Pet Boarding and Daycare Nov/Dec 2014

NOV/DEC 2014

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VOL 4 • ED 6

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FROM THE EDITOR

STAFF

Preparing for the Cold Being in the animal care business, for most of you, winter is probably not your favorite season. Outside playtimes become limited or done away with all together, outdoor water Rebecca Shipman sources freeze, your hands become chapped Managing Editor and dry from washing and cleaning. Although, some of you may live in the warmer climates, in which case may mean a much desired break from the heat for you and furry guests.

Every season brings its own threat of natural disaster. To make sure you’re prepared, you’ll want to read OPCU’s “Disaster Preparedness” article in this issue.

As always, we have some great business articles. Find out how you can get “Canine Cough Insurance,” learn “The Powerful Combination to Increase your Profits” and everything you need to know about the legalities of “Hiring Your First Employee.”

Also check out the “Dogs on Deployment” article, a great organization that places deployed soldiers’ pets in temporary homes while they are away serving our country. And get some great cleaning tips from sanitation expert, Chris Quinlan in “Sanitation Simplified.”

Cat boarding is gaining popularity and cats are very likely to get stressed in a boarding situation, so you won’t want to overlook Ingrid King’s “Reducing Stress for Cats in a Boarding Facility.”

Winter also means the holiday rush. Those lucky pets who don’t get dragged along to the family get-togethers are turned over to you for a relaxing vacation of their own. If you offer grooming or other add-on services, your appointment books are probably filled.

But when the day is done and all of the animals are warm and snuggled in their beds, you can relax, grab the latest issue of Pet Boarding & Daycare and get inspired to take on what challenges the next chilly day has to offer!

PUBLISHER Barkleigh Productions, Inc. PRESIDENT Todd Shelly EXECUTIVE EDITOR Gwen Shelly MANAGING EDITOR Rebecca Shipman ART DIRECTOR Lucas Colton GRAPHIC DESIGNER Laura Pennington WEB DESIGNERS Lance Williams Luke Dumberth CHIEF OPERATIONS OFFICER Adam Lohr DIRECTOR OF SALES AND MARKETING James Severs MARKETING COORDINATOR Lucy March CONTACT General: (717) 691-3388 info@barkleigh.com Editorial: rebecca@barkleigh.com (ext. 225) Advertising: james@barkleigh.com (ext. 224)

Copyright October 2014. Pet Boarding & Daycare is published bimonthly by Barkleigh Productions, Inc, 970 West Trindle Road, Mechanicsburg PA 17055.

Postmaster: Send change of address to Pet Boarding & Daycare c/o Barkleigh Productions, Inc., 970 West Trindle Road, Mechanicsburg PA 17055. No part of this publication may be reproduced without written permission of the publisher.

Editorial offices: 970 West Trindle Road, Mechanicsburg PA 17055. (717) 691–3388 FAX (717) 691–3381 Email: info@barkleigh.com

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CONTENTS on - caution - c do not cross -

Profile of Success: Rivermist Pet Lodge

18

Reducing Stress for Cats

38

26

BUSINESS 8

Emergency Preparedness

ANIMAL HEALTH

So You’re Thinking About Hiring Your First Employee

44 Vaccination Policies

14 Your Powerful Combination to Increased Profits 22 Canine Cough: Nothing to Sneeze At

FACILITY DESIGN 36 Sanitation Simplified

INDUSTRY NEWS 48 Dogs on Deployment Needs YOU! 54 Product News 55 Classified Ads

ANIMAL BEHAVIOR 32 Day-Care that Goes Beyond Play-Care

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PET BOARDING & DAYCARE

PET BOARDING & DAYCARE

7

BUSINESS

SO YOU’RE THINKING ABOUT

Hiring Your first employee

By Marie Poliseno

Y

our business is doing well. You have more work than you can handle and it’s time to think about the next step. Do I hire an employee or an Independent Contractor? What’s the cost of bringing someone on? What’s involved in setting up a payroll? Where do I start?

These are some of the questions our dog professional clients pose, especially pet sitters and walkers. Hiring an independent contractor seems easier and less costly, but it isn’t necessarily the right way to go. The IRS has strong opinions about how you classify your new worker because of the impact on taxes paid, so you need to make sure your decision will make the tax man happy.

What’s the Difference Between an Independent Contractor and an Employee?

An employee is defined as someone whose i) behavior is under the control of the employer, meaning they are told when, where, and how to work; (ii) whose financial relationship with the company is controlled by the employer; and (iii) whose services represent a key activity of 8

The IRS has strong opinions about how you classify your new worker because of the impact on taxes paid, so you need to make sure your decision will make the tax man happy. the business.

Can these same factors apply to an Independent Contractor? The answer is yes, but it depends on the degree to which these things apply and the facts and circumstances of each situation. It’s tricky because there are no black and white rules. Looking at the overall relationship between the two parties is essential to getting it right. Getting it wrong can be very costly to the business owner, so it’s best to talk to a tax professional before taking someone on as an IC.

How Much Will It Cost?

This is often the $64,000 question.

Not literally of course, but the numbers can be scary. There are several taxes and costs associated with hiring an employee.

Although the federal taxes will be the PET BOARDING & DAYCARE

same regardless of the state you live in, state taxes and workman’s compensation insurance differ. In general though, in addition to the hourly rate you pay the employee, you are also responsible for the following taxes and costs: Federal Social Security Tax: • 6.2% of gross wages Federal Medicare Tax: • 1.45% of gross wages Federal Unemployment Tax: • 6% of gross wages up to $7,000 State Unemployment Tax: • varies by state. e.g. new employers in CA pay 3.4% of wages up to $7,000 Workman’s Comp Insurance: • varies by carrier.

Payroll Processing Fees: • varies by provider

PET BOARDING & DAYCARE

9

Working with your CPA or tax professional can help you identify the true cost of hiring an employee.

So let’s take a look at an example.

Assume you are a new employer in California and want to pay your employee a wage of $15/hr. Your hourly cost for this employee will be as follows: $15 • Plus $1.16/hr. for Federal Taxes (Social Security, Medicare and Federal Unemployment) • Plus $0.51/hr. for State Unemployment • Plus the annual premium for Workman’s Compensation divided by 2080 (the standard number of hours a full time employee, working 40 hours a week, will work in a year) • Plus any annualized payroll processing costs, again divided by 2080.

Before you decide never to hire anyone, there is some good news, too.

These costs come with tax benefits in the form of deductions for wages paid, payroll taxes, and other related costs. Working with your CPA or tax professional can help you identify the true cost of hiring an employee.

What’s Involved in Setting Up a Payroll?

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There are several administrative requirements you must adhere to when setting up a payroll.

• You are required to have an Employee Identification Number. While most LLCs and other forms of entities already have one, sole proprietors must apply for one when they intend to hire their first employee. You can complete an SS-4 form online at www.irs.gov.

• You must apply for electronic submission of all Federal taxes. This can be done electronically.

• You must apply for a state identification number and electronic submission of state withholding and disability from your employee, as well as the state unemployment tax you are responsible for. This generally requires a dialogue with your state employment division and can often be done electronically once the requirements are determined.

• You must obtain worker’s compensation insurance and determine how the premium must be remitted as well as reported to the state. Contacting

your state Department of Labor is often helpful in this regard as many states offer Worker’s Comp insurance in addition to private carriers.

• Obtain certain documents from your employee. Proof of citizenship and Form W-4 are required, but many states, including California, require reporting on new employees. And other forms may also be required.

