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If your dog is especially nervous, a slower introduction or a second daycare visit may be required before boarding.

• Charged at the normal daycare rate
• Minimum stay of 3 hours
• Drop-off accepted at any time during opening hours
• Dog must arrive on leash with a secure collar
• Proof of vaccination required before arrival
• Aggression can result in immediate dismissal

If your dog eats lunch, you're welcome to send it along.

We accept dogs from 10 weeks old, as long as they have received their first set of puppy vaccinations.

• Dogs must arrive leashed with a secure collar
• Prong and shock collars are not permitted
• Drop-off is permitted at any time during opening hours
• Pickup must happen before closing
• Daycare is charged at a flat daily rate

During normal weather, most dogs spend 2–3 hours outside before rotating inside for rest and lunch. During extreme heat or cold, outdoor time is shortened and dogs return more frequently to the heated and air-conditioned Doggy Lodge.

Yes — daycare space is limited and reservations are first come, first served. We recommend booking ahead, especially on weekends and holidays which can fill up weeks or months in advance.

Jackets are welcome during cold weather. However, we are not responsible for damage caused to dog clothing during play.

Dogs stay in the fully heated and air-conditioned Doggy Lodge in rooms or crates selected by our team based on what suits them best. Calming music plays 24/7 (volume increased slightly during thunderstorms).

Breakfast: 6:00am – 6:30am
Lunch: 12:00pm – 1:00pm
Supper: 5:30pm – 6:00pm

No feeding occurs after 6:00pm. You must bring all food — please send extra in case of delays or higher calorie needs. We follow all feeding instructions carefully.

The facility is locked at night and protected by smart security cameras, smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, and fire extinguishers. Staff monitor all dogs throughout the day.

Boarding is never intentionally overbooked and space is first come, first served. Holidays (especially Christmas, Thanksgiving, and New Year's) can book up months in advance — we recommend reserving early.

Premium food is available for purchase in our retail store if needed.

• Feeding instructions must be on or inside the bag
• Send extra in case of delays or increased activity
• Unfamiliar treats can upset your dog's stomach — keep extras to a minimum

If there's any chance your dog may need to stay overnight, bring food even if you believe you will collect them the same day. It's always better to be prepared.

All medications must be in their original container and clearly marked with:

• Dog's full name
• Medication name and strength
• Dosage per day
• Whether the dose was already given the morning or afternoon of drop-off

If treatment must be demonstrated in person, please arrange drop-off between 12:00pm and 3:00pm or discuss with us in advance. Mornings and evenings are dedicated to client flow and dog care.

• Rabies — within 3 years
• DA2PP / DHPP — annually or every 3 years depending on your veterinarian and vaccine schedule
• Bordetella — annually (every 6 months recommended by us and many vets)

All vaccination records must be on file and proof must be provided before your dog's first visit.

It is the client's responsibility to ensure vaccinations remain up to date and that we have a current copy on file at all times.

We require Bordetella annually, but we and many vets recommend every 6 months for dogs who regularly socialize with other dogs.

All dogs over 10 months of age are required to be spayed or neutered.

If your female dog is under 10 months but has had a heat cycle, we may temporarily dismiss her until she has been spayed. This is for the safety and comfort of your dog and others in our care.

If your male dog is under 10 months but shows signs of humping or aggression, we may move him to a smaller pen until neutered. If the behavior creates a safety concern, we may dismiss him until the procedure is complete.

Current pricing for daycare and boarding is on our homepage pricing section. All prices include applicable tax.

Pricing and policies are subject to change without notice.

When available, prepaid bundles are valid for 8 months from purchase and cannot be combined with other offers unless stated. Unused days or nights are forfeited. Daycare packages are non-refundable.

• Regular holidays: 48 hours notice required
• Christmas, Thanksgiving, New Year's: 7 days notice required

• Cash
• Debit
• Visa, Mastercard, American Express
• Interac eTransfer to pay@dogwoodretreat.ca
• Cheques payable to Dogwood Lodge Pet Retreat Inc.
• Apple Pay, Google Pay, Samsung Pay
• Barter (where appropriate)

Payment is due on pickup unless your dog attends daycare more than once in the same week, is boarding for multiple days, weeks, or months, or you have purchased a special offer in advance.

For extended boarding stays, we may arrange monthly billing.

Dogs must be securely leashed during viewings. Please do not put your hands through the fence or allow your dog near the open chain-link areas.

• Large pen: Medium to large dogs
• Medium pen: Small to medium dogs and nervous dogs
• Small pen: Small dogs and older dogs who prefer light activity

All pens have safety gates, security fencing, shade, and toys appropriate for the size of dog. The large pen has both natural shade and purpose-built shelters.

• 24+ hours notice: No fee
• Less than 24 hours notice: 50% of estimated grooming cost
• No-show: 100% of estimated grooming cost

Arriving more than 15 minutes late may require rescheduling and may be treated as a late cancellation.

Contact us directly by phone at 888-844-5408 during business hours or by email at hello@dogwoodretreat.ca. Do not rely on social media for cancellations.

Emergencies are handled case by case at management's discretion.

• 📧 Email: hello@dogwoodretreat.ca
• 📞 Toll-Free: 1-888-844-5408
• 📞 Direct: (902) 742-1011
• 💬 KennelBooker Pet Parent App (live chat)
• 💬 Facebook Messenger
• 📮 Mail: 1665 Hardscratch Road, Yarmouth, NS B5A 5J3

Download the KennelBooker Fur Parent app from the Google Play Store or Apple App Store and enter the code DLPR to connect with Dogwood Lodge.

Note: Dogwood Lodge is not the developer of the app. Any technical issues must be reported through the app store to the developer.