Dogs must be healthy, free of any contagious conditions, and must be current on vaccinations including Rabies and DHLPP (Distemper/Parvo). A negative stool (fecal) check is required every 6 months for adult daycare and within 1 year for boarders. We also ask that your dog be flea free and will do an immediate flea bath, at the owner’s expense, on any dog found to have fleas.

What is a fecal and why do you require it?

A fecal is a laboratory test performed by your veterinarian on a fresh sample of your dog’s stool to look for parasites and/or their eggs. It is different from a heartworm test which is a blood test specifically to detect heartworms. Since we have community playtime in our yards, requiring fecal tests greatly reduces the incidence of parasite transmission from dog to dog. Although some preventatives given for heartworm are effective against other parasites, being on heartworm medication does not exclude you from getting a fecal done for your dog. Remember, all of our requirements are for the benefit of you dog.

Would you accept my dog if I follow a more holistic approach to caring for him, such as not vaccinating yearly or feeding a natural diet?

It is state law that dogs must be vaccinated against Rabies; therefore we cannot accept a dog without being current on this. We will, however, accept proof of antibody titers showing that your dog has sufficient immunity to protect him against distemper and parvovirus. If you feed your dog a natural diet, we are willing to feed it, providing that it is already prepared and proportioned for each feeding. We do have a refrigerator and microwave for storage/preparation.

How old must my puppy be in order to be able to come to your place?

We take puppies from 8 weeks of age and for doggie daycare they are charged the puppy rate until they reach 20 weeks of age at which time they graduate to the adult rate. Puppies up to 20 weeks of age are subject to a different set of requirements than that of our adult dogs to ensure their safety. Please see our Daycare and Boarding requirements for puppies and take note of the differences in rates.

Do you take unneutered/unspayed dogs at The Crate Escape and The Crate Escape, Too?

Yes, we do take unaltered dogs. However, we do not take females in heat or those that are pregnant. Nor do we accept dogs that are people aggressive and will not allow strangers to handle them.

How is your environment different from other dog daycare and boarding facilities?

We are very different from traditional kennels in that we DO NOT have separate cage-like runs or concrete surfaces. Inside both of our facilities we have playrooms of varying sizes with soft rubber flooring, making it safe for active play. We pride ourselves on our cleanliness and our attention to detail while caring for your dog. We are air-conditioned in the summers and heated in the winters.Our Richmond facility boasts over 6000 square feet of outdoor fenced play yards, 2 buildings for indoor play during inclement weather, a wooded walking path, and a choice of crates, rooms, or furnished luxury suites for overnight accommodation. Our South Burlington facility offers a brand new environmentally friendly design with large indoor play areas and individual dog boarding suites that are one of a kind in this area of Vermont. Playground equipment is found throughout the yards of both locations for the dogs to play on and wading pools are available for water fun and cooling off on hot summer days. We work hard to make sure your pet is safe, happy and having the best experience possible! If you have any questions regarding our services we encourage you to call or come by for a tour of our facility. Contact us.

Do you provide Pet Sitting services?

We do not board cats but we do offer visits to your home within 15 miles of our Richmond location for cats during which we will feed, water, and play with them. We also scoop litter boxes and clean up any pet accidents. Mid-day dog walks and potty breaks for puppies are also offered within 15 miles of either location. Please see our Additional Services page.

How do I know if I need The Crate Escape for daycare or boarding?

Are you too tired to walk your dog after a long day at work? Do you have a puppy or high energy dog who requires lots of exercise? Do you travel often and worry about your dog while you are away? Do you have plans for the evening, but your dog is looking at you with those, “Please don’t go eyes?” Does your dog soil your rug, eat your books or generally misbehave while you are away? If you answered yes to any or all of the previous questions, then you and your dog would benefit from our services. We’d be delighted to accommodate your canine needs.

Can you describe what my dog would do all day when he’s in your care?