• Determine the correct amount of Federal and State withholding for your employee based upon their completed W-4 Form.

What Do I Have to Do Once My Employee is On Board?

Luckily the up-front work in the previous section only has to be done once. But that doesn’t mean you’re done. There are federal and state payment and reporting requirements to stay current with. This is where most people make mistakes and where getting outside assistance is helpful to set up a regular payment and reporting schedule to keep you on top of everything.

Payment requirements: Each reporting period all payroll taxes, both Federal and State, must be remitted electronically.

Federal reporting requirements: • Form 941 quarterly • Form 940 annually • Form W-2 for each employee • Form W-3 for tax reconciliation State reporting requirements: • Unemployment reporting monthly or quarterly • Disability reporting monthly or quarterly • Workman’s Comp reporting monthly or quarterly

to start hiring employees. Payroll processing companies, CPAs, or your tax preparer are also valuable resources, not only in helping you determine what you need, but can also help prepare or administer your payroll for you.

Hiring your first employee can be a daunting and overwhelming experience both from a cost and administrative perspective, but its well worth it when your business is ready to grow. Knowing the costs and requirements at the outset are powerful factors in making good decisions and can help you manage both your time and costs more effectively. n

Where Do I Start?

Marie Poliseno is the Managing Partner of Dollars & Scents Accounting Services.

She is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) as well as a professional dog trainer (CPDTKA) and honors graduate of the SFSPCA Academy for Dog Trainers (CC). To work with Marie on your financial and tax matters, e-mail marie@dog-pro-cpa.com or visit www.dog-pro-cpa.com to learn more about her services.

Contacting your state employment division and department of labor is often the first place to start. That’s where you’ll get all the necessary information about your state’s specific requirements. Next, the IRS website, www.irs.gov, contains helpful information about the Federal requirements, as well as forms necessary

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your powerful

combination

to increased

profits

By Susan Briggs

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H

ave you ever wished there was a money tree growing on your business property? Unfortunately, the seeds to a money tree have not been discovered, but you do have access to a powerful combination that will lead you to increased business profits.

Are you willing to spend two hours a month at your favorite coffee shop in a business strategy session? If yes, then keep reading for the details you’ll need to turn this meeting into more money for your business.

Marketing System & Goals Your marketing plan is the first component needed when you sit down with your favorite hot beverage. Yes, it is important to have a plan for marketing your business services. Otherwise you are relying on “hope” marketing, which is much like visiting a casino… you may hit a jackpot or you could lose everything.

Today’s digital focus means effective marketing is relatively low-cost, but does require time and planning. Your primary focus should be on building a large email list of both customers and prospects. It is important to segment your list between those that have done business with you and prospects that know about your business.

Another important focus is building a strong social media presence with Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest or wherever your customers and prospects spend their time. Social media provides instant access to market your services strategically so it is definitely worth the time invested.

Focus the majority of your social media posts on providing quality information that your market can use to improve life with their pets, pet-related entertainment and highlighting the fun and great care you provide daily for pets.

This sets the stage for strategic service marketing posts that we’ll get to later in the article.

Financial Reports The reality of being a business owner is that financial reports are key to maximizing your profits. For this strategy session we are going to limit you to one key report and three key performance measures. Have your bookkeeper provide this information to you for the session and keep reading to learn how to quickly review your reports.

The most important report is your monthly Profit & Loss statement, but

just reviewing numbers from last month is looking at history. Our powerful combination is focused on improving future results so have your bookkeeper provide a Profit & Loss statement that compares actual results to your budget.

If you don’t have a budget (put that on your “to do list”) then get a report that compares last month’s results to the same month of the prior year. Another very important aspect is to have your income split between the key services you

Are you willing to spend two hours a month at your favorite coffee shop in a business strategy session? If yes, then keep reading for the details you’ll need to turn this meeting into more money for your business.

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provide in the Profit and Loss report.

The key performance measures you should review for your business monthly include: • Occupancy for each key service (boarding, daycare, grooming) • Pet visits for each key service • Revenue per pet (total revenue by service divided by visits) Bring these reports to your monthly business strategy session. Ideally your strategy meeting will be held the first two weeks of the month so ensure your bookkeeper has a deadline to finish all bookkeeping tasks promptly after monthend.

Your Powerful Combination Now it’s time to head to your favorite coffee shop for a beverage. It is important to have this meeting away from your business and to turn off your phone. As a business owner, these two uninterrupted hours are time you need to maximize business profits and your own pay. It’s also a great exercise for your staff to learn to make small decisions without you, so just do it!

Prioritize this time away when you can work “on” versus “in” your business. Most importantly, reward yourself with your favorite hot beverage treat and it may not even seem like work.

Start by reviewing your Profit & Loss statement, noting which service areas of income performed better than budget or last year. If you know why, make a note on the report. Next, review income areas that fell below budget or last year. Again make a note as to the reason. If you are not sure of the reason, then put it on your “to do” list to figure out. Ask your accountant to help you if you are not sure how to start the analysis.

Next look at your revenue per pet data for each service area. How closely do they match up to your full price rate charged for the service? If there is a big difference, making an analysis of your discount programs should be put on your “to do list”. Also ask your accountant to help you calculate your profitability for

that service area.

Now look at your occupancy numbers for each service. Where do you have capacity to increase sales? Do you expect the current occupancy numbers to repeat next month or even over the next three months? If yes, then this is the service you want to target in your short-term marketing plan if it also fell short of budget.

Focus on this service in the current month’s email communications and social media posts. Be sure your clients are aware that you offer the service and consider offering an incentive for clients and prospects to try it. You may want to create separate offers for existing clients versus prospects and with a segmented list it’s easy to customize for each.

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One great aspect of social media is you can offer the incentive as a fun contest and control the amount of free or discounted services you give away. It may even make financial sense to offer shortterm discounts to many clients, but be sure you know that the service will still be profitable to you.

Next month when you have your strategy session, first assess if your targeted marketing campaign was successful; did your income and occupancy for the service increase? Did business profits also increase? If yes, then celebrate your success. Then repeat your review process and consider selecting a different service area for focus next or try a different incentive offer for the same service.

By using the powerful combination of actual financial results with your marketing system you will increase your business profits. Prioritize this time away when you can work “on” versus “in” your business. Most importantly, reward yourself with your favorite hot beverage treat and it may not even seem like work.

You will definitely enjoy the results of increased profits! n Susan Briggs provides business management and training resources for the pet industry. Check out her FREE reports and other management tools at: www.

CrystalCanine.com. As “The Dog Gurus,” Susan and Robin Bennett’s mission is to improve safety in the off-leash dog play industry through our membership site at www.SafeOffLeashDogPlay.com. Susan’s career in the pet industry began as co-founder of Urban Tails, a large multiservice pet care center in Houston, Texas. One of the first cage-free sleepover and dog daycare centers in the country, Urban Tails evolved into a training resource for pet professionals on safe daycare operations. Staff training is a passion for Susan resulting in development of Crystal Canine, a consulting and training resource for the pet industry (www.crystalcanine. com). In 2008 her first book Off-Leash Dog Play: A Complete Guide to Safety & Fun, coauthored with Robin Bennett was published.

She is also author of Counting Noses, the only accounting and financial guide customized for the pet industry.

Next month when you have your strategy session, first assess if your targeted marketing campaign was successful; did your income and occupancy for the service increase?

