Health Requirements for daycare
What does my dog need to attend daycare?
In order for your dog to become a daycare member there are 3 vaccines that are required.
- Rabies: The state of Massachusetts requires that all dogs be vaccinated against rabies. Any dog with an expired rabies vaccine will not be allowed to enter the daycare rooms.
- Distemper: Canine Distemper is often abbreviated as DHPP, DHLPP, DA2PP-L, DA2PP-C on a vet summary. This viral infection is highly contagious and is spread through the air or through shared water/food bowls.
- Kennel Cough: Kennel cough is also referred to as Bordetella. This can be caused by viral, bacteria, or as the result of another infection. It is often associated with a harsh dry cough. This vaccine can be given via injection or nasal spray.
- Negative Fecal: Fecal testing for dogs is routinely performed to rule out any intestinal parasites. Several types of intestinal parasites can infect dogs, and their effects vary depending on the type of parasite and the overall health of your dog. Your dog must have a negative fecal test done within 14 days before joining daycare.
All vaccines must be up to date before they can start daycare.
We will notify parents of upcoming expirations dates with vaccines.
Vaccination Requirements for grooming
What vaccines does my dog/cat need to be groomed?
Dog Grooming Vaccine Requirements
- Rabies: The state of Massachusetts requires that all dogs be vaccinated against rabies. Any dog with an expired rabies vaccine will not be allowed to be groomed.
- Distemper: Canine Distemper is often abbreviated as DHPP, DHLPP, DA2PP-L, DA2PP-C on a vet summary. This viral infection is highly contagious and is spread through the air or through shared water/food bowls.
Cat Grooming Vaccine Requirements
- Rabies: The state of Massachusetts requires that all dogs be vaccinated against rabies. Any dog with an expired rabies vaccine will not be allowed to be groomed.
Not required, but highly recommended
- FVRCP: The “FVR” refers to feline viral rhinotracheitis (feline herpesvirus 1 or FHV-1). This disease can lead to a severe upper respiratory tract disease (including rhinitis, sneezing and conjunctivitis). Other less common symptoms include oral ulceration and primary pneumonia.
All vaccines must be up to date before they can use any of our services.
We will notify parents of upcoming expirations dates with vaccines.
Daycare Vaccine policy
Please review our Vaccine Policy for attending daycare (DOGS)
The following vaccines are required for your dog to attend daycare:
Grace Periods are for currently enrolled/active daycare members.
Rabies: This vaccine is required by the state and must be current for your dog to attend daycare or grooming. If your pets Rabies vaccine is expired, they will not be allowed to attend daycare or be groomed until we receive a copy of the current vaccine. There is no grace period for this vaccine.
Bordetella (Kennel Cough): This vaccine is required to attend daycare. There is a 7-day grace period for Bordetella from when the vaccine expires to when they are no longer able to attend daycare if they do not receive a booster.
- Why a 7-day grace period?
Depending on how the vaccine is given, the immunity response until it becomes effective can vary. Intranasal vaccines can take up to 72 hours for an immune response while an injection can take 10 to 14 days before becoming effective. If the vaccine is more than 1 week overdue before your dog gets their booster, your dog will not be allowed in daycare for 2 weeks after they receive the vaccine.
Distemper: This vaccine is required to attend daycare. There is a 7-day grace period for Distemper from when the vaccine expires to when they are no longer able to attend daycare if they do not receive a booster.
- Why a 7-day grace period?
Distemper can take anywhere from 3 to 5 days for the vaccine to become effective after the injection is given. If the vaccine is more than 1 week overdue before your dog gets their booster, your dog will not be allowed in daycare for 1 week after they receive the vaccine.
Negative Fecal: Fecal testing for dogs is routinely performed to rule out any intestinal parasites. Several types of intestinal parasites can infect dogs, and their effects vary depending on the type of parasite and the overall health of your dog. Your dog must have a negative fecal test done within the last 30 days before joining daycare. There is a 7-day grace period for a fecal test from when it expires to when they are no longer able to attend daycare without a new test result.
There are no exceptions when it comes to the health and the safety of our daycare dogs.
A reminder email is sent out 30 days prior to a vaccine expiring.
Spay & neuter
Spay, Neuter, & Daycare
Not Spayed or Unneutered Dogs
Spay (Female Dogs)
Neuter (Male Dogs)
Spayed
- There is no restriction with spayed dogs (aside from below)
- Spayed dogs can still appear to have a “heat” if there was any ovarian tissue left during their spay; Ovarian Remnant Syndrome. If this happens, daycare would then be limited
Unspayed
- Female dogs who have not been spayed are welcome in daycare until their first heat. Dogs in heat are not allowed to attend daycare.
- Unspayed female dogs (who have had their first heat) are not allowed to attend daycare, regardless of if they are in heat or not.
Neutered
- Welcome to attend daycare unless they are excessive with mounting (can be aggressive in nature, or their only play style)
Unneutered
- Dogs under 1 year are welcome to attend until hormones become too much for them (excessive marking, excessive mounting - can be aggressive when unable to mount, aggressive behaviors, etc. typically starts around 6 to 8 months old)
- Over 1 year: Dogs over 1 year old must be neutered before being able to attend daycare. Hormones can still affect their behavior up to 6 months after their neuter.
