is currently $20 per dog. A full day is currently $26 per dog.

Half days can be useful for puppies, senior dogs, first-time guests, or dogs who enjoy social activity but become tired after several hours. The appropriate visit length should be based on the dog’s comfort, energy, and recovery rather than price alone.

PAWS publishes daycare check-in as available throughout the day. A later arrival may enter a playgroup that is already settled, so staff must still manage the transition carefully.

Call ahead when bringing a new, nervous, highly excited, or behaviorally sensitive dog, or when your arrival time changes substantially.

Do not assume that a routine meal or medication can be provided without prior arrangements. Feeding around active play requires separation, clear labeling, allergy awareness, and appropriate rest before the dog returns to activity.

Discuss puppy meals, prescription diets, diabetes, medications, and other time-sensitive needs before arrival. Bring only the food or medication PAWS asks you to provide, with complete written instructions and original labels where applicable.

Published requirements for dogs include:

• Current Rabies vaccination
• Annual Bordetella / kennel-cough vaccination
• DHLPP covering Distemper, Hepatitis, Leptospirosis, Parainfluenza, and Parvovirus
• Monthly flea-and-tick preventative medication

Vaccinations should be current, should not be more than one year old under the published PAWS requirements, and should be administered at least seven days before arrival.

No. PAWS requires vaccinations to be given at least seven days before arrival. Vaccinating a pet in the morning does not make the pet eligible for shared care that afternoon.

The waiting period gives the immune system time to respond and avoids placing a pet into a stimulating group environment immediately after vaccination.

Fleas and ticks can enter a facility on a pet who otherwise appears healthy. Consistent prevention helps protect your pet, other guests, bedding, play areas, grooming equipment, and the facility.

A flea bath after parasites are discovered is not the same as maintaining regular prevention. Ask your veterinarian which product is appropriate for your pet’s species, age, weight, health, and lifestyle.

Keep your dog home and contact PAWS when the dog has coughing, repeated sneezing, nasal or eye discharge, vomiting, diarrhea, fever, unusual lethargy, contagious parasites, unexplained skin lesions, or another condition that could spread or worsen in group care.

Dogs recovering from surgery, sedation, injury, heat illness, or a significant medical episode may also need veterinary clearance or modified activity before returning.

Yes. “Kennel cough” is a general term for canine infectious respiratory disease, which can involve several viruses and bacteria. Bordetella and other vaccines reduce important risks and may reduce the severity of disease, but no vaccine prevents every possible respiratory infection.

Dogs can spread respiratory disease before obvious symptoms appear. Daycare, boarding, grooming salons, veterinary waiting rooms, training classes, dog parks, shows, and other social settings all carry some unavoidable exposure risk.

Any active off-leash group activity carries some risk. Dogs run, turn, wrestle, collide, use their mouths, slip, scratch, and occasionally disagree. Screening, supervision, appropriate grouping, and early intervention reduce risk but cannot eliminate every scrape, strain, broken nail, or conflict.

PAWS may rest, separate, move, reevaluate, or remove a dog from group care when continued participation becomes unsafe or uncomfortable.

Staff will assess the situation, separate the pet when needed, provide appropriate immediate assistance within their role, and contact the owner or authorized emergency contact. A serious or time-sensitive condition may require veterinary examination.

Keep your contact information current and provide an emergency contact who can make decisions when you cannot be reached. Disclose medical conditions before the visit so staff are not learning critical information during an emergency.

PAWS currently publishes three principal overnight options:

• Executive Suite: A private 5-foot by 7-foot room with an off-the-floor bed and glass doors.
• VIP Suite: A private 10-foot by 10-foot room with upgraded off-the-floor bedding and dedicated 24-hour webcam access.
• Free Roam: A secure indoor play-area overnight option with off-the-floor bedding and dedicated 24-hour webcam access for appropriate dogs.

Availability and eligibility should be confirmed when making the reservation.

The currently published standard overnight rates are:

• Executive Suite: $43 per night
• Free Roam: $55 per night
• VIP Suite: $65 per night

Holiday pricing, late checkout, additional care, and special arrangements may change the final total. Confirm the complete estimate when reserving the stay.