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Emergency Preparedness DON’T GET CAUGHT UN-PREPARED

By Outstanding Pet Care University

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here was Katrina, the wild fires in California, the flooding and tornados across the United States and Hurricane Sandy – all major events that we heard about on the news. The aftermath of these disasters followed for weeks, months and, in some cases, years.

Many pet care businesses have not taken the time to map out a plan if their area is affected by a natural disaster.

How do we keep all the pets safe and assure they are well cared for? The big disasters are obvious to the world, but what about the emergencies that can affect our individual businesses, like a fire, an explosion or a hazardous material spill?

Emergency preparedness can save the lives of the pets in your care and allow you to help others who have not prepared for such an event. Prevention measures can also protect valuable business information allowing your business to be up and running quickly, reduce losses of equipment, revenue and inventory, and potentially save the

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Advanced planning will provide your employees and clients with a sense of security and loyalty to your business. They will know the care and protection of their pets always comes first. facility itself.

Advanced planning will provide your employees and clients with a sense of security and loyalty to your business.

They will know the care and protection of their pets always comes first.

earthquakes, power outages, burglary, riots, mudslides, avalanches, lightning strikes, volcanic eruptions, oil, fuel, chemical or sewage spills, wildfires, excessive snow/snow loads, and nuclear hazards.

Defining a Facility Emergency

Speak to Your Insurance Agent

A facility emergency is any unplanned event that can cause significant injury or potential death to pets, employees, customers or the public. It can also disrupt operations, shut down your business or cause physical and/or environmental damage.

A few examples of common emergencies and disasters that can affect your business are fires, floods, gas leaks, hurricanes, tornados,

Your insurance agent may have recommendations for fire prevention or other protection measures. If you are in an area prone to floods, you will want to understand and consider flood insurance. Don’t wait until an emergency occurs to know whether you are properly insured. Call or meet with your agent and evaluate your policies to ensure you are adequately covered.

Agents may also be able to provide

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For employees, you should have an emergency operating center where they report in case of any problem, shelter areas, first aid stations and sanitation facilities. suggestions on how to better protect your business and lower insurance premiums.

systems, files and essential equipment.

And consider back-up equipment – for example: water pumps and a generator for power and back-up lighting.

Internal Resources, Equipment and Systems

Help from the Outside

Fire protection, communications equipment, first-aid supplies, warning devices and emergency generators are necessary components for all pet care businesses. For employees, you should have an emergency operating center where they report in case of any problem, shelter areas, first aid stations and sanitation facilities. You should also have a supply of food, water, blankets, flashlights and other emergency supplies in the event staff have to stay over.

Institute a backup plan for computer

In the event of an emergency, other services or business assistance might be needed from external resources. Taking the time to obtain their phone numbers and reach out in advance will allow them to prepare if/when they’re needed. The local emergency management office, fire department, hazardous materials response team, EMS, hospitals, local veterinarians, local and state police, community service organizations, contractors and suppliers of emergency equipment should all be included in

your emergency call list. You also need to know if your community has plans in place in the event of an emergency and if there are established evacuation routes if you must leave the area.

Staff Training Proper staff training is a very important part of being prepared for an emergency. Staff needs to be taught how to report an emergency to the authorities, the use and function of alarm systems, and how to identify the shutoffs for gas, electric and water. Conduct staff drills for different emergency situations.

Identify a meeting place and institute a check-in procedure so everyone’s safety can be confirmed. Establish a procedure to warn pet parents and employees who are not on the premises in the case of an emergency.

Review Building, Facilities and Grounds It’s also important to know your building and grounds. Make sure your facility meets all safety and construction

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In extreme situations, it may be necessary to shut down the operation for everyone’s safety and/or evacuate the facility. If this is warranted, you will want a developed plan and guideline.

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codes. Building and site maps will come into play as local resources respond to your emergency. A few important specifics to document, so they can easily be found or located, are the location of utilities and shutoffs, floor plans, fire extinguisher locations, exits, stairways and hazardous materials.

Do you have proper monitoring systems (fire, sprinkler, water systems) and are they tested regularly? Are there building modifications that can protect your facility such as water proofing, or engineered enhancements in the event of an earthquake? Can the building withstand high force winds? You should identify and label outside containers of gasoline, oil or propane tanks. And also identify an emergency shelter (if possible) within the building for tornados.

Emergency Response Elements It will be important to warn, update or notify employees and customers during an emergency. You will have to develop your own system for

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communication.

Here are a few implementation ideas: make an announcement to all those in the building, call staff who are not on premises at the time, put announcements or updates on voice mail systems, social media and your website. If pets are being evacuated, call clients at emergency numbers to notify them where their pet will be. They may be able to make arrangements to pick up their pets.

Evacuation Procedures & Operation Shut Down In extreme situations, it may be necessary to shut down the operation for everyone’s safety and/or evacuate the facility. If this is warranted, you will want a developed plan and guideline.

• Determine a predetermined staff meeting location so everyone can be accounted for.

• Call 911 or other emergency numbers if alarm system has not automatically notified them (in event of fire or another event that is unique to your facility).

Protecting Vital Records Protecting vital records and information is of the utmost importance to ensure the viability of the business after an emergency occurs. A copy of your records should be stored somewhere off site so that you will have access to pet information and pet parent contact/emergency contact information in the case of an emergency on site.

Restoring Operations and Assessing the Damage Restoring operations needs to happen quickly, as long as the area and the facility are safe for operations to resume. You need have a list of all items that may require restoration. This list should include utilities, computers and alarms.

If there is any damage, make a written assessment, take pictures or video, and contact your insurance company. The water should also be tested before use as it could be contaminated. Only move evacuated pets back once the building is deemed safe. And if possible, reach out to see

The best pet care providers are proactive, planning for worst case scenarios. It’s not always what happens to us that matters as much as how we respond to the challenge put in front of us. if you can aid other shelters, vets or groups that may not be as prepared as you were.

Implementation Just writing out a plan does not mean it will be implemented. Once you have a plan, it’s time to communicate it to your staff. It is important that you go over the details with everyone that might be involved. You don’t want to write a plan and put it in a drawer. It must be reviewed periodically, updated and new staff made aware.

Writing out and having lists and procedures are excellent steps that allow you to be proactive. These procedures and lists may change as your business evolves, so they should be checked and updated on at least an annual basis.

There are so many important considerations and different scenarios when it comes to possible emergencies.

The uniqueness of each physical pet care facility, the staff and the geographic area will all play into developing a detailed plan. The best pet care providers are proactive, planning for worst case scenarios. It’s not always what happens to us that matters as much as how we respond to the challenge put in front of us. Pet parents depend on us to provide quality care for their extended family. Being prepared is just one more way we can earn their trust. n Outstanding Pet Care University, www.opcuniversity.com, is dedicated to protecting and growing the Pet Care Industry through World-Class Pet Care Training and Education. OPCU’s curriculum: Delivers necessary pet care training in the convenience of your facility. Saves training, time and energy of owners and PET BOARDING & DAYCARE

managers. Provides convenient, technicallyadvanced format for immediate access.

Offers immediate on-line testing to give you assurance that the material was understood.

Reduces potential injuries to your staff and guests. Can increase health and happiness of the pets in your care. Protects you, your staff, and your bottom line.

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• Have a source to listen to weather alerts and updates.

• Remove pets (if necessary) as safety conditions allow.

• Assure computer files are backed up off premises or remove the backup.

• Shut off gas lines, if appropriate.

• Turn off electric and water supplies, if appropriate.

• Have ready access to emergency supplies and first aid kits.

• Close all doors and windows.

• If pets can’t be moved off premises, move them to a safe area of the facility.

