Frequently Asked Questions
Q. How far in advance should I make my boarding reservation?
A. Holidays and the summer months tend to fill up quickly, especially for larger dogs. You should make your reservations as early as possible to ensure your pet's spot. If we are full, we can put you on our wait list.
Q. Was the kennel a hotel/migrant worker camp/rehab facility before it was a kennel?
A. I'm not sure why so many people believe that the kennel started out as either a hotel, a migrant worker camp or a rehab facility, but alas, there is nothing unusual about it's origin; the kennel has always been a kennel. The below aerial photo was taken in 1988 and shows what the kennel looked like when it was first built. When the original owners expanded, they made it look like a "pet" hotel; maybe this is why so many people are convinced it was a hotel.
A. Holidays and the summer months tend to fill up quickly, especially for larger dogs. You should make your reservations as early as possible to ensure your pet's spot. If we are full, we can put you on our wait list.
Q. Was the kennel a hotel/migrant worker camp/rehab facility before it was a kennel?
A. I'm not sure why so many people believe that the kennel started out as either a hotel, a migrant worker camp or a rehab facility, but alas, there is nothing unusual about it's origin; the kennel has always been a kennel. The below aerial photo was taken in 1988 and shows what the kennel looked like when it was first built. When the original owners expanded, they made it look like a "pet" hotel; maybe this is why so many people are convinced it was a hotel.
Q. If I'm running early and/or late, can I just go to the house next door to get assistance?
A. The two houses and two barns around the kennel, are not a part of Country K9. When the original owner sold the facility, they did not include any house or barns. Any property outside of the white box in the below picture is not a part of Country K9 and belongs to our neighbors. Please respect our neighbor's privacy and refrain from driving on their property.
A. The two houses and two barns around the kennel, are not a part of Country K9. When the original owner sold the facility, they did not include any house or barns. Any property outside of the white box in the below picture is not a part of Country K9 and belongs to our neighbors. Please respect our neighbor's privacy and refrain from driving on their property.
Q. What is your deposit/cancellation policy?
A. We realize that plans do change and wish to accommodate all of our customer's needs and will be as flexible as possible. Cancellation is required by 3:00pm 2 days prior to non-holiday reservations and by 3:00pm 3 days prior to holiday reservations (New Year’s, Easter, Memorial Day, July 4th, Labor Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas). Failure to cancel your reservation per our policy or being a "no show" will result in the forfeiture of your deposit or a $25.00 charge to your account.
Q. What is your returned check policy?
A. The return of a check (electronic or paper) issued to Country K9 will result in a $15.00 returned check fee. Each client will be allowed one returned check after which payment by check will not be accepted.
Q. Can I visit my dog while they are being boarded?
A. Changing the environment and the daily routine for your dog can be stressful. Visits can trigger more stress since your dog will think that you will take him/her home with you at the end of the visit. As a rule of thumb, we recommend that you do no visit your dog while they are being boarded unless you are boarding long term or your dog is not stressed by changes in routine.
Q. Does the heat affect my dog's/cat's appetite?
A. Seasonal changes in daylight and temperature trigger significant hormonal changes in mammals, altering metabolism and influencing food intake. As daily temperatures rise, mammals become less active and need less energy. The lengthening of daylight during the warmer months signals this change to the most primitive part of the brain and its hormonal responses, resulting in decreased food seeking behavior and shifts in cellular metabolism.
Q. How much should I feed my dog?
A. Knowing how much to feed your dog is not a simple process. The amount to feed is dependent on the breed of dog, its age and the amount of exercise that the dog gets every day. The adult dog food calculator can help you estimate how much to feed your dog each day. You will need to know your dog’s ideal weight (what they should weigh) and the number of calories in your dog’s food.
Note: The calculator provides estimates only. Always consult with your veterinarian for your dog’s feeding requirements.