Yes. Boarding guests enjoy daytime activity, attention, movement, socialization, and daycare-style care rather than sitting alone all day. Group participation still depends on the dog’s temperament, health, and eligibility.

Dogs who cannot safely participate in ordinary group play need an individually approved care plan. Discuss that need before making the reservation.

Overnight guests begin the morning with a potty break and a gradual transition into the day. Eligible dogs then enjoy activity, attention, movement, social time, and scheduled bathroom breaks in the climate-controlled daycare environment.

After dinner and an evening potty break, guests settle into their clean private accommodations or approved overnight area with off-the-floor bedding and soothing music.

Standard boarding checkout is 10:00 a.m.

• Pickup from 10:01 a.m. through 3:00 p.m. may be charged a half day of daycare.
• Pickup from 3:01 p.m. through 6:00 p.m. may be charged a full day of daycare.
• Pickup after 6:00 p.m. may be charged an additional boarding day.

PAWS is closed for ordinary Sunday business, but Sunday boarding check-in or checkout may be arranged in advance. Published Sunday pickup times are 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. on the hour.

Do not assume someone can meet you at a different time. Confirm the appointment and any additional Sunday charge when reserving the stay.

Yes. Published holiday pricing is 25% above the standard overnight rate and rounded up to the next dollar.

• Executive Suite holiday rate: $54
• Free Roam holiday rate: $69
• VIP Suite holiday rate: $82

Confirm the holiday dates, availability, reservation terms, and any current deposit or cancellation requirements when booking.

VIP Suite and Free Roam boarding include dedicated 24-hour webcam access. PAWS also routinely takes photos so pet parents can see how their dogs spent time in care.

A dog may be sleeping, resting, playing in another area, or temporarily out of camera view. Webcam access does not mean the dog will be visibly active every moment.

PAWS offers full dog grooming, cat grooming, Prima bathing, full drying, nail trimming, nail filing, ear cleaning, anal-gland expression when appropriate, flea-and-tick baths, coat conditioning, Shed-Less treatments, tidy-ups, shave-downs, breed-style haircuts, and related coat-care services.

The appropriate service depends on the pet’s breed, coat type, coat condition, skin, age, health, temperament, and the result the owner wants.

Full dog grooming and cat grooming are by appointment. Nail trims are published as a walk-in service, although calling first is still recommended for pets who require special handling or additional time.

Call before arriving for bathing or another same-day service so staff can confirm availability and determine whether your pet’s coat or handling needs require a scheduled appointment.

Small-dog full grooming currently starts at $72. Cat grooming starts at $99. Final pricing may vary according to breed, size, coat type, matting, coat condition, temperament, drying time, requested haircut, and service needs.

Current published stand-alone prices include $17 for a bath-and-towel-dry service, $17 for a nail trim, $21 for nail filing, $28 for a bath-and-nail package, and $39 for a bath with full drying. Review the grooming-pricing page and call for a pet-specific estimate.

The published full-groom package includes a bath, conditioner, nail care, ear cleaning, tooth brushing, gland expression, and a complete breed-standard cut including scissor work.

The exact procedure may be adjusted for the pet’s coat, skin, health, behavior, matting, and the owner’s requested style.

Yes. PAWS provides free daycare for the day when a dog receives a full grooming service and meets daycare eligibility requirements.

The dog must have current required records and a completed temperament evaluation. Free daycare does not override a behavior, health, age, or safety decision that makes group play inappropriate.

Yes, depending on safe handling and appointment availability. PAWS can provide a more traditional grooming appointment designed to minimize waiting without requiring the dog to join group daycare.

Tell staff about dog reactivity, bite history, fear of dryers, grooming-table behavior, and sensitivity around feet, ears, or handling before the appointment.

Yes. Published cat grooming begins at $99 and includes a bath, nail trim, ear cleaning, and full dry. A cat flea bath is also listed and includes nail trimming for staff and pet safety.

Call to confirm current cat-grooming availability, required records, coat condition, handling needs, and whether the requested service can be completed safely.