• Move vehicles to a safe location and make sure they are filled with fuel.

If there are extensive power outages, gas may not be available.

Some emergencies may require evacuation, so specific details should be outlined. You will need to determine ahead of time how pets will be removed if necessary, where they will be taken, who will be in charge or be responsible, and once moved, how they will be cared for.

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Canine cough protect your losses

By Kathy Holser

C

anine Cough. Just hearing those two dreaded words can strike fear in the heart of anyone who owns or runs a pet care facility.

An outbreak of canine cough can be absolutely devastating to a business.

It spreads like wildfire and so does the negative publicity about your establishment. If you have ever had to deal with canine cough, you know what a nightmare it is.

The dictionary defines canine cough as this: a highly contagious, acute respiratory disease of dogs, commonly consisting of laryngitis, tracheitis, and bronchitis. Canine parainfluenza virus, canine adenoviruses types 1 and 2, canine herpesvirus and Bordetella bronchiseptica are the most common infectious agents. It is also called canine infectious tracheobronchitis or rhinotracheitis.

No matter what the scientific names are, we in the pet care industry will most likely continue to refer to it as kennel cough or canine cough.

Infectious diseases are always a concern

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Infectious diseases are always a concern for people in the pet industry. Even when you require that your clients have their pets immunized, it’s not a guarantee that you will be protected. for people in the pet industry. Even when you require that your clients have their pets immunized, it’s not a guarantee that you will be protected.

It only takes one sick pet to cause you untold problems.

If canine cough infiltrates your facility, most likely you will have to temporarily close your operations.

That translates into untold hours of cleaning and disinfecting everything, no money coming in, very unhappy clients with sick pets, and possible permanent damage to your good reputation. Some businesses never recover from all the overwhelming problems that come with canine cough. The business dies and with it goes all the dreams of its owner.

In the past, if your facility was

PET BOARDING & DAYCARE

dealing with canine cough, you were pretty much on your own. Well, you’re not alone anymore. Governor Insurance has been deeply involved in providing coverage for individuals and businesses in the pet care industry since the 1980’s.

In 1985, Bob Thompson, the owner of Governor Insurance, was contacted

by Jeff Reynolds of the National Dog Groomers Association of America (NDGAA), who asked Bob to provide groomers with professional liability insurance and animal coverage. Mr. Thompson researched their specialized needs, and then designed and developed coverage packages specifically for the professional groomer.

In the 1990’s Mr. Thompson was approached by mobile groomers seeking

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coverage for their vans and conversions.

He understood that mobile units were critical to their daily business and if their unit was damaged or destroyed, they would be unable to work. He designed comprehensive coverage for the mobile groomer, which included protection for their vans and loss of income coverage.

Next he was able to procure insurance packages for doggie daycare operations which have their own unique set of needs. And now, Governor Insurance has introduced a new coverage that will protect you against the losses sustained to your business, due to canine cough.

Bob Thompson researched all the issues associated with a canine cough outbreak and its aftermath, and designed this specialized coverage. It is now available to kennels, daycares, groomers, pet stores, and any pet related business.

“Governor Insurance is the only agency in the nation that offers this unique coverage,” says Mr. Thompson.

“Here are some of the things that it

protects it’s policyholders against: 1. The loss in business income sustained from the suspension of your operation.

2. The costs of veterinarian expenses to treat animals.

3. It reimburses the expenses to clean and disinfect your facilities.

4. It pays the costs to restore your operations and reputation due to canine cough related instances.”

This protection takes care of many of the problems and losses that a business can experience from a canine cough outbreak. It has been needed and requested by pet care professionals for a long time.

“Governor Insurance is committed to the pet care industry,” says Bob Thompson. “We have always listened to their needs. We’ve been helping them protect themselves and their businesses for over twenty-six years.”

There have been many changes in the pet care industry since the 1980’s when Bob Thompson wrote those first business liability policies for

professional groomers. And, as the needs of groomers grew, Governor Insurance grew along with them and developed more types of coverages to protect them.

This Loss Against Canine Cough insurance is just one more way that Governor Insurance provides protection to members of the pet care industry.

With this coverage, pet care facilities will no longer have to fear those two dreaded words – canine cough. n

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Choosing Your D.R.E.A.M. Floor Learn the 5 key attributes that are most important for boarding/daycare facilities!

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One of the biggest decisions an animal care facility owner has to face is this: what is the best and proper flooring for my style of business?

This is true whether you are renovating an existing building, remodeling your existing facility, or building new. With endless options available, choosing the right floor is a confusing and important decision. The effect of an improper flooring choice or poor installation can cause delays in opening and/or warranty issues that cost you both time and money.

This presentation will begin by focusing on the five key floor attributes that are most important for boarding/daycare facilities, the most popular floor choices available today, and the newer alternatives.

For each of the flooring options, both pros and cons of each will be reviewed. Next you will learn about what the proper flooring substrate is and tips on making certain your flooring contractors do a professional job, including current concrete testing methods and what the results mean. Lastly we will discuss how to make your D.R.E.A.M. Floor become a reality.

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PROFILE OF SUCCESS

Rivermist Pet Lodge

Modern Boarding with a tradition of

excellence

By Kathy Hosler

Photographs by Rivermist Pet Lodge

26

PET BOARDING & DAYCARE

N

estled in the picturesque countryside of Brinklow, Maryland is a unique pet care facility that has been providing premium pet care since 1969. Now, under new ownership and approaching their 50th anniversary, the Rivermist Pet Lodge is undergoing an extensive upgrade and makeover. The Rivermist Pet Lodge, formerly Rivermist Kennels, was built by Barry Goodman in 1969.

The lodge is situated on 29 beautiful acres, adjacent to a historic house that was built in 1820. Although rural, the location is near major metropolitan areas; positioned between Baltimore and Washington DC. This makes the Lodge’s popular home pickup and delivery service very appealing and convenient to all of its clients.

In the beginning, Rivermist Kennels offered overnight boarding only, but grooming services were added and steadily grew with the business.

Rivermist has added training as well.

The original facility included one kennel building with ten large indoor/

In the beginning, Rivermist Kennels offered overnight boarding only, but grooming services were added and steadily grew with the business.

Rivermist has added training as well. outdoor runs. In the early 1970’s and again in the early 1980’s capacity was expanded and a new grooming and bathing wing was added. In the almost fifty years since Rivermist has been in business, trends in the pet care industry have changed dramatically.

“More than ever, people consider their pets to be part of the family and they want them to be happy and entertained when they are in a boarding situation. I also regard my pets as part of my family, and I treat them as such,” says Rivermist owner, Scott Simon. “I saw the demand for high quality pet boarding, and a desire for more luxurious accommodations and activities for pets. Our improvements to Rivermist ensure we have the facilities

PET BOARDING & DAYCARE

and staff to provide the best quality care possible.”

Scott and Melissa Simon recently became the owners of Rivermist. With them, they brought their business experience, love for pets, and many innovative ideas for improving this already successful business.

“We took over the business in December of 2013 and, shortly after, changed the name to Rivermist Pet Lodge. For the last eight months we have been investing in facility repairs and upgrades, and have added twentyfour indoor suites to offer our clients another boarding option,” says Scott.

Today, Rivermist can accommodate up to two hundred dogs and about thirty cats.

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Along with the facilities, the services at Rivermist Pet Lodge have expanded too. Owners can select a number of amenities and services for their pets.