Q. Why do some dogs lose weight when boarded?
A. It is not uncommon for a dog to lose weight while boarding. Most of the weight loss is due to the stimulation being very different at a boarding facility than at home. When your dog is home, they most likely spend their day sleeping while you are at work. At a boarding facility, just the normal activities of cleaning, feeding, caring, bathing and grooming attract high levels of excitement. They are also busy barking and playing with their neighbors. If your dog is stressed from boarding, they will also lose weight. Typically, high energy/drive dogs, like German Shepherds, Boxers, Hounds, Belgian Malinois, Vizsla and Weimaraners burn more calories than they can consume while being boarded.
Q: I have multiple pets. Can they stay together? Do you offer discounts?
A: We welcome multiple pet customers. Multiple pets are able to stay together and we do offer a discount when they share a suite. Please indicate if they must be separated for feeding.
Q: Who is taking care of my pet when the lobby is closed?
A: Country K9 is open 365 days a year for boarding your pets, but we maintain lobby hours for drop-offs and pick-ups. Kennel staff work daily to feed, sanitize and provide playtime for your pets, however our lobby is closed for drop-offs/pick-ups on major holidays. Thank you for respecting our time off.
Q: Who can authorize discounts?
A: The owners and/or Facility Manager must authorize all discounts.
Q. What should I do it I have a question/concern/problem/issue?
A: Please request to speak with the facility manager and/or owner so we may address your question/concern/problem/issue. Your feedback is appreciated and welcome. We cannot make improvements to better serve our customers if we are unaware of issues.
Q. What if my dog won't eliminate in their run?
A: If your dog will not eliminate in their run, we walk your dog several times a day at no charge.
Q. What if I can't get there during your lobby hours?
A: If you are running a little late, please call us and we will try to make arrangements and be as accommodating as possible. Please understand just like many other businesses with specific time management schedules, we also have a time specific schedule for our staff to adhere to and we have our guests also needing our attention.
Q. Am I allowed to accompany my pet(s) to and from their accommodations?
A: Absolutely. Customers are always welcome to accompany their pet(s) to and from their accommodations.
Q. What is Kennel Cough?
A: Kennel cough (typically Bordetella bronchiseptica) is a term used to describe a complex of infections both viral and bacterial that causes inflammation of a dog's voice box and windpipe. It's a form of bronchitis and is similar to chest cold in humans. Despite the nick name "kennel cough", dogs can pick up the ailment from anywhere that they come into contact with dogs; the park, veterinarian, groomer, pet friendly stores, etc.
The incubation period is 8-10 days. Symptoms can range from a bad cough, to a lack of exercise, to hacking up foamy liquid.
To help prevent kennel cough, all dogs boarding at our facility must have the vaccine prior to their visit. The kennel cough vaccine, Bordetella, is much like the human flu vaccine. It helps prevent against the main strains, but there is still a chance your dog could still get a cold or even another strain of flu from dogs they come into contact with. The vaccine does not 100% protect your dog from Bordetella. The Bordetella vaccine includes protection against the most common cause of kennel cough, the bacteria Bordetella bronchiseptica. The vaccine does not prevent your dog from getting sick but will ensure that the duration and severity of illness is dramatically reduced. Unfortunately, no amount of supervision, sanitation, or personal care can guarantee complete prevention of Kennel Cough.
Q. Can I bring/toys/blankets/beds from home?
A: Please feel free to bring anything that you wouldn't be upset if it got chewed up during their stay. Please make sure that any items are marked with permanent ink with your last name. Your pets' toys will stay with them in their suites and we do our best to return all toys. Occasionally, a toy may be lost during a playtime or cleaning. If you know that your dog likes to shred beds that contain stuffing, please refrain from bringing this type of bed. The fibers collect in the drains and cause clogs.
Q. My pet is on a special diet. Can I bring my own food?
A: We recommend that you do bring your own food as a change in diet can add stress to your pet, possibly resulting in diarrhea or vomiting. Please mark your pets’ food with your last name. If you choose not to bring your pets’ food or forget, we will provide a high quality, premium nutritious dog and cat food. We can accommodate any of your special feeding needs.