At The Crate Escape and The Crate Escape, Too, we provide supervised group playtime all day, either indoors or outdoors, depending on the weather. In inclement weather, play is mostly indoors with frequent outdoor potty trips. Your dog decides if he or she wants to play with the other dogs or our staff or both. Dogs are grouped according to size, age, temperament, and play styles. Our dogs nap when they want or need to. We limit the number of dogs daily, so everyone gets lots of love, attention, and exercise!! Those dogs that are not social with other dogs receive individual attention/playtime with our staff. All overnight boarders are indoors at night, whether in crates with bedding or in a room or suite uncrated at our Richmond location and in their own individual suite at our South Burlington location. At our Richmond location, all boarders go outside for a final chance to eliminate sometime after 9PM and are awakened and back outside at 6:15AM.

What are your hours of operation?

Please note the differences from location to location and for doggie daycare and boarding.

Richmond:
Daycare: Monday — Friday 6:30am — 6:30pm; Saturday and Sunday 9:30am — 4:30pm
Boarding: Monday — Friday 7:00am — 6:30pm; Saturday and Sunday 9:00am — 5:00pm

South Burlington:
Daycare: Monday — Friday 7:00am — 6:00pm; Saturday and Sunday 9:30am — 4:00pm
Boarding: Monday — Friday 7:00am — 6:00pm; Saturday and Sunday 9:00am — 5:00pm

How do I make a reservation for my dog?

All the information we need can be taken by phone or e-mail, including the name and phone number of your dog’s veterinarian, so that we may verify vaccine history. You can also Click here to request a Reservation today or contact us today to communicate directly with our staff.

How much time should I allow for checking-in my dog for boarding?

You should allow at least 15 minutes for us to get all the information that we need from you to properly care for your dog while you are away. Please leave your dog in the car when you first arrive so that we can take care of all the paperwork first.

What is the best time for me to check-in my dog for boarding?

The best time on Monday through Friday is between 9am and 2pm. This is best for your dog as it allows them adequate time to settle in and gives them the opportunity to interact with the other dogs and our staff before bedtime. Dropping off between these hours will generally take up less of your time as you will be avoiding the rush of daycare drop-off’s and pick-up’s.

What should or can I bring for my dog when he is boarding with you?

Owners must bring their own food, as we feel that it is important for a dog to maintain a constant diet. Owners may also bring anything they feel will make their dog more comfortable, including bedding and one or two toys. We do provide healthy and fun toys and treats and plenty of bedding, if your dog is not attached to his or her own. You do not need to bring any bowls, as we have plenty of them. Your dog should also arrive wearing or bring with him/her a flat buckle collar that fits snuggly around his or her neck. Chokers, martingale collars, prongs or head collars should only be used to bring your dog in and will be removed during their stay with us. Properly fitting harnesses are ok.

Can I visit before deciding to use your facility? Can I call to check on my dog while I’m away?

Yes, we welcome anybody who’s interested in coming in to check out our place and will be happy to give you a tour. It’s best to schedule a visit in advance so you don’t have to wait during our busy times. We also welcome check-in calls by concerned owners and would be happy to update you on the progress of your pet.

My trip got shortened, can I pick-up my dog earlier than I expected?

We understand that travel plans occasionally change at the last minute. However, we schedule our incoming guest availability according to our outgoing guests and although we will allow you to pick-up your dog early, you will be charged for the days you originally reserved.

My dog is food possessive; how do you handle feeding all these dogs without separate runs?

Each dog is fed individually in a separate room in order to avoid fighting.

My dog is on medications, will you be able to accommodate his needs and is there an extra charge?

Yes, we are able to dispense the medications that your dog requires, barring those that require a veterinarian’s expertise. There is a $5.00 per day charge for us to administer medications. There is no charge for giving supplements such as glucosamine.

My dog had a bad experience boarding elsewhere, how can I be sure this won’t happen again?

Although we cannot guarantee that your dog will have a good time boarding with us, we will do everything in our power to make him or her feel as comfortable as possible. This includes spending some extra one on one time with a dog that appears anxious and stressed out. We also have a number of services that you can choose for more one-on-one attention for your dog. We have had numerous successes with dogs that either have never been boarded before or those that had an unpleasant experience at another place. We have also been successful in socializing dogs that were not used to other dogs and /or strangers.

What do you do in the event of a medical emergency?

In the event of a medical emergency we will follow standard first aid procedures in order to stabilize the dog’s condition and get them to a vet immediately. The Richmond Animal Hospital and Orchard Veterinary are two of the local vets with which we have established good working relationships. In the event of an emergency during the night, the Burlington Emergency Veterinary Service would be used. They are located in the neighboring town of Williston.