Scott adds, “We are now building a second outdoor 2,300 sq. ft. artificial turf play yard, primarily for dog playtimes, training, and daycare. The play yard is a big undertaking which includes re-grading, building retaining walls and installing drainage. It is worth the effort. The result will be a safe, clean environment for dogs to exercise and play and will be an integral part of Rivermist for years to come.”

Along with the facilities, the services at Rivermist Pet Lodge have expanded too. Owners can select a number of amenities and services for their pets.

They can choose from upgraded bedding, extended checkout times, bedtime treats, and more. There are also 28

multiple activity options like nature walks and one-on-one playtimes which are available to guests of all activity levels from the energetic puppies to the sedate golden agers. They even have activities for cats! These can all be selected à la carte, but Rivermist has bundled some of the most popular services into specialized activity packages. Bundling these services is a convenience and added value for the clients, and a source of increased revenue for the Lodge.

Shortly after taking over the business, all customer policies, communications and pricing were reviewed. There were many aspects of the business that needed to be PET BOARDING & DAYCARE

adjusted to reflect the new offerings and name. They have updated the vet care warranty, the boarding contracts, and customer communications.

“Our veterinary warranty is $1.50 per day and is mandatory for all boarding guests,” shares Scott. “If a pet requires a vet visit during or after their stay with us due to something that developed while at our facility, we will cover up to $250 of the cost. If we suspect an animal needs care, we don’t hesitate to act – we do not have to worry about whether or not the owner would be willing to pay for the care.”

“Another thing that our clients love is that the manager is onsite 24/7,” shares Scott. “The historic home of Walnut Hill sits on the property near to the Pet Lodge. Our manager, David Berkebile lives in the beautiful house with his wife Jeni, and their Fox Hound, Luna.”

David’s background in systems operations and quality control coupled with his love of animals is a great fit for ensuring consistent high quality care.

“My nightly routine is to walk Luna on the property and end the night by visiting the Lodge to make sure all the guests are settled and happy,” David explains.

A pet care facility cannot thrive and grow unless it has a dedicated and welltrained staff. Many of the members of their pet care team have been at Rivermist for five years or more.

“People love our outgoing and friendly staff who know most of the dogs and owners by name,” says David.

“In addition to providing a variety of activities that keep pets happy and reduce stress, our staff closely monitors how each pet is doing during their stay and adjusts their care to best suit each pet’s needs.”

As part of their facility-wide renovations, Rivermist has completely upgraded its telephone and computer systems and vastly improved its website, www.rivermistpetlodge.com. The new IP phone system allows them to handle customer calls more efficiently by differentiating between a new or an established customer, then routing the

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“We board birds, guinea pigs, hamsters, sugar gliders and the like. It is a big convenience for our customers who also board their dogs or cats with us.”

-David Berkebile, Rivermist Pet Lodge General Manager calls to the correct person.

“Our website is most important for marketing to new clients and providing information about our policies and services,” says David. “For customers who have not visited us, our website is their only visualization of who we are.

Having lots of pictures is important.

We take many online reservation requests, but every online reservation is followed up with a phone call to gather all the details, explain our policies, and customize each pet’s visit.”

Although most of the guests that stay at Rivermist Pet Lodge are dogs and cats, they will accommodate other family pets as well. “We board birds, guinea pigs, hamsters, sugar gliders and the like,” shares David. “It is a big convenience for our customers who also

board their dogs or cats with us.” Then David adds with a big grin, “Sometimes they are really entertaining…we have had customer’s parrots ‘bark’ at the dogs and have had them also try to answer the phone!”

Rivermist also supports local animal rescue and adoption efforts. “We work with Mid Atlantic Chinese Sharpei Rescue. The group comes to our facility to work with the dogs and to find homes for them,” says David. “In addition, we have provided space for the Animal Rescue Corp (ARC) when needed. ARC does large-scale rescues, and occasionally needs to temporarily board a large number of dogs.” Then David adds, “We always require proof of vaccinations prior to any rescue animal boarding with us.”

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PET BOARDING & DAYCARE

“One of the ways we were able to accomplish all that we have in these last few months is that we hired Morris Pet Care Consulting to help guide and prioritize our mission,” says Scott.

“Once our initial phase of improvement projects is complete, we are going to continue to upgrade and add to our facility. A few of our next projects will be to add an outdoor water feature for the canine guests, a permanent emergency backup generator, and the addition of luxury cat suites.”

From its humble ten run beginning in 1969, Rivermist Pet Lodge has evolved into a resort that can luxuriously accommodate more than 230 pets daily. n

Owners can select a number of amenities and services for their pets. They can choose from upgraded bedding, extended checkout times, bedtime treats, and more.

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31

ANIMAL BEHAVIOR

day-care

that goes beyond

play-care

By Gary Wilkes

32

PET BOARDING & DAYCARE

W

ith the rapid growth of play groups and doggie day care, many dogs are leading better, happier lives. One of the spin-offs of these services goes beyond just simple socialization and exercise.

Sometimes behavior problems can be solved – if the service providers know what to look for and how to arrange the service.

One of the pioneers of day-care is Gail Fisher of the All Dogs Gym in Manchester, New Hampshire. Since the mid-90’s Gail has had groups as big as 50 dogs at a time harmoniously having a blast. The employees at the “All Dogs Gym” watch over the mob and make sure that no one gets hurt. What Gail discovered was a world of interaction that largely goes unnoticed.

One fact of providing daycare is that singleton pups and those removed at a very early age may later have trouble getting along with other dogs. Putting a poorly socialized dog in a group setting can teach him proper social skills – or end traumatically for the pup and a loss of a client for you. These dogs need special care to get them into the general group and devoting employee time for helping a single dog may not always be available. At the All Dogs Gym, social therapy is a daily occurrence and done with the same care and precision that they use when teaching obedience and agility classes. They have the same employee restraints as anyone else, but they have a group of auxiliary trainers uniquely suited to helping newbies over the hump – and they work cheap.

This auxiliary staff came to Gail accidentally, a long time ago.

Once, Fisher introduced a nine week old puppy, named Sharley, to the daily play-mob. Sharley had been taken from the litter too early - at about four weeks of age. In the ensuing five weeks, she had not seen another dog, and was terrified by the sight of her own species.

Many dogs and puppies are intimidated by their first experience in the play

Putting a poorly socialized dog in a group setting can teach him proper social skills – or end traumatically for the pup and a loss of a client for you. area, and Sharley was no exception.

She spent two short sessions in the yard, with no real improvement in her behavior. She was still terrified by the mass of milling, playing dogs.

On her third exposure to the other dogs, Sharley seemed to be worse. She tried to escape by pressing against the fence and screaming. This immediately drew the attention of a large group of dogs, who rushed over to see what was happening. As the dogs pressed closer, Sharley became even more frightened.

She continued screaming frantically, and that’s when something odd happened.

One of the dogs in the pen was a nine month old, deaf, Dalmatian named Nicky. He had been coming to doggie day care since he was a puppy and was very comfortable with the crowd. Nicky probably wasn’t aware that Sharley was screaming, but he saw her little body pressed against the fence and sensed that she was terrified. Nicky squeezed in between the pack and Sharley, and faced the rest of the dogs. Without taking his eyes off the pack, Nicky reached back with one of his forepaws and touched Sharley on the shoulder.

She immediately settled down. She stopped screaming, which caused the

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other dogs to lose interest. Suddenly Nicky and Sharley were left alone.

Sharley now had a friend and protector.

