Policies & FAQs
We keep our policies straightforward so you can plan with confidence — and so every guest enjoys a calm, safe stay.
Note: Some policies apply to all services, while others apply specifically to boarding/daycare. If you’re ever unsure, contact us and we’ll clarify before your booking.
Hours of Operation & Appointments
What are your standard drop-off and pick-up windows?
To support calm transitions and consistent care routines, all arrivals and departures take place within structured time windows.
Morning: 8:00 AM – 10:00 AM (7 days per week)
Afternoon/Evening: 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM (Sunday to Friday)
Outside of peak travel periods, clients may arrive anytime within these windows. During high-demand seasons, scheduled appointment times may be assigned to maintain smooth traffic flow and prevent congestion.
Can I schedule a drop-off or pick-up outside of your standard windows?
Yes — by appointment, subject to availability.
Arrivals and departures may be scheduled between the two standard windows and for up to 7:00 PM. A convenience fee applies for services outside of regular open times to ensure appropriate staffing coverage and maintain consistent care routines.
Is daycare available seven days a week?
No. Daycare is available Monday to Friday. Weekend daycare is not offered.
What happens if I arrive outside my scheduled window?
Arrivals outside scheduled windows require prior approval.
While we allow limited flexibility, arrivals outside approved times may result in a convenience fee as outlined in our boarding agreement.
Are tours available without an appointment?
No. Tours are available by appointment only at:
1:30 PM
2:00 PM
2:30 PM
Tours are offered daily except Wednesdays.
Health & Vaccination Requirements
What vaccinations are required?
All dogs must have up-to-date Rabies and DHPP vaccinations prior to arrival.
We do not require Bordetella; however, we do ask for verification if your dog has received it so we can maintain accurate health records.
Vaccination records must be provided before your dog’s stay or trial day.
When must vaccinations be administered?
All required vaccinations must be administered at least 14 days prior to check-in.
This ensures proper immune response and vaccine efficacy before your dog enters a shared-care environment.
Dogs vaccinated within the 14-day window will need to reschedule their visit.
Should I limit my dog’s exposure before visiting The Loyalist Barkway?
Yes.
To reduce health risks, dogs must avoid high-traffic canine environments for at least 14 days prior to any visit, including:
Dog parks
Other boarding facilities
Veterinary clinics
Grooming salons
If your dog has visited any of these environments, any service — including boarding, daycare, grooming, trial days, tours, or other appointments — must be scheduled at least 14 days after that exposure.
This policy supports a controlled, stable environment for all dogs in our care.
Deposits, Payments & Cancellations
Is a deposit required to secure a booking?
Yes. A non-refundable deposit is required to secure your booking.
Standard stays: the greater of two nights or 25% of the total booking.
Long weekends & peak periods: three nights.
Very short stays: the full booking amount may be required as a deposit.
Deposits are applied to your final invoice at checkout.
Why are deposits non-refundable?
Our deposit policies are part of capacity planning, not penalties.
When we reserve space for your dog, we allocate staffing and turn away other bookings for those dates. The deposit secures that reserved space and reflects the commitment required to maintain structured, responsible operations.
If you request changes more than three weeks prior to your scheduled check-in date, your booking may be transferred to new dates. This flexibility does not apply during peak seasons or long weekends, and a reservation may only be moved once.
What happens if I shorten or change my stay?
Changes or shortened stays made within three weeks of your scheduled arrival may be charged at the original booking amount.
Space and staffing are allocated in advance, and late adjustments can leave reserved space unfilled.
Holiday and peak-period bookings cannot be rescheduled.
Is a credit card required on file?
Yes. A valid credit card must be kept on file for all bookings.
This allows us to process deposits, manage late changes, and address any incidentals that may arise during your dog’s stay.
Keeping a card on file also enables us to release your dog to an authorized alternate pickup person if you are unable to collect them yourself.
Are there minimum stay requirements?
Yes. Minimum stays apply during certain periods:
- Weekends: Two-night minimum
- Holidays: Three-night minimum
- Christmas: Four-night minimum
Early pickup does not reduce or change the minimum booking charge.
Trial Days & Suitability
Is a trial day required before boarding?
Yes.
For new guests staying longer than two nights, a trial day is required to confirm that we are a safe and appropriate fit.
A trial day is also required for any returning guest who has not stayed with us in the past 12 months. This allows us to reassess routines, handling comfort, and group compatibility to ensure your dog’s continued safety and wellbeing.
Are trial days complimentary?
Yes.
Trial days are complimentary when a longer booking is confirmed and the required deposit has been placed.
What happens if my dog is not a suitable fit?
In the rare event that we determine a dog is not suitable for our environment, longer stays are assessed on a case-by-case basis, with safety and welfare as the priority.
Unsuitability may relate to factors such as timing and readiness — for example, a dog who may benefit from additional training or maturity before boarding.
If a deposit has been placed for a longer booking, it will be refunded less the cost of the daycare trial day.
Safety, Handling & Behaviour
Are collars required?
Yes. All guests must arrive wearing a properly fitted flat collar for safe handling and controlled transitions.
Collars must fit securely and allow for safe attachment of a leash during arrivals, departures, and movement within the facility.
What if my dog requires modified care during their stay?
