Get Ready For Your Dog’s Vacation!

It’s not too early to start planning your dog’s next “holiday” with Holiday Barn! Your preparation for dog boarding starts well before you walk in our lobby with leash in hand! If you anticipate sending your 4-legged friend on vacation in the upcoming months, here are some things to keep in mind.

Take a Tour of Our Dog Boarding Facility

First of all, please come by and take a tour, see the facility, meet our people, and just look at all the fun things your dog can do when vacationing at Holiday Barn! The best time for tours is between the hours of 10:00AM – 4:00PM. You can ask our Customer Experience staff (your “tour guides”) any specific questions you may have so that you will be more confident about his care in your absence. Of course, you will still miss him, but you’ll feel better knowing he is in great hands!

Try a Mini Vacation if this is their First Visit

Has your pet ever stayed at a dog kennel before? It not, you may want to consider bringing him for a few days at Camp Holiday Barn Dog Day Care, or an “overnighter” or two prior to a long trip so that he can become familiar with the sights, sounds, and smells of the resort. Each time you return to pick him up, he becomes more and more comfortable with the routine, and less likely to suffer any separation anxiety.

Make Sure Your Pet is Up to Date on their Immunizations

Make sure all immunizations are current and have your vet fax shot records to (804) 672-7147 for Glen Allen or (804) 794-1664 for Southside. Alternatively, you can email scanned shot records to our Glen Allen Reservation Specialist or our Southside Reservation specialist. Documentation is preferred 48 hours prior to check-in. We cannot keep your pet if we do not have proof of immunizations from your veterinarian. For dogs we require:

• Respiratory Bordetella
• Distemper*
• Hepatitis or Adenovirus
• Parvo
• Lepto*
• Para-Influenza
• Rabies
• Effective July 1, 2016, both h3n2 and h3n8 flu virus vaccinations

* We respect the unique medical needs of each pet and will accept modifications to vaccination requirements if documented and signed by your veterinarian as long as they are aware of your pet’s lifestyle.

Please Note: THERE IS A FIVE DAY WAITING PERIOD IF ANY OF YOUR PETS HAVE VISITED A VETERINARIAN FOR ANY REASON. PETS MUST RECEIVE VACCINATIONS AT LEAST 5 DAYS PRIOR TO ARRIVAL FOR MAXIMUM EFFECTIVENESS. Better safe for all of our guests than sorry, right?

Avoid “No Vacancy” By Contacting Us Weeks In Advance

Make sure you call ahead of time so that you can be sure we can accommodate your pet. Normally we will fill to capacity only around the holidays or busy vacation season. Some dogs may require specific accommodations, i.e., an elderly dog may be more comfortable in the suites, so we want to make sure we have the room available that is best suited for him.

Activities For Your Dog While They’re on Vacation

To enhance your dog’s vacation, we offer lots of activities for him to enjoy during his stay! It’s often hard to decide during check-in, so give it some thought before you get here. How does your dog get his exercise at home? It’s best to try and match the activity with the dog’s lifestyle while he stays with us. Follow this link to see all the fun things he can do!

What to Pack for Vacation

Now the big day is here and it’s time to check-in at Holiday Barn! How exciting! What do you need to bring?

• Vaccination Records

  Just to be sure, please bring your dog’s most recent vaccination records. Even though this information will be requested by phone when you make your reservation, it never hurts to have a copy with you when you check in to avoid any miscommunication.

• Your Pet’s Favorite Food

  We supply and are happy to feed your dog Iam’s Mini chunks or Puppy food, but to avoid upset stomach or diarrhea as can occur with a change in diet, we recommend you bring the food your dog is currently eating. Bring only the amount of food your dog will need during his stay. We ask that you divide his meals up into individual baggies, one serving per baggie, so there is no question as to how much he is to be fed at each meal. Does your dog have a favorite treat? We would be delighted to make sure he has them while on vacation!

• Toys Optional

  Although not encouraged, if you feel your dog will be more comfortable during his stay by bringing a toy from home, feel free to bring no more than 1 or 2 toys. Please label everything you bring with your pet’s name so that it does not get misplaced. We cannot accept raw-hide bones, rope bones, or any other type of chew toy which could cause a choking hazard.

• Medications

  If your dog is currently on any oral or topical medications, we will be glad to administer them. Unfortunately, we are not equipped to give injections. Please bring the medications in their original containers so we have all the information regarding the medication itself, the dosage, and prescribing veterinarian.

• Bedding for Suites and Cottages

  If your dog will be staying in the Suites, you may bring his bedding from home. If he is staying in the cottages or one of our deluxe rooms, we will provide him a cushy rubber mat or nice fleecy blanket for sleeping and cuddling so that his bedding from home stays good and clean. Our fleecy blankets are washed and disinfected daily!

• Contact and Emergency Information

  Make sure we have your most current cell numbers and phone numbers where you will be staying. Also, it’s a good idea to have a contact here at home that your pet knows and trusts. Of course, we will require your vet’s phone number as well.

• Schedule a Spa Visit

  We hope you take advantage of sending your dog to our Doggie Spa on his last day of vacation! If so, be sure to bring any special shampoos, if needed. Otherwise, we have lots of yummy smelling shampoos and treatments for your dog…so he’ll be ready for some GREAT snuggles at home!

Now it’s time to go and leave your sweetie in the hands of capable professionals. Remember, pets, just like us, usually appreciate a vacation too! It’s an exciting time for a dog… kind of like a kid going to summer camp! No tears, Mom! You don’t want your dog to pick up on any negative emotions. Just give him a pat or a kiss on the head and tell him to go have fun!

Now, YOU go RELAX and enjoy your trip!