FAQs | Big Little Paws

GENERAL QUESTIONS

1. What services does Big Little Paws offer?
We offer home-style doggy daycare and overnight boarding in a true home environment. Dogs enjoy supervised play, nap breaks, outdoor time, and loving care throughout the day.

2. What are your hours of operation?

For boarding: We’re open Monday - Friday from 7:30 AM to 7:30 PM and Saturday and Sunday from 8 AM to 6 PM.

For daycare: We’re open Monday - Friday from 7:30 AM - 7:30 PM. No daycare on weekends.

Drop-offs and pick-ups must be scheduled in advance, and confirmed by us, as we have limited seats. Only available Monday - Saturday.

3. Do I need to book in advance?
Yes, all services require advance booking. We operate on a limited-capacity model to ensure a safe, peaceful, and enriching experience for every dog in our care. We do not accommodate last minute requests for new dogs. A meet and greet followed by a consultation day is required before all first stays.

4. What makes Big Little Paws different from traditional kennels?
We’re not a kennel. We offer a cozy, family-style setting where dogs are treated like part of the pack. No concrete floors or cages — just couches, playrooms, and plenty of love. We do have a few crates because some dogs truly do love to hang in the crate! We also use them for feeding time to separate out the dogs so they do not eat each other’s food.

5. How many dogs do you care for at one time?
We keep our group intentionally moderate, so each pup receives plenty of individual attention, enrichment, and supervision. 20 is our max for overnights and daycare. We do combine the max number count on the same day for daycare and boarding; however, only 20 dogs are allowed to stay overnight. There is a high chance it doesn’t get that high unless it’s a holiday. We typically have anywhere between 6-12 dogs every weekend.

6. Do you accept foster dogs?

We do not accept foster dogs. We’ve tried in the past but for the safety of all the dogs in our care, we require the dog to have a consistent owner.

NEW CLIENTS + MEET & GREET

7. What is the process for new clients?
All new dogs begin with a complimentary Meet & Greet followed by a free daycare trial day. This helps us ensure a great fit and allows your pup to get comfortable with our environment before any overnight stay. We will text first to schedule a Meet & Greet, send you a link to schedule your own desired date and time that works best with your schedule with the times that we offer.

8. What happens during the free meet and greet?
We’ll give your pup a chance to explore the space, meet a few of our regulars, and get to know us in a calm, low-pressure way. If we do have any boarding or at the house for daycare, we will introduce all dogs one by one to not overwhelm your baby. We’ll also chat with you about your dog’s routine, needs,preferences, etc.

9. Why do you require a free daycare session before a stay?
It’s all about trust and comfort — for your dog and for us. A trial day helps your dog get used to our home, and gives us time to observe their behavior in our group setting.

10. What makes us a great fit for your pup?
We’re the perfect place for dogs who thrive in a safe, loving, family-style environment. To join our pack, we require:

No history of aggression towards humans or other dogs.
Spayed or neutered status for all dogs over 7 months.
Up-to-date vaccinations and consistent heartworm and flea prevention
Must be okay in a group setting
Willing to complete a meet and greet + trail daycare prior to any future booking

DAYCARE

10. What does a typical day of doggy daycare look like?
The day includes walks, indoor and outdoor play, rest breaks, enrichment toys, and plenty of love. Dogs rotate between playgroups and rest areas based on energy levels and needs.

11. How much playtime and rest time do the dogs get?
We balance play and downtime intentionally. Some dogs need more active time, others prefer lounging — we tailor the schedule to each dog’s temperament.

12. Are dogs ever crated or kenneled during the day?
Only upon owner request or if a pup needs a little decompression time. Otherwise, dogs are free to roam in our supervised home environment.

BOARDING

13. What is included in an overnight stay?
Overnight stays include full-day daycare, 2 walks (weather complying), dinner and breakfast feeding, a comfy sleeping setup, and bedtime snuggles. We take the dogs on 2 walks. Unlike other daycare and boarding facilities, we do not charge extra for one on one time, love, belly runs, or walks! We have a few add-on options you can select from, like a 3rd walk or a peanut butter kong too!

14. Can I bring my dog’s own bed, food, or toys?
Yes! Please bring your dog’s usual food to help with tummy comfort. You’re welcome to bring blankets and food bowls that make them feel at home. We do ask for you to leave their bed at home and toys at home. We provide beds and toys. We also provide bowls as well that are cleaned daily.

15. Do you board all breeds and sizes?
Yes, we welcome all breeds and sizes as long as they are social, vaccinated, and pass our trial process. Every dog must be comfortable in a group-home setting. We do not accept any dogs who have a past history of aggression with dogs or humans.

16. How do you handle dogs with special needs or medication?
We’re happy to accommodate special diets, medication schedules, and senior dog needs. Please let us know in advance and we’ll make a plan together.

SAFETY & ENVIRONMENT

17. Is someone always present with the dogs?
Yes — dogs are rarely left alone. There’s a human around to monitor play, encourage good behavior, and provide comfort. If we ever have to step out, we are only gone for a couple of hours. In that case, we separate the dogs by behavior, crate them if necessary, and have cameras set up to monitor them.

18. How do you ensure the dogs get along?
We carefully observe behavior and energy levels during the trial period and throughout their stay. Dogs are grouped by compatibility and monitored constantly to maintain harmony.

19. What is your vaccination policy?
All dogs must be up to date on Rabies, Bordetella (kennel cough), and DHPP vaccinations. We also require flea/tick prevention and recommend Canine Influenza for boarding.

20. How do you handle emergencies?
In the rare event of an emergency, we contact you immediately and will transport your dog to our trusted veterinary partners or your preferred vet, depending on the situation.

PRICING & PACKAGES

21. What are your rates for daycare and boarding?
Rates vary based on the service and package. We offer single-daycare rates ($45) as well as discounted multi-day packs for daycare - daycare packs are most common as we have regular daycare members. Boarding is priced per night ($65).

22. Do you offer any discounts or packages?
Yes! We offer 10, 20, and 50-day daycare packages at discounted rates. Boarding membership options are also available for frequent travelers — reach out for details.

23. What’s your cancellation policy?
We kindly ask for at least 24 hours’ notice for daycare cancellations and 72 hours for overnight stays. Holiday bookings may require a 7 day notice cancellation window.

COMMUNICATION & UPDATES

24. Do you send updates or photos of my dog during their stay?
Absolutely! We send daily updates, photos, and report cards so you can rest easy knowing your pup is in great hands. We treat you exactly as we want to be treated when we’ve had to leave our dog with someone!

25. How can I contact you while my dog is with you?
We’re available via text or email during business hours for any check-ins or questions. You’ll also receive real-time updates directly to your phone. We mostly communicate by text for regular updates.