If a dog’s behaviour presents safety concerns at any time, we may transition them to partial or full privacy boarding to ensure safe handling and appropriate care.
Privacy decisions are made at our discretion based on safety and behavioural assessment. While owners may request privacy boarding, removal from privacy status requires written confirmation from a certified behaviour professional indicating that the behaviours which led to privacy placement have been addressed.
Any request to return from privacy to standard boarding requires a new trial day to reassess suitability and ensure safety.
Privacy boarding carries an additional fee to reflect the increased staffing and individualized care required.
What happens if my dog shows human-directed aggression?
Human-directed aggression is not accepted under any circumstances.
If a dog displays human-aggressive behaviour during a trial day or visit, the session will be ended immediately and the owner will be contacted for prompt pickup.
Safety for staff, clients, and other dogs is non-negotiable.
Do you accept intact (unneutered) males?
Yes. Intact males are accepted based on behavioural assessment.
All dogs must demonstrate appropriate social behaviour. Mounting, persistent dominance behaviours, or disruption of other dogs are not permitted and may result in modified care or privacy boarding.
Do you accept dogs that are aggressive toward other dogs?
Behavioural suitability is assessed individually.
Dogs that are not appropriate for group interaction may be accommodated under privacy boarding, including double privacy, where they do not interact with other dogs. Privacy and double privacy options carry additional fees due to increased supervision and modified routines.
Do you accept senior dogs?
Senior dogs are assessed individually.
Dogs over approximately 11–12 years of age may require reassessment, even if they have stayed with us recently. Owners may be asked to complete a self-assessment, and we reserve the right to decline bookings if a dog’s frailty or medical condition exceeds what we can safely accommodate.
Can I be asked to pick up my dog early?
Yes.
In rare cases where safety cannot be maintained, we may require immediate pickup by the owner or an authorized contact.
Safety for staff and all dogs in our care remains the priority at all times.
Veterinary Care & Emergencies
Do I need to provide an emergency contact?
Yes.
Clients must provide an emergency contact who is authorized to retrieve their dog if needed and to make decisions on the owner’s behalf should veterinary attention be required.
The emergency contact must be able to reach our facility within three hours if called.
What happens if my dog becomes ill or injured during their stay?
If your dog becomes ill or injured while in our care, we are authorized to seek veterinary attention as needed.
If neither the owner nor the designated emergency contact can be reached, emergency treatment may be authorized when necessary to protect the dog’s health and welfare.
All veterinary and associated costs are the responsibility of the owner.
Is there a Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) option?
Yes.
A Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) option is available within our boarding agreement and must be intentionally reviewed and acknowledged by the owner.
Our standard agreement reflects that we will exercise due diligence to ensure each dog’s health and wellbeing, including seeking veterinary care when necessary. A DNR decision applies only when explicitly selected in writing within the signed agreement.
If a DNR is not selected, appropriate emergency veterinary care will be pursued.
Can you administer medications?
Yes. We can administer simple medications during your dog’s stay.
If your dog requires specialized medication routines, injections, or complex care protocols, please contact us in advance so we can confirm suitability and review care requirements prior to booking.
What to Bring
Can I bring items from home?
Yes.
We encourage you to bring familiar items from home to help your dog feel comfortable and settled. This may include enrichment items such as Kongs, lick mats, or puzzle toys, as well as a favourite blanket.
All personal items must be clearly labeled with your dog’s name.
Are there any restrictions on beds?
Yes.
Beds must be small enough to be machine washable. Large beds are difficult to manage if they become soiled, wet, or involved in an accident.
Are there any items I should not bring?
Yes.
Please do not bring rope toys or rawhide. These items pose safety and ingestion risks in a boarding environment.
We reserve the right to remove any item that presents a safety concern during your dog’s stay.
What should I bring for my dog’s meals?
We recommend sending your dog’s usual diet to maintain consistency and digestive stability during their stay.
We can accommodate pre-prepared meals, including raw diets. However, we are not able to cook or prepare food on-site.
Please ensure all meals are clearly labeled and portioned where possible.
What happens if I do not provide enough food?
Owners are responsible for providing sufficient food for their dog’s entire stay.
If food runs out, we may transition your dog to our in-house diet or purchase the same brand and formula your dog is currently eating.
Any food purchased on your behalf will be billed accordingly, and a service fee will apply if we are required to leave the facility to obtain it.
Do personal items need to be labeled?
Yes. All personal items must be clearly labeled with your dog’s name.
This helps ensure items are returned correctly and prevents mix-ups during your dog’s stay.
Parasites & Special Cases
What if my dog has fleas or ticks?
Dogs found to have external parasites, including fleas or ticks, will not be admitted until the condition has been fully resolved.
This policy protects the health and safety of all dogs in our care.
Can you accommodate a female dog in heat?
No.
We are unable to accommodate female dogs in heat. This can be very disruptive to other guests in a boarding environment.
If your dog enters heat prior to a scheduled stay, please contact us to discuss rescheduling options.
Is boarding and daycare risk-free?
While we take reasonable care and maintain high standards of sanitation and supervision, boarding and group environments involve inherent risks.
If you have questions about your dog’s specific needs, reach out — we’re happy to talk through options.
Ready to Schedule?
If everything looks good, you’re ready to reserve your dog’s stay. Peak periods fill quickly, so we recommend securing your dates in advance.