Within the next few sessions, Nicky “taught” Sharley how to interact with the other dogs. Soon she was perfectly at home with the swirling mass of playing and romping dogs. As she grew, her initial fear of other dogs was replaced by confidence and canine social graces. This unusual relationship accelerated her education dramatically.

For Nicky, this first experience as a protector and mentor started a history of similar behavior. He started paying closer attention to “newbies” and often repeated his role as canine counselor. Over the years he developed a reputation as a “peace maker,” who regularly tries to passively separate squabbling dogs. This gentle form of control is not typical canine behavior.

Nicky was an anomaly – but what if you could create your own Nicky?

If you have never used a clicker, you may instantly assume it can’t be used in a group setting. What if other dogs in the play-group also know the clicker? In this case, that isn’t a problem.

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PET BOARDING & DAYCARE

Creating Serendipity for Fun and Profit While virtually every day-care business reports similar “helper dogs,” I have never heard anyone say they actively tried to reinforce or teach the behavior. Teaching a dog to “care” for newbies is as do-able as teaching them to come when called. It starts with developing a signal that means “yes” that is followed by tangible positive reinforcement. For those of you familiar with clicker training, you know that this is the function of the clicker.

Once you have a signal that can mark a single moment of correct behavior, subtle things like “stay close to the newbie” are easily strengthened.

If you have never used a clicker, you may instantly assume it can’t be used in a group setting. What if other dogs in the play-group also know the clicker?

In this case, that isn’t a problem.

Teaching “stay close to the newbie” is done in a separate area from the play-group. You can even teach a more structured “go find Sharley” command that will identify which dog your caregiver is supposed to protect. When you reintroduce the newbie, you can use the

clicker to tweak the behavior even with the other dogs present. If they butt in to get a treat, just make sure they don’t get it. After a short time they will ignore the click in that setting. Also, the caregiver dog will pick up the gist of its role faster with each additional dog. Soon it will be routine. Then it will become habitual as the dog learns its job. The time needed to introduce shy or fearful dogs becomes negligible as your caregiver dog learns the task.

One main advantage to the clicker may not be instantly realized is that the clicker is not connected with a specific person, which makes it seamlessly transferable from trainer to trainer.

This allows several staff members to create a “care-giver” dog in sequence faster than requiring that every trainer create a personal relationship with the dog. Once the dog is clicker trained, you can hand a clicker to someone new and the training doesn’t skip a beat. If you depend on verbal praise, you must individually create the foundation for learning with each trainer, separately.

Once the dog is clicker trained, you can hand a clicker to someone new and the training doesn’t skip a beat. If you depend on verbal praise, you must individually create the foundation for learning with each trainer, separately.

Another huge advantage to the clicker is the ability to “double handle.”

Sometimes the person directing the training is not in the perfect position to mark the exact instant the behavior occurs – especially at a distance. With a clicker, any person can click and the dog accepts the information perfectly.

If you are teaching a care-giver dog to find a specific newbie, you can release the dog into the play yard and have an assistant near the newbie be in charge of the click. This teaches the care-giver dog that you, personally, don’t have to be directly connected to finding the other dog.

I have used clicker training for behavior modification for over twenty five years, with thousands of dogs.

This example of using a precise tool to

PET BOARDING & DAYCARE

strengthen and shape canine nurturing is the perfect blend of dog-savvy observation combined with structured instruction. The net result is a blessing for your business – the ability to direct specific therapy to help dogs adapt to, what can be, a stressful introduction.

The net result is more dogs for your daycare services and improved socialization for dogs that need to learn to play well with others. n

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35

FACILITY DESIGN

Sanitation si m p l i f ied

By Chris Quinlan

M

aintaining your pet boarding and daycare facility can be time consuming and expensive if we don’t take a good look at what we are doing, or not doing. Being an owner/manager and the person who pays the bills, I want everything done in the most efficient way possible.

Basically, for the least amount of time and money. As business owners/ managers we are always striving to increase sales while reducing our expenses, which of course leads to profit. Sometimes, the way we are maintaining our facility is costing the business more money and staff more time than it needs to and not producing the results we are looking for. This is the point at which we need to take a look at what we are doing in the area of sanitation.

Sanitation refers to the process we use to remove the dirt that gets tracked into our pet care facilities every day. Yes, sanitation is a process that needs to be done every day. This process involves someone’s time and

36

Choosing a product to use for sanitation is much easier than getting staff to use the product correctly and consistently every day. In fact, getting staff to consistently clean properly will be your greatest challenge. the materials or products/equipment needed to get the job done. Any job that needs to be done usually has two costs involved, materials costs and labor costs. Typically, labor costs are 90% and material costs are 10% of the total expenditures related to any job. Ideally, we want to reduce the time it takes to get the job done and use the least number of products possible. Choosing a product to use for sanitation is much easier than getting staff to use the product correctly and consistently every day. In fact, getting staff to consistently clean properly will be your greatest challenge.

Let’s start with choosing the right product. The criteria we should use

PET BOARDING & DAYCARE

in choosing a product would be, first of all, one that meets the specific sanitation needs of a pet care facility.

That means we want a product that will be safe for use around the animals in our care. Stay away from products not made for animal care and even high level germicides found in veterinary or animal sheltering facilities that would be far beyond what a pet boarding/daycare would need. These products are typically more expensive, destructive to surfaces, less animal/ user friendly and more difficult to use.

Animal health care facilities such as veterinary hospitals and animal shelters require stronger products because they are dealing with infectious diseases

typically not seen in pet boarding and daycare businesses. We need a product that is not only safe for staff and guests, but it’s very important that the product does not destroy facility surfaces. It makes no sense at all to use a product that is destructive to surfaces such as the animal enclosures, flooring and synthetic turf, to name a few. All of which cost thousands of dollars to replace if we destroy them by using the wrong product to clean them. We need a product that’s low cost and easy to use.

By utilizing concentrated products and mixing the product with water, you will keep the product costs low.

All of your sanitation products will be pennies per gallon rather than dollars per gallon if you utilize concentrates.

Concentrated products are more environmentally friendly because they produce less plastic going into the land fill. Metered dispensing for your concentrated products is strongly recommended. This will save staff time and control product consumption. In my experience, taking the mixing out of staff ’s hands will cut your consumption in half.

We need one product that will clean, disinfect, and deodorize all the washable surfaces inside and outside my pet boarding and daycare facility.

Efficiency would mean using the least number of products possible. So choose a good cleaner that also kills germs and deodorizes surfaces instead of three separate products. We need a stable product that doesn’t lose its ability to clean and kill germs after a few hours or days. Otherwise we end up throwing out a lot of product that has lost its ability to be effective. Or we are using a product that is not working and just don’t know it. Our noses will eventually let us know. Choose a product that is identifiable by color for safety, and is pleasantly scented but not overpowering. Last but not least, choose a product that the staff likes, it’s much more likely to be used. n Chris Quinlan grew up in a family business that has specialized in hospital hygiene, sanitation, laundry, and floor care since 1958. While earning a Bachelor of Science degree from California Polytechnic

By utilizing concentrated products and mixing the product with water, you will keep the product costs low. All of your sanitation products will be pennies per gallon rather than dollars per gallon if you utilize concentrates.

University, Chris also received extensive training in the areas of chemistry, microbiology, hospital infection control principles and practices, institutional hygiene, environmental sanitation, odor control, floor care, and OSHA compliance.

Shortly after entering the family business, Chris started the animal care division of the company in 1989. Today Chris is president of Health Technology Professional Products, a leading brand in the pet care industry, and owns the Riverwalk Pet Resort with his wife Gia. Chris has been a speaker on sanitation for the Pet Services Association national meeting, as well as speaking on hospital hygiene and sanitation at several veterinary schools and associations.