Q. At what age can I board my dog/cat?
A: Your dog/cat should be at least 4 months old so they are current with the series of required vaccinations. Although we do not place an upper age limit on the pets we accept for boarding, we ask that you consider your older pet's special needs. Some older pets have a harder time being away from their home and family and will stress harder than younger pets. We encourage you to find in-home care for your older pets for their comfort. If you have an older pet with a medical condition, then boarding with their veterinarian may be the better option.
Q. Can I call to check up on my pet?
A: Please feel free to call and check on your pet while you are away.
Q. Why does my dog smell I pick her/him up after being boarded?
A: We use cleaning agents that are purpose-made for the veterinary and kennel industry to keep our facility clean. However, in the closed quarters of a boarding kennel amongst other pet guests, a dog's natural odor may become more noticeable. Also if your dogs' accommodations include an outside run, they may get wet if it rains. The bacteria that naturally feed off of oil produced by dogs also like water. When the bacteria eat and reproduce they give off a chemical that creates a smell. Certain customers may also be more sensitive to pet odors after having not been with an animal for a while.
Some dogs may step in their feces and/or urine and become dirty. This happens in the cleanest facilities! Our kennel technicians check each dog prior to their departure and they are bathed for free if they are found to have stepped/sat/rolled (yes this happens). When you pick-up your dog, if you find that he/she is dirty, please just let us know and we will bath them free of charge. We recommend scheduling a grooming appointment for your dog before you pick them up.
Q. Can someone other than myself drop-off and/or pick-up my pet?
A: Yes with your permission and arrangements for payment.
Q. My dog doesn't get along well with other dogs, how do you handle this?
A: The dogs boarding at the facility do not interact with dogs outside of their family unless specifically requested.
Q. What do you do if my pet becomes ill?
A: If a problem arises, we will always try reach you or your emergency contract. We will attempt to take your pet to your veterinarian for treatment but if they are unavailable, we will utilize the local 24 hour emergency facility located approximately 10 miles from our facility.
Q. Why is my pet so thirsty when he/she comes home from a visit?
A: It's natural and you should expect your pet to be a bit thirsty from all the excitement once you get them home. However, do not allow them to drink a full bowl of water as it may cause an upset stomach.
While in our care, pets are monitored carefully for their consumption of fresh water and food. Water is continuously checked and refreshed throughout the day.
Once your pet settles back into their regular routine, and get comfortable, they will establish regular eating and drinking habits.
Q. Can I come for a tour of your facility?
A: Absolutely! For the safety of everyone and to provide as little interruption to our schedule and our guests, we offer tours by appointment. Our schedule is based on the number of boarding reservations, grooming appointments, training consults and dogs in daycare for a particular day. We need to limit any interruptions that prevent us from caring for the pets staying with us.
We are unable to provide tours during the following times:
A. We realize that plans do change and wish to accommodate all of our customer's needs and will be as flexible as possible. Cancellation is required by 3:00pm 2 days prior to non-holiday reservations and by 3:00pm 3 days prior to holiday reservations (New Year’s, Easter, Memorial Day, July 4th, Labor Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas). Failure to cancel your reservation per our policy or being a "no show" will result in the forfeiture of your deposit or a $25.00 charge to your account.
Q. What is your returned check policy?
A. The return of a check (electronic or paper) issued to Country K9 will result in a $15.00 returned check fee. Each client will be allowed one returned check after which payment by check will not be accepted.
Q. Can I visit my dog while they are being boarded?
A. Changing the environment and the daily routine for your dog can be stressful. Visits can trigger more stress since your dog will think that you will take him/her home with you at the end of the visit. As a rule of thumb, we recommend that you do no visit your dog while they are being boarded unless you are boarding long term or your dog is not stressed by changes in routine.
