FACILITY TERMS OF USE
We created BarkBound out of passion and love for our canine family members.
Our founders include a Veterinarian and other pet care professionals with decades of experience.
We would like to take a moment to go over a few policies and procedures with you, as a safe and fun facility for all is our highest priority. This document outlines how we protect your pup, our “Bounders,” while they are in our care – we take that very seriously!
ATTENTION
If your dog is exhibiting any symptoms that may suggest illness such as sneezing, coughing, wheezing, runny eyes or nose, vomiting, lethargy, or diarrhea, please do not bring your dog to daycare or boarding.
HEALTH/MEDICAL REQUIREMENTS
The health and wellbeing of our Bounders is always our top priority. That starts with ensuring that our facility is kept clean and sanitized as much as possible. But unfortunately, no amount of cleaning can prevent the spread of some illnesses or pests so we need your help with that! While we know we can never fully stop those pesky illnesses we do have a few health requirements for all of our Bounders that we hope will further mitigate the risks of illness.
VACCINE/PREVENTATIVE REQUIREMENTS
We Require the following vaccines and/or titers annually:
- Rabies
- Bordetella
- Distemper
- Leptospirosis
- Parvovirus
We Require your pup to be on the following preventatives:
- Flea
- Tick
- Heartworm
Just like a human daycare or school, we will always do our best to ensure any illness outbreaks are identified and contained but please be aware that we can offer no guarantee that your dog won’t occasionally get the sniffles or a cough! We promise to always let you know if we see your dog with any symptoms!
SPAY/NEUTER
Certain behaviors such as aggression are more prevalent with unaltered dogs. To ensure the most safe and most fun environment possible we ask that all Bounders be Spayed or Neutered.
We understand that it is much safer to wait longer to Spay or Neuter a larger dog than you would a small dog. This means if you have a large breed puppy there may be a period of time that it is too young to be Spayed or Neutered. We certainly make an exception for dogs who are not yet old enough. Below you will find a table outlining at what age your dog must be Spayed or Neutered in order to use our facilities based on adult weight.
To be clear, the weights listed on this table are based on the average adult weight for your dog’s breed. For example, your Great Dane puppy may only weigh 60-70 lbs at 7 months old but we certainly wouldn’t expect you to have it altered this soon. As an adult it will be well above our 80lbs large dog threshold so for this dog you would be allowed up to 12 months before we would require it to be Spayed or Neutered.
| Puppies Under 7 Months Old | No spay/neuter requirement |
| Small to Medium Dogs 1-80 lbs | Must be spayed/neutered 7 months and older |
| Large Dogs Over 80 lbs | Must be spayed/neutered 12 months and older |
Please bear in mind that even though we make an exception for large dogs to go longer without being altered, we still must reserve the right to disallow your dog from using our facilities if we feel they pose a safety or health risk to any other dogs, staff, or the public.
If you have any questions at all regarding the above table or the timeline for having your dog Spayed or Neutered please don’t hesitate to ask us!
BREED RESTRICTIONS
Unfortunately, due to insurance and/or liability-related concerns we do have certain breeds that we cannot allow in our facility at this time. We realize that this can be somewhat of a controversial topic, and while we absolutely sympathize with any frustrations this may cause, unfortunately there are certain things that are beyond our control.
We love dogs of all types and breeds and while we would love to have all types of dogs join us in our facilities, we are simply unable to accommodate these breeds:
- Bull Terrier
- American Bully
- American Staffordshire Terrier
- American Pitbull Terrier
- Staffordshire Bull Terrier
- Rottweiler
- Akita
- Cane Corso
Please note: If you list your dog with us as a non-restricted breed but your dog resembles that of any of the breeds listed above, we may be required to ask for some form of documentation from a licensed veterinarian to verify your dog’s breed. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause and we are happy to contact your veterinarian on your behalf.
AGE
Our minimum age is 6 months.
We strive to keep a very clean and safe facility for all of our Bounders. However, puppies are inherently more vulnerable to illness than older dogs, and of course, very young puppies are not even old enough for their vaccines yet! Instead, out of an abundance of caution, we restrict our pack to dogs who are 6 months and older.
We have no maximum age.
We welcome adult dogs of any age into the facility. In fact, older dogs who are often inactive at home have a blast in our facility. We are very conscious of our Bounders and their needs and so we try to segment dogs based on size and activity.
For example, if you have a large elderly dog who is fairly slow and inactive, we sometimes find that placing that dog in a playgroup with small to medium size dogs can give them a better experience than placing them with more active dogs of their same size.
In any case, rest assured that no matter your dog’s age, we are well-prepared for them and will devote our unending effort to make sure they have a safe, fun, and enriching time with us.
NEW BOUNDER TEMPERAMENT TEST:
REQUIRED FOR ALL NEW BOUNDERS
Your dog’s first day with us will be an intro day where BarkBound staff will perform a temperament test on all dogs prior to introduction to a playgroup. The temperament test allows the opportunity for a dog to be slowly introduced to the playgroup(s) while under the close supervision of our well-trained staff.
