the lounge

<h5>Can I have pictures and videos and daily updates of my pet while I'm away? And do you have webcams?</h5> <p>Pictures? Videos? Daily updates?</p> <p>Yesssiiirrree!</p> <p>If you let us know you'd like that... your wish is our command. And we also post our "DKC Weekly Photo Shoot" on our Facebook and Instagram pages, which includes pics of all the pets currently staying with us ~ including yours, of course.</p> <p>As for the webcam thing... sorry, no, we don't have webcams (did we just spoil it for you?).</p>

<h5>Will you clip my pet's nails if needed?</h5> <div class="faq_ans_img"><img loading="lazy" src="https://d6hd18130ua9m.cloudfront.net/images/faqs/faq_42.jpg"></div> <div class="faq_ans_text"><p>Yes we will.</p> <p>Our staff are well trained for this and we always check for such things with all dogs, cats and birds... and anyone else that might need it. (Yes, yes, of course we'll clip yours too... but only if ask you <em>real</em> nice.) We won't do any actual clipping without your permission, however, so just ask us to and/or we'll let you know if we think it's needed.</p> <p>For dogs and cats, no charge!</p> <p>For birds, this can sometimes require sedation and, therefore, veterinary involvement, and therefore charges, but we'll talk to you about that if we think it's needed, of course, and don't hesitate to ask.</p></div>

<h5>My dog stayed in your kennels and now he has a hangover!</h5> <p>No, we do <em><strong>not</strong></em> serve alcohol at DKC!  <img alt="" src="/graphics/ic_smiley3.png"></p> <p>"Kennel hangover" is a rather common thing... and a good one, if we do say so ourselves! You see, there is so much activity and general stimulation in a good kennel, that when your dog gets home it is very common for him or her to be a little tired for a couple of days ~ all that running around, socializing and barking their heads off with all their kennel neighbours (watch for that hoarsey-throat! <img alt="" src="/graphics/ic_wink.png" height="15" width="15"> ), and no sitting around vegging in front of the TV!</p> <p>So don't worry but do keep an eye. In almost all cases, this is just a happy, if a little tired, dog. If he or she continues being a little down or lethargic for more than a day or so, please do let us and your vet know. </p>

<h5>What's your daycare service like?</h5> <div class="faq_ans_img"><img loading="lazy" src="https://d6hd18130ua9m.cloudfront.net/images/faqs/faq_pet_photo_32.jpg"></div> <div class="faq_ans_text"><p>Dogs in daycare with us basically follow the same routine throughout the day that all our boarders do, including playtime in our large sandy, tree-filled yards, mixing with other dogs (if you let us), food (of course!) and generally lots and lots of excitement while in their enclosures because of all the other dogs around and the many many many staff we have constantly checking in and constantly around and about. Why don't you come and see for yourself?</p> <p>See our <a href="/about-dkc/two-legged-timings" target="_blank">Two-Legged Timings</a>. We even work out a schedule for those of you who need to drop-off and pick-up schedule outside these hours.</p></div>

<h5>Should I bring toys for my dog when coming to board?</h5> <p>Toys are great, and helpful, when dogs are at home because they grab their wild attentions and abate boredom. In boarding though, your pooch has lots of other dog friends to play with and, believe it or not, they end up losing interest in those toys!</p> <p>However, for dogs still interested in their toys when with us, but staying in our Lounge, Feedroom or in one of our offices where all the dogs are in groups and close proximity, there is sometimes the possibility of them getting possessive of their toys, which doesn't help anyone. <img alt="" src="/graphics/ic_smiley3.png" height="15" width="15">  Of course, if your dog has a toy that he's REALLY attached to, and if he's staying in an enclosure by himself, then you can always bring that along.</p>

<h5>What's DKC's Collection & Delivery schedule?</h5> <div class="faq_ans_img"><img loading="lazy" src="https://d6hd18130ua9m.cloudfront.net/images/faqs/faq_pet_photo_51.jpg"></div> <div class="faq_ans_text"><p>Sunday-Friday. We don't offer this service on Saturday. (See our <a href="/about-dkc/two-legged-timings" target="_blank">Two-Legged Timings</a>.)</p> <p>We have a lot of customers asking for very specific appointments but this is often not possible, although we <em>do</em> try if we can, because each day presents its own unpredictable schedules, number of home-visits, number of pets and... traffic!</p> <p>However, we <em><strong>always call</strong></em> approximately 30 minutes before we get to you while we're doin' the rounds, so <em>do</em> feel free to go about your day as you need to and then, when you hear from us, you can return to your home to meet us.</p></div>