Q. Does the heat affect my dog's/cat's appetite?
A. Seasonal changes in daylight and temperature trigger significant hormonal changes in mammals, altering metabolism and influencing food intake. As daily temperatures rise, mammals become less active and need less energy. The lengthening of daylight during the warmer months signals this change to the most primitive part of the brain and its hormonal responses, resulting in decreased food seeking behavior and shifts in cellular metabolism.
Q. How much should I feed my dog?
A. Knowing how much to feed your dog is not a simple process. The amount to feed is dependent on the breed of dog, its age and the amount of exercise that the dog gets every day. The adult dog food calculator can help you estimate how much to feed your dog each day. You will need to know your dog’s ideal weight (what they should weigh) and the number of calories in your dog’s food.
Note: The calculator provides estimates only. Always consult with your veterinarian for your dog’s feeding requirements.
Q. Why do some dogs lose weight when boarded?
A. It is not uncommon for a dog to lose weight while boarding. Most of the weight loss is due to the stimulation being very different at a boarding facility than at home. When your dog is home, they most likely spend their day sleeping while you are at work. At a boarding facility, just the normal activities of cleaning, feeding, caring, bathing and grooming attract high levels of excitement. They are also busy barking and playing with their neighbors. If your dog is stressed from boarding, they will also lose weight. Typically, high energy/drive dogs, like German Shepherds, Boxers, Hounds, Belgian Malinois, Vizsla and Weimaraners burn more calories than they can consume while being boarded.
Q: I have multiple pets. Can they stay together? Do you offer discounts?
A: We welcome multiple pet customers. Multiple pets are able to stay together and we do offer a discount when they share a suite. Please indicate if they must be separated for feeding.
Q: Who is taking care of my pet when the lobby is closed?
A: Country K9 is open 365 days a year for boarding your pets, but we maintain lobby hours for drop-offs and pick-ups. Kennel staff work daily to feed, sanitize and provide playtime for your pets, however our lobby is closed for drop-offs/pick-ups on major holidays. Thank you for respecting our time off.
Q: Who can authorize discounts?
A: The owners and/or Facility Manager must authorize all discounts.
Q. What should I do it I have a question/concern/problem/issue?
A: Please request to speak with the facility manager and/or owner so we may address your question/concern/problem/issue. Your feedback is appreciated and welcome. We cannot make improvements to better serve our customers if we are unaware of issues.
Q. What if my dog won't eliminate in their run?
A: If your dog will not eliminate in their run, we walk your dog several times a day at no charge.
Q. What if I can't get there during your lobby hours?
A: If you are running a little late, please call us and we will try to make arrangements and be as accommodating as possible. Please understand just like many other businesses with specific time management schedules, we also have a time specific schedule for our staff to adhere to and we have our guests also needing our attention.
Q. Am I allowed to accompany my pet(s) to and from their accommodations?
A: Absolutely. Customers are always welcome to accompany their pet(s) to and from their accommodations.
Q. What is Kennel Cough?
A: Kennel cough (typically Bordetella bronchiseptica) is a term used to describe a complex of infections both viral and bacterial that causes inflammation of a dog's voice box and windpipe. It's a form of bronchitis and is similar to chest cold in humans. Despite the nick name "kennel cough", dogs can pick up the ailment from anywhere that they come into contact with dogs; the park, veterinarian, groomer, pet friendly stores, etc.
The incubation period is 8-10 days. Symptoms can range from a bad cough, to a lack of exercise, to hacking up foamy liquid.
To help prevent kennel cough, all dogs boarding at our facility must have the vaccine prior to their visit. The kennel cough vaccine, Bordetella, is much like the human flu vaccine. It helps prevent against the main strains, but there is still a chance your dog could still get a cold or even another strain of flu from dogs they come into contact with. The vaccine does not 100% protect your dog from Bordetella. The Bordetella vaccine includes protection against the most common cause of kennel cough, the bacteria Bordetella bronchiseptica. The vaccine does not prevent your dog from getting sick but will ensure that the duration and severity of illness is dramatically reduced. Unfortunately, no amount of supervision, sanitation, or personal care can guarantee complete prevention of Kennel Cough.