We watch for signs of unreasonable, unusual, or overt aggression, whether that be with staff or other dogs. We also use this time to learn about your dog and their communication methods, and also what makes them tick. Our staff is very well adept with canine body language and before long they get to know all of our regular Bounders and can tell when they are happy, sad, nervous, angry, anxious, etc.
We use the information you provide in the pet profile in conjunction with the temperament test to determine your dog’s suitability for a playgroup. We will make every effort to place dogs in appropriate groups based on temperament, size, energy level, and age. We very rarely have to turn any dogs away from our facility or services, as we are typically successful in introducing most dogs to a playgroup.
The majority of dogs pass the temperament test with no issues. With that said, we understand that, like people, dogs may have a bad day or not get along with certain other dogs. As a result, if we believe it is necessary to protect the health and well-being of your dog, other dogs, or our staff, we may have to take action. Such action may include temporarily removing your dog from the playgroup(s) for a break or changing your dog’s type of boarding/daycare arrangement or playgroup.
In extreme cases, we may have to go further and not allow your dog back into the facility.
DAYCARE
We pride ourselves on maximizing safe and fun play while also giving your dog much-needed enrichment and socialization – they make friends while you are at work or away!
You may Drop-off/Pickup your dog any time during normal business hours, we do not currently require reservations for Daycare though they are greatly encouraged and appreciated.
We maintain a strict dog to staff ratio in our facility. This ensures that we have adequate eyes and hands on all of our Bounders at all times. As such, and because we do not require reservations for daycare, the number of staff needed to be scheduled in our facility each day may vary greatly.
We have many staff members who may be “on-call” or otherwise part time to deal with the variation in demand on a day to day basis. So in order to ensure we can adequately staff the facility as demand requires we are currently unable to offer half-day rates even if you pick your Bounder up early.
We will continue to evaluate our staffing and demand and hope to be able to offer half-day rates very soon!
Our daycare is split into two main halves of the day with a break/nap time in the middle.
Our daycare schedule is as follows:
| 7:00am - 10:00am | Greet & Playtime | Bounders trickle in, greet each other, and play away! |
| 10:00am - 11:00am | Enrichment | We pause play to introduce enriching activities. |
| 11:00am - 12:00pm | Free Play | Bounders get back to playing their hearts out! |
| 12:00pm - 2:00pm | Rest Break/Lunch | We pause play to relax, take naps, and eat. |
| 2:00pm - 3:00pm | Dance Party | Bounders get back to playing with some upbeat music. |
| 3:00pm - 4:00pm | Enrichment | Another round of enriching activities. |
| 4:00pm - 6:00pm | Second Wind | Playtime starts again and we strive to tucker them out! |
| 6:00pm - 7:00pm | Cool Down | We calm everything back down so Fido is relaxed for home. |
| After Hours | Closing and Cleaning | We take care of our boarders and clean the entire facility. |
BarkBound will practice diligence to ensure the safety, well-being, and happiness of every dog in our facility. It’s important to note, however, that despite our commitment to safety and diligence, there are certain risks associated with allowing the freedom of dogs to interact with other dogs.
As rare as these events are, and even with constant supervision, nips, scratches, or even dogfights may occur.
Each pet owner needs to understand the risks involved. BarkBound is not responsible for any incident, injury, or illness sustained as a result of your dog’s interaction with other dogs in our facility.
BOARDING
We offer three tiers of boarding accommodations none of which sacrifice comfort or security for your pup. All of our boarding options include daycare – so rest assured that your pup is getting all the usual playtime while you are away! Finally, each of our Bounders get their own kennel or suite to themselves. We of course also allow requests for multiple dogs to stay in the same kennel or suite though we will need to assess each request individually to ensure all dogs have enough space to be safe and comfortable.
Basic Kennel: Our most modest accommodations. Located in one of our kennel banks, we have multiple sizes which vary from small to medium to large. Depending on availability, the largest of these kennels can comfortably accommodate any single Bounders under 80lbs and are assigned based on the dog’s size.
We also have additional wire-type crates that are only used for short-notice or walk-in boarders. To be clear, we only use such wire-type crates in the event that all of our other accommodations are full or otherwise booked up and only if you elect to use such accommodations. We will never put your pup in a wire-type crate without your express consent and will always move your pup to a normal basic kennel should one become available.
Deluxe Suite: At 3ft by 5ft these suites are safe, spacious, and comfortable. Our Deluxe accommodations have no size or weight restrictions for single Bounders and even allow up to 2 dogs under 80lbs in a single suite.
