New Families
Before your first stay
Four things to sort out, and a short list of what to pack. Do these and drop-off takes ten minutes.
1. Vaccinations
Documentation has to come from your vet — a printout, the card from their office, or an emailed copy. We can’t accept dates written in from memory.
Two dates to watch
Nothing may expire during the stay, and a first or lapsed vaccination needs to be given at least 14 days before check-in so it has time to work.
2. Parasite prevention
Every guest is on monthly flea, tick and deworming prevention, and free of parasites on arrival. If we find any, we’ll separate your guest and arrange treatment at your expense — that’s how we protect everyone else here.
3. Your forms
Boarding Services Agreement
Signed once, renewed each year
Client & Guest Registration
Once, then updated when something changes
Stay Details Form
Every stay
Care & Feeding Instructions
Fresh at every visit
Most of this is collected in the booking form when you request your dates.
4. Deposit
50% of the boarding total holds your dates. You’ll get a receipt and a copy of the refund policy at the same time. The balance is due at drop-off.
Packing
What to bring
- Food for the whole stay plus one extra day, sealed and labelled
- Something your dog particularly likes, to encourage eating somewhere new
- Medication in its original labelled container, with written instructions
- Pill pockets, or whatever trick works for your dog
- Photo ID at pick-up — for you and anyone else collecting your dog
We provide the rest
All bowls and bedding, and a Dogwood ID collar for the length of the stay. You’re welcome to send bedding from home — just know we don’t launder it, so it comes back to you bagged. Please leave anything valuable or irreplaceable at home.
Why we remove the AirTag
Personal equipment catches on gates and kennel doors, which is an injury and escape risk. And one standard collar means any member of our team can identify any guest instantly — which matters most in exactly the moments when it counts.
Questions before you book?
Call us. Especially if your dog is anxious, reactive, or has been turned away somewhere else.
703-881-2083