Q. Can I bring/toys/blankets/beds from home?
A: Please feel free to bring anything that you wouldn't be upset if it got chewed up during their stay. Please make sure that any items are marked with permanent ink with your last name. Your pets' toys will stay with them in their suites and we do our best to return all toys. Occasionally, a toy may be lost during a playtime or cleaning. If you know that your dog likes to shred beds that contain stuffing, please refrain from bringing this type of bed. The fibers collect in the drains and cause clogs.
Q. My pet is on a special diet. Can I bring my own food?
A: We recommend that you do bring your own food as a change in diet can add stress to your pet, possibly resulting in diarrhea or vomiting. Please mark your pets’ food with your last name. If you choose not to bring your pets’ food or forget, we will provide a high quality, premium nutritious dog and cat food. We can accommodate any of your special feeding needs.
Q. At what age can I board my dog/cat?
A: Your dog/cat should be at least 4 months old so they are current with the series of required vaccinations. Although we do not place an upper age limit on the pets we accept for boarding, we ask that you consider your older pet's special needs. Some older pets have a harder time being away from their home and family and will stress harder than younger pets. We encourage you to find in-home care for your older pets for their comfort. If you have an older pet with a medical condition, then boarding with their veterinarian may be the better option.
Q. Can I call to check up on my pet?
A: Please feel free to call and check on your pet while you are away.
Q. Why does my dog smell I pick her/him up after being boarded?
A: We use cleaning agents that are purpose-made for the veterinary and kennel industry to keep our facility clean. However, in the closed quarters of a boarding kennel amongst other pet guests, a dog's natural odor may become more noticeable. Also if your dogs' accommodations include an outside run, they may get wet if it rains. The bacteria that naturally feed off of oil produced by dogs also like water. When the bacteria eat and reproduce they give off a chemical that creates a smell. Certain customers may also be more sensitive to pet odors after having not been with an animal for a while.
Some dogs may step in their feces and/or urine and become dirty. This happens in the cleanest facilities! Our kennel technicians check each dog prior to their departure and they are bathed for free if they are found to have stepped/sat/rolled (yes this happens). When you pick-up your dog, if you find that he/she is dirty, please just let us know and we will bath them free of charge. We recommend scheduling a grooming appointment for your dog before you pick them up.
Q. Can someone other than myself drop-off and/or pick-up my pet?
A: Yes with your permission and arrangements for payment.
Q. My dog doesn't get along well with other dogs, how do you handle this?
A: The dogs boarding at the facility do not interact with dogs outside of their family unless specifically requested.
Q. What do you do if my pet becomes ill?
A: If a problem arises, we will always try reach you or your emergency contract. We will attempt to take your pet to your veterinarian for treatment but if they are unavailable, we will utilize the local 24 hour emergency facility located approximately 10 miles from our facility.
Q. Why is my pet so thirsty when he/she comes home from a visit?
A: It's natural and you should expect your pet to be a bit thirsty from all the excitement once you get them home. However, do not allow them to drink a full bowl of water as it may cause an upset stomach.
While in our care, pets are monitored carefully for their consumption of fresh water and food. Water is continuously checked and refreshed throughout the day.
Once your pet settles back into their regular routine, and get comfortable, they will establish regular eating and drinking habits.
Q. Can I come for a tour of your facility?
A: Absolutely! For the safety of everyone and to provide as little interruption to our schedule and our guests, we offer tours by appointment. Our schedule is based on the number of boarding reservations, grooming appointments, training consults and dogs in daycare for a particular day. We need to limit any interruptions that prevent us from caring for the pets staying with us.
We are unable to provide tours during the following times:
- First thing in the morning - this is a very busy time for us
- Right before we close - this is a very busy time for us
- During new employee training
- During staff meetings
- During interviews
- During large volume pet check-ins/check-outs
- Outside of our office hours
667 Walters Mill Lane, Stephenson, VA 22656 (540) 667-PETS