Premium Suite: Our most spacious and luxurious accommodations, our Premium Suites are 5ft by 6ft framed stalls with custom tiling, and an upgraded dog bed. Like the Deluxe Suites, our Premium Suites have no size or weight restrictions for single Bounders. Our Premium Suites are however, large enough to accommodate up to 3 small dogs or 2 large dogs (even those over 80lbs!)
In addition to the normal daycare schedule, boarders are taken outside before 8:00am and between 9:00pm - 11:00pm, and each boarding kennel is cleaned at least once per day.
Boarders are fed breakfast lunch and dinner subject to the food and feeding section of this document.
Check-In Time: You may drop your pup off any time during normal business hours on the first day of your boarding reservation. Please note that as outlined in the daycare section we are currently unable to offer half-day rates.
Check-Out Time: Unless otherwise arranged, check-out time for all boarders is 11:00am on the last day of their reservation. A failure to pick your dog up by 11:00am may result in an additional daycare charge being added to your account.
CANCELLATION/NO SHOW POLICY
Cancellations must be received at least forty-eight hours (48 hours) prior to your reservation date.
If cancellation notice is less than forty-eight hours (48 hours) an amount equal to one-half (1/2) of your reservation will be invoiced.
MEDICATIONS/SUPPLEMENTS
If your dog is on medication and/or vitamin supplements, please bring more than enough of each for your dog’s entire stay.
If the supply of medications or supplements you provided is exhausted during your dog’s stay,
BarkBound will make every effort to procure essential medications only, and you will be charged for the quantity purchased as well as a procurement fee.
Charges may apply for the administration of medications and/or supplements.
FOOD AND FEEDING
We have two methods of feeding at Barkbound.
Owner Supplied Food
We encourage you to bring your dog’s own food in a sealed and labeled container. We will use that food at lunchtime for daycare and also at Breakfast and Dinner for our Bounders who are boarding with us.
Please bring more than enough for your dog’s entire stay if boarding. If your dog runs out of food during their stay, we will automatically add the food service option onto their stay.
Food Service
If you purchase food service during your dog’s stay, we will feed them our veterinarian approved diet at breakfast and dinner.
Please be aware, in order to ensure their safety, dogs with severe food allergies are not eligible for food service due to the myriad of potential ingredients and other variations. Owners of any dogs with severe food allergies must bring food with them for use during scheduled feeding times for boarders.
If your dog requires a special diet and the supply you provided is exhausted during your dog’s stay, BarkBound will make every effort to procure the same or similar type of food on your behalf; however, we will need to add this to your account for reimbursement.
PERSONAL ITEMS
We ask that you do not bring items with your dog that are valuable or irreplaceable. Each dog staying with us has their own cubby with their belongings. With that said, on rare occasions, things get misplaced, ruined, or broken. BarkBound is not responsible for loss or damage to any item(s), including but not limited to bedding or toys.
BATHING
We’ll always do our best to avoid your pup getting too dirty while they are with us, but rest assured, it will happen. Please be aware that your pup may come home from a fun day a little dirtier than you left them, a sure sign of a good time… We happily offer bathing services in our facility’s full dog bathing suite and we can accommodate any of our Bounders of any size!
Before booking any bathing services, please let us know if your dog has any issues with being bathed or picked up. We may have to refuse bathing services to certain dogs if we are unable to safely bath them.
PAYMENT
All charges must be paid in full when picking up your dog. We accept cash as well as credit/debit (Visa, Mastercard, and Discover).
For services that require recurring payments, we require a credit or debit card to be on file which will automatically be charged as those services renew. We are also happy to keep a card on file for all other services should you elect to do so for convenience.
Should you encounter any sort of billing discrepancy or issues with your payment method(s) please let us know as soon as possible to avoid any surcharges or fees or so that we may investigate the situation.
UNREACHABLE OWNER/ABANDONED DOG POLICY
If you fail to pick up your dog by the designated time and have failed to make satisfactory alternative arrangements with us, BarkBound will continue to provide basic services to ensure the dog’s health and safety. This will result in additional charges and fees, which will continue to accrue.
BarkBound will make all reasonable efforts to contact you using the information we have on file. It is your responsibility to ensure we have the correct information on file at all times.
If we are unable to reach you to extend your dog’s stay with us and your dog is not picked up within a reasonable period of time, your dog will be deemed to have been abandoned at which time BarkBound will deliver the dog to a third-party adoption partner or to the local humane society/animal control.
By abandoning your dog you understand that you may lose ownership of your dog under these circumstances.
BarkBound assumes no liability or responsibility for your dog if it is abandoned and is turned over to a third party. Any unpaid charges will remain due to Barkbound.
LEGAL DISCLAIMER
Our attorneys made us put this in here. Customer rights and the duties of Bark Bound, LLC are as stated in your Service Agreement and Liability Waiver. These Facility Terms of Use do not confer additional rights on customers nor additional duties on Bark Bound, LLC. If there are any inconsistencies between the Facility Terms of Use and the Service Agreement and Liability Waiver, the latter shall control.