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S S E R T S G N I C U D RE

s t a C r o f

IN A

Y T I L I C A F G N I D R A BO

By Ingrid King

38

PET BOARDING & DAYCARE

C

ats have a reputation for being independent, which often leads people to believe that they’ll do just fine on their own when their guardians have to go away for a few days. As long as someone comes in and leaves fresh food and water, that’s all they need, right? Nothing could be further from the truth. Accidents happen. Cats could stop eating while their guardians are away, or become ill.

Cats need more than just food and water to thrive – they need human interaction, and a chance to play.

Generally, there are two options for cat owners who have to travel: having a friend, neighbor or professional pet sitter come to the house, or boarding the cat at a boarding facility. Since cats dislike change, boarding can be a stressful experience. Boarding facilities who wish to attract cat owners need to be aware of cats’ unique needs, and take measures to reduce stress for their feline guests.

Providing a low-stress environment for cats starts with the selection of the actual boarding kennel. When Elizabeth Colleran, DVM, designed the boarding section of her cat clinics in Chico, CA and Portland, OR, she made sure that all design decisions and selections were made with cats’ needs in mind.

“We have a large boarding room with sleeping benches in each enclosure, and a view of the garden from the back of each enclosure,” says Colleran.

Cat kennels or condos should be spacious enough to accommodate separate areas for the cat’s litter box, food, and lounging areas. In order to minimize noise as well as stress, cat boarding areas should be separate from dog boarding kennels. Most cats will find the sound of barking dogs distressing. Cat boarding areas should also be kept away from the main traffic flow of the facility. Cats should not be able to see other cats from their cage or condo. Since cats are territorial animals, the sight of another cat can be stressful

and cause aggression toward kennel staff and other cats in the facility.

Enriching the kennel with features such as resting boards, cardboard hiding boxes, bedding and toys can go a long way toward making cats more comfortable. Offering a view of the

outside can be an added bonus, “Bird TV” can keep cats entertained during the day. Playing soft music throughout the day can provide a “white noise” effect. Studies have shown that classical music, or music specifically designed to calm pets, can have beneficial effects on

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Cats are highly sensitive to energy. A study conducted at the Ohio State University School of Veterinary Medicine demonstrated a connection between stress and illness in cats.

How clean is your air?

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PET BOARDING & DAYCARE

cats’ stress levels.

Pheromone sprays and plug-ins can help reduce anxiety in kennel areas.

Cages and bedding should be sprayed every day. The use of pheromone plugins in all areas of the kennel where cats will be housed can help keep feline boarders calm. Holistic remedies such as Rescue Remedy or Spirit Essences Stress Stopper can be beneficial as well.

If a boarding facility provides common social areas for cats, it is critical to only allow cats from the same family into the area at the same time, and only if prior approval is obtained from the cat’s owner. Common areas, as well as individual cages, need to be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected between cats to minimize the potential for exposure to spread illness. Even seemingly healthy cats can be carriers of feline viruses without exhibiting signs of disease. “There is a balance between cleanliness/disinfection and the elaborateness of the enclosures and common areas,” says Dr. Colleran. “I chose to keep them very simple so that we would never have a problem with viruses.”

A boarding facility can be frightening for cats, especially those who have not been away from home before. Cats will need time to acclimate to a new environment. Most cats will adjust within two or three days. They may not eat much during the adjustment period, and it is critical that food intake is monitored closely. A cat who doesn’t eat for more than 24-48 hours is at risk for Hepatic Lipidosis, a potentially lifethreatening condition.

Staff should be trained in proper handling of cats and in how to read a cat’s body language to avoid inadvertently stressing cats. “We watch for the behaviors we know indicate that cats are settling in,” explains Dr. Colleran, “especially how soon they eat, where they sit in the enclosure and how willing they are to curl up and sleep.”

Cats are highly sensitive to energy.

A study conducted at the Ohio State University School of Veterinary Medicine demonstrated a connection between stress and illness in cats.

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Researchers found that they had to manage their own stress levels when they were around the cats. “I had to be careful if I was having a bad day so it didn’t rub off on the cats,” says Judi Stella, PhD, a post-doctoral researcher at Purdue University, who participated in the study. Staff should approach cats slowly and speak in soft voices.

They should understand that forcing human contact does not accelerate a cat’s acclimation period. Cats need to be allowed to relax at their own pace.

Allow cat owners to bring their cat’s personal belongings. “We invite people to bring familiar bedding and familiar toys, food or treats,” says Dr. Colleran.

A blanket, article of clothing with the owner’s scent on it or a favorite toy may go a long way toward making a cat feel more secure.

Consider installing webcams in cat boarding areas so clients can monitor their cats while they’re away. Webcams are easy to set up and allow cat owners to watch live streaming video of their feline family members on the boarding facility’s

Allow cat owners to bring their cat’s personal belongings. “We invite people to bring familiar bedding and familiar toys, food or treats,” says Dr. Colleran. website. Most pet parents love being able to see their cat while they’re away.

“The web cams give me the opportunity to check on my cat Smoky, 24/7,” says Maureen Carnevale, who boards her cat at Olde Town Pet Resort in Springfield, VA. “Additionally, I can also observe the staff and the care Smoky receives in my

absence. This gives me a lot of comfort and peace of mind.”

Boarding facilities can greatly reduce stress for their feline clients by keeping cats’ unique needs in mind during facility design and when developing operating procedures. n

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ANIMAL HEALTH

Vaccination

protocols

By Jason and Steven Parker

W

hen it comes to pets, there is nothing more important than keeping them happy and healthy. Like humans, pets need vaccinations to help prevent illnesses. Laws associated with vaccinating your furry friends vary depending on the state, leaving a huge debate of whether or not we really need to treat our lovable pets with these vaccinations.

The answer is always up to the boarding facility owner and the pet owner. However, before deciding what is best for your business, it is imperative you understand what vaccinations are required by law. Below you will find a list of diseases that can be prevented with vaccination and properly educating your customers.

Rabies Not only is it a legal requirement by most states to be up to date on rabies vaccines, but if a dog becomes infected with rabies, it is almost always fatal to other dogs that it could infect, and is also transferrable to humans. Though it 44

Laws associated with vaccinating your furry friends vary depending on the state, leaving a huge debate of whether or not we really need to treat our lovable pets with these vaccinations. is not an airborne illness, it does affect the mental state of the animal and could cause them to be violent and bite anything in its path.

Distemper Distemper most commonly affects puppies under the ages of 12 months.

This is caused by a similar virus that causes the measles in humans and it is also transmittable in many different ways, including through the air. Though it is not generally fatal to older dogs, it can spread quickly which makes it easily transferrable from dog to dog.

Bordetella This is the vaccine that prohibits the spread of most strains of kennel cough, which is a highly contagious PET BOARDING & DAYCARE

airborne ailment that can affect any dog at any age and can also be contracted by simply sniffing the same area as an affected dog. This vaccine is required by our facility, as it is a common practice among all boarding facilities for the protection of animals.

Canine Influenza This is a shot that our facility requires based on the recommendations of veterinarians we work with in our area.

This is a good example of why you should create good relationships with the vets in your area so that when outbreaks happen, they can notify you immediately.