<h5>Do I have to provide my own pet food? What type of food do you provide?</h5> <div class="faq_ans_img"><img loading="lazy" src="https://d6hd18130ua9m.cloudfront.net/images/faqs/faq_pet_photo_43.jpg"></div> <div class="faq_ans_text"><p>No you don't. We provide everything.</p> <p>We rely primarily on dry Royal Canin, wet Lily's Kitchen for dogs and wet Catit for cats... and also chicken, tuna and rice when needed or specifically wanted.</p> <p>Of course, if you have a special diet (your own concoction or a veterinary prescription) we can do that too... although for these there <em>might</em> be additional charges.</p> <p>To learn more, take a look here: <span class="span_link cursorpointer" data-href="/what-we-do/boarding-daycare/love-and-other-stuff-too#Special-Diets">Love... and other stuff too/Special Diets</span>.</p></div>

<h5>Should I be worried if my dog or cat has lost or gained weight during their boarding stay?</h5> <p>No and yes, depending.</p> <p>A little bit of weight gain or loss is very common. It doesn't happen to all pets during every stay in a boarding facility, but it does happen. Pet owners, understandably, often immediately feel that this must mean their pet has not been taken care of properly, but in fact it is more important to look at the entire context and the extent of the loss or gain.</p> <p>Commonly, pets staying in a boarding facility are not eating exactly as they do at home. They may or may not be eating exactly the same food (depending on the arrangements you've made with the kennel or cattery), and even if they are, they may not be eating exactly the same amounts because, despite every effort to get it just right, human beings differ and the precise amounts they provide may be a little different than you do when your pet is at home. So, all this small change can lead to weight gain or loss, in and of itself.</p> <p>More important and relevant than this, however, is that pets are generally much more active in a boarding facility than they are at home. Now <em>wait</em>! We're <em>not</em> saying that you aren't taking good care of your pet by not giving him or her lots of activity. No, not at all. It's just that in a boarding facility, especially one that has a good number of staff and lots of other animals around, the whole environment is very stimulating and there is a lot of exercise for dogs and lots of other general interest for both dogs and cats. And this keeps them more active and generally more stimulated, even if they're in their enclosures. And this, in turn, often leads to a bit of weight loss.</p> <p>And one more thing: In many cases, a little bit of weight loss for dogs and cats is a good thing and although we have many customers who do worry about this, we also have a great many who are pleased to see that their pet has lost a little weght in our care because, in fact, they came in to us a little overweight.</p> <p>But of course, everyone has a different perception of this, and if the weight of your pet is not medically bad, one way or the other, then we do try to maintain the weight your pet comes in with.</p> <p>This all said, too much weight gain or loss IS a problem and if you feel there has been too much either way, we truly hope you'll talk to us about this. We monitor this aspect of your pet's health very closely, with a weight check when they first arrive for boarding and then regular checking every week, or more often if we perceive a potential problem. And if there is a problem, we always let you know about it while you're away and take action when required by adjusting feeding or even consulting your vet.</p> <p>If you're interested in more insight about this important subject, take a look at our page, "<a href="/what-we-do/boarding-daycare/weight-loss-or-gain-while-boarding" target="_blank">Weight Loss or Gain While Boarding</a>".</p>

<h5>What are your vehicles like? How will my pet travel?</h5> <div class="faq_ans_img"><img loading="lazy" src="https://d6hd18130ua9m.cloudfront.net/images/faqs/faq_52.jpg"></div> <div class="faq_ans_text"><p>We use converted passenger vans (such as the Toyota Hiace) which have been heavily modified for our pet collection and delivery service. Take a look at <a href="/what-we-do/collection-delivery" target="_blank">Collection & Delivery</a>.</p> <p>Now, as we've said, these are people-passenger vans, <em><strong>not</strong></em> cargo vans; this is an important distinction because passenger vans have windows all around the vehicle so that plenty of light gets in, and also high-quality air-conditioning throughout. Furthermore, we've added fans to create even better air circulation.</p> <p>All the seats have been removed, of course, and replaced by metal flooring with embedded hooks, so when we put your pet and her/his travel box into the van, we can use strong ties to secure the boxes in-place.</p> <p>And finally, there's no solid/opaque partition between our handlers who are driving the vans and your pets in the back, which means we always know what's going on and your pets aren't isolated at all during the trip.</p> <p>And just so you know, we transport any animal in these vehicles, not just your dogs and cats.</p> <p>Oh, and one more thing: We do <em>not</em> have "drivers". The same Animal Handlers who take care of your pets when in our care are the ones who will come to your home for Collection & Delivery.</p></div>