Do you offer any dog training services?

Professional dog obedience training classes and private behavioral consultations are available at both of our locations with Bill Grant of Ultimate Companions. Please see our Training Page.

What Grooming Services do you offer, if any?

Basic grooming, including baths, nail clips, ear cleaning, and brushing is provided at both locations by our trained staff. Professional Grooming is offered at our South Burlington location ONLY. If you prefer to bathe your own dog(s), then you can use our Do-It-Yourself Wash, which is available at our South Burlington location ONLY. We provide all you will need and we do the clean up! Please see Additional Services page for more detailed information.

What is the main reason(s) people bring their dog to daycare? What do the dogs get out of daycare?

The main reason people bring their dogs to daycare is to provide their dogs with something fun to do besides sitting around the house day after day waiting, sometimes for 8-12 hours, for their owners to come home from work. A dog’s mind and body need exercise, and the right daycare facility can provide that for them in a safe, fun, and professional manner. There is no better exercise for a dog than that which comes from romping around with other members of his or her species. Dogs that do well in daycare come home tired and content and this helps to alleviate many dog behaviors that we consider to be undesirable. A tired dog is a well-behaved dog. In the past, dogs were bred and acquired to do specific jobs for their owners. Our dogs today are mainly acquired for companionship and are largely considered to be part of the family. It’s this bond that we have with our dogs which makes dog daycare as popular as it is today.

What is the dog to staff ratio?

In general, the staff to dog ratio is 1 person to every 15-20 dogs. This, of course, all depends on a number of factors, such as the lay out of the facility, the training of the staff, the size of the dogs, and the activity level of each group. This ratio is decreased (such as 1 person to every 10 dogs) when the dog group is particularly rambunctious, and when there are many newcomers.

Is there always a staff person with the dogs or are they left unattended? How do you divide up playgroups (i.e. by size, play style, age, breed, etc)?

At The Crate Escape and The Crate Escape, Too, we limit the number of dogs daily and we carefully group them according to their size, age, and temperament. We take into account the variety of play styles and find that grouping dogs with similar play styles together works well. Our main active group of dogs is constantly supervised with at least one staff member, and surveillance cameras and/or frequent staff attention monitor all additional groups. The layout of our facility makes it easy for all staff to quickly get to all playgroups if needed. Staff communicate through walkie-talkies so that assistance is always quickly achieved. All staff are trained to be constantly aware of their surroundings and to have “their eyes and ears open” at all times.

What is your policy on rough play?

Mutual rough play that involves only two dogs is allowed to the extent that neither of the participants is being hurt in any way and when the positions are continually being alternated. This type of play becomes problematic when a third dog (or more) becomes aroused and attempts to get involved. Staff is trained to distract additional participants or to remove the rough players to an area where they can play together without the presence of other dogs. This is especially important during the mid-day time when most dogs tend to nap except for the high-energy dogs.

Are there types of interactions you don’t allow and if so, how do you stop them?

Bullying, uncontrolled running, constant humping, and crowding are all not allowed. The acceptable methods used at The Crate Escape and The Crate Escape, Too, to control bad behavior consists of redirecting, splitting, calm, assertive voice commands, spray bottle with water directed in the dog’s face (avoiding the eyes), and time-outs or regrouping when needed.

Do the dogs have nap time and if so, how does this happen (i.e. are they crated)?

Our dogs nap when they want or need to. We do not crate dogs for nap time, unless the owner requests that this happen. Typically, the dogs self regulate their activity. They are active in the early morning upon arrival, activity levels wane by late morning and early afternoon, and they get their second wind later in the afternoon. Most dogs cue well into this routine and those who resist napping are moved to another area so that those who want to can rest.

Do you allow people to tour the whole facility or are there areas people are not allowed into?

The Crate Escape and The Crate Escape, Too, welcome and encourage all potential clients to tour our facility. People are allowed to see all areas, but for liability reasons are not allowed to go in with the dogs. We strongly feel that all persons considering dog daycare and overnight boarding should eliminate any facility that does not allow them to view the entire establishment. Contact us today to schedule a tour.

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