Tight matting pulls on the skin, traps moisture, hides skin problems, restricts movement, and can make brushing painful. A humane shave-down may be safer and kinder than trying to brush out severe matting for an extended period.

Matting can change the final haircut, appointment length, price, and risk of discovering irritation, sores, bruising, or parasites beneath the coat. The groomer should discuss realistic options based on comfort and safety.

PAWS currently publishes a 10% frequent-client discount when the next grooming appointment is pre-booked for six weeks or less.

Regular appointments can help prevent severe matting, nail overgrowth, coat buildup, and last-minute difficulty finding a grooming opening.

• Half day: $20 per dog
• Full day for one dog: $26
• Full day for two dogs from the same family: $45
• Full day for three dogs from the same family: $60
• Each additional dog: $10

Review the current daycare-pricing page before relying on an older screenshot or printed price list.

Current one-dog package prices are:

• 3-day pass: $75
• 5-day pass: $120
• 10-day pass: $230
• 20-day pass: $440

PAWS also publishes two-dog package pricing and unlimited monthly access. Daycare packages cannot be used to pay for overnight boarding.

Prepaid day passes are valid for one year from purchase. They are non-refundable and cannot be used for boarding.

Unlimited monthly passes apply only to the purchased monthly period and do not carry unused time forward. Current monthly prices are $220 for one dog and $418 for two dogs.

The current daycare-pricing policy states that a pet who is not picked up by closing may be fed, cared for, boarded overnight, and charged the applicable overnight boarding rate.

Contact PAWS immediately when you expect to be late. Do not wait until closing time to explain that you cannot arrive.

Yes. Older guests are welcome. Age alone does not determine whether a dog can attend, but the care plan should reflect mobility, arthritis, stamina, hearing, vision, continence, medication, and comfort around active younger dogs.

A senior dog may benefit from shorter visits, additional rest, quieter companions, individual attention, or private overnight accommodations.

Yes. PAWS welcomes disabled pets and has experience caring for pets with disabilities. Explain your pet’s mobility, lifting, toileting, feeding, medication, wheelchair, harness, sensory, and emergency needs before the appointment.

Acceptance still depends on whether the requested assistance can be provided safely and humanely within the selected service.

Tell PAWS before the visit. Some nervous dogs become comfortable after a calm introduction, while others panic, shut down, vocalize, attempt escape, or react defensively when pressured.

A shorter first visit, quiet arrival, limited introduction, private rest, or a different service may be more appropriate. Group daycare should not be used as forced exposure when a dog is showing sustained fear or distress.

PAWS may shorten a visit, provide additional rest, change the dog’s group, require reevaluation, place conditions on future attendance, recommend another service, or discontinue group care.

A dog’s behavior can change because of pain, maturity, illness, fear, hormones, aging, or repeated overarousal. Current behavior must guide the decision even when the dog attended successfully in the past.

A dog may sleep more after an active daycare visit or boarding stay because of exercise, stimulation, excitement, and schedule changes. Provide water, a calm evening, and time to rest.

Extreme lethargy, collapse, breathing difficulty, repeated vomiting, persistent diarrhea, fever, severe pain, inability to stand, or behavior that appears medically abnormal requires prompt veterinary attention.

Active dogs can occasionally have a superficial scratch, worn paw pad, broken nail, or temporary muscle soreness after running, turning, and wrestling.

Bleeding, swelling, punctures, persistent limping, severe pain, eye injury, weakness, or worsening symptoms should be evaluated by a veterinarian. Contact PAWS when you discover an unexplained injury after pickup.

Contact PAWS promptly and explain where the irritation appears, when it began, and whether the pet is licking, scratching, bleeding, swelling, or showing pain. Clear photographs can help staff understand what you are seeing.

Rapid swelling, hives, breathing difficulty, severe pain, persistent bleeding, or signs of infection require veterinary attention.

Call PAWS directly at 941-258-3647. Provide your pet’s name, the date and type of service, pickup time, what you observed, when it began, and whether a veterinarian has examined the pet.

For a medical emergency, contact a veterinarian immediately rather than waiting for a website response. The dog-daycare business inquiry form is not the correct contact path for local pet-service emergencies or scheduling.