Check with local vets periodically to see if there is any new information that you should be aware of and in turn, should be making your clients aware of. Keep up-to-

sample health report card ____________________________________’s Report Card Last Name ______________________________________ Examined By_______________________ Date: ________

VACCINATION PROGRAM ___ ALL OK ___ DUE q Distemper/Parvo

q Lyme

q Bordetella

COAT & SKIN q No problems found q Dull/dry q Matted q Abnormal Lump

q Rabies

q Rattlesnake

q Flu

q Distemper q Leukemia

ABDOMEN q Excessive shedding/hair loss q Itchy q Parasites q Other: ________________

q No problems found q Abnormal lump q Tense/painful q Distended q Other: ______________________________

LUNGS EYES q No problems found q Cloudy lens: L ___ R ___ q Discharge q Other: ________________ q Inflamed q Eyelid Problem:_________________________________

EARS q No problems found q Inflamed q Itchy

q Abnormal lump: L ___ R ___ q Excessive wax/hair q Other: ________________

q No problems found q Breathing too rapidly q Coughing

q Breathing difficulty q Congestion q Other: ________________

DIGESTIVE SYSTEM q No problems found q Excessive gas q Vomiting q Eating disorder

q Abnormal feces (BM) q Diarrhea q Other: ________________

URINARY/REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM NOSE & THROAT q No problems found

q No problems found q Abnormal urinations q Breast lump(s) q Genital discharge q Anal gland problem q Abnormal testicles q Other: ________________

q Nasal discharge

MOUTH, TEETH, GUMS q No problems found q Broken teeth q Inflamed lips q Loose teeth q Ulcers q Bleeding gums q Abnormal lumps q Tartar buildup q Other: _____________________________

WEIGHT: _____ lbs q Normal range q Too heavy

q Too thin q Recommended weight: _______

INTESTINAL PARASITES/WORMS LEGS & PAWS q No problems found q Lameness/pain

q None seen q Seen during exam q Suspected q Joint/nail problem q Other: ________________

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date on your area’s doggie health news.

Vaccination and education is the key to prevention and will ultimately help pets live a happy and healthy life. Having the right plan in place for your facility will make you even more successful. n K-9 Resorts Daycare & Luxury Hotel was founded in 2005 by brothers Steven & Jason Parker in Fanwood, N.J. In their early teens, their parents denied them a dog of their own, so the entrepreneurial pair opened a professional pet-sitting business to prove they were both willing and ready to care for a dog. That business not only became a highly profitable enterprise that they sold for a sixfigure sum in 2006, that revenue became the expansion fuel for their burgeoning K-9 Resorts business. The business, which is the only facility in New Jersey to have been rated #1 by multiple major publications, is now positioned for franchise growth throughout the Northeast U.S. To learn more about K-9 Resorts Daycare & Luxury Hotel and potential franchise opportunities, visit the company’s website www.k9resorts.com.

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INDUSTRY NEWS

dogs on deployment

By Carissa Marks

W

ell, why on earth would they have a dog anyway?” That was part of a comment on a Facebook post which listed a dog owned by a military woman who was leaving for six months of training.

To me, it was akin to asking a soldier (or any other branch of service) why they breathe. Pets are a friend, a comfort, a safety factor, they help fight loneliness and depression. Petting a dog or cat can actually lower your blood pressure, for both civilians and military people…so why wouldn’t they own a pet? Yes, the job has some draw backs, such as long deployments, overseas duty stations and the risk of life and limb. Even with that, why should they be denied the opportunity to share that bond with a pet?

The time away can vary from a few weeks to a couple years. Many have asked why they do not just take them along.

The answer isn’t a simple “this” or “that,” it can be any one of several things or a combination. The military has a number of installations overseas, quarantine is long and expensive. For an older dog, this

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Pets are a friend, a comfort, a safety factor, they help fight loneliness and depression.

Petting a dog or cat can actually lower your blood pressure, for both civilians and military people…so why wouldn’t they own a pet? can be even tougher than the long flight in a cargo hold that has no temperature regulations. Most of the OCONUS (outside of the continental US) bases have size, weight, and breed restrictions.

Also, from state to state, the mainland bases have regulations that differ widely; and while there is a push by Dogs on Deployment to have these regulated, it will not be soon.

Airlines also have shipping restrictions. If the weather is too hot or cold, the pets cannot go for their own protection. Airlines will not ship large heavy animals. Driving across country with a dog or two is no easy task. Not only do you have to find a safe place to take the dog out for a walk, it also needs

to be safe for the owner. Just like people— animals are also susceptible to motion sickness. If you stop for the night, you have to find a pet friendly motel, there are more now than in the past, however, it is still not guaranteed that where you are will have accommodations.

Undoubtedly, the biggest issue is breed restrictions, followed closely by size restrictions. A huge boom would be to have boarding facilities partner with Dogs on Deployment and provide discounts or free space for military pets in need, especially in high need areas.

It would be the ideal way to support the troops in a way facility owners already have at their disposal, and it can garner a lot of free publicity. The Public Relations

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Midas, pictured with his owners Sgt Juan Valdez and fiance, Christen McGrath.

Dogs on Deployment, (or DoD), was established to help military members that are deploying find a foster home for their fur-friends while they are deployed.

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PET BOARDING & DAYCARE

email receives a minimum of a dozen requests for interviews each month. Many reporters want another link to the story, a new angle, which could well be a facility owner housing pets for deployed military.

The need is constant. More than one family member has said, “I’d take the dog, but my complex says no dogs over thirtyfive pounds.” Home Owners Associations have also been cited as a reason, “We can’t have any bully breed—even English Bull Dogs.”

When it comes to housing the pets during a deployment, some options are just not feasible. Long term boarding for a dog can start at $28 a day, cats start at about $18 and run to $90 and $50 before you get to designer pet care facilities. $840 a month, on the low end, is not practical for a military pay check. The other option is to hire a pet sitter. Lately there have been too many stories on Craig’s List where it was used to sell or give away the pets. (Craig’s List would also like to see this practice end.)

Dogs on Deployment, (or DoD), was established to help military members that are deploying find a foster home for their fur-friends while they are deployed.

They are not a rescue, and they do not rehome pets. One of the goals of Dogs on Deployment is to increase the rights and education that pet owners have while serving on active duty in the military. This includes bringing light to the problem of pet relinquishment by military members to higher levels of the chain of command, and petitioning for annual, military-wide pet responsibility training, as well as a military wide policy on pets. They want pets to be considered part of the family by military regulations, not disposable objects.

In the meantime, DoD provides a platform for the military member to register and post pictures of their pet along with a bit of information about them, the location and how long they will need to be fostered. Volunteer boarders can also register on www. dogsondeployment.org to take in pets.

The service member can then review the candidates and make contact with them, hopefully finding a temporary home for their pet. While the focus is mainly on

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Along with providing a link to potential boarders, DoD also provides information on the benefits of pet insurance and spay neuter programs.

Illness can strike when least expected, even with our pets. single military, for those making a PCS move (permanent change of station) to a foreign country, DoD is also here to help.

As the war in Afghanistan and Iraq winds down, DoD will also be looking to aid veterans that are in need of pet care while they are an inpatient at approved VA facilities for treatment.

The idea came to founders Shawn and Alisa Johnson, who serve in the US Navy and US Marine Corps respectively.

They started Dogs on Deployment in June 2011. As a dual-military family, the founders have been in situations where they needed a program like Dogs on Deployment. Alisa had orders to move to Quantico, Virginia where she was to attend six months of military training.

At the same time, Shawn was to be deployed. Neither could care for their beloved dog, JD. They were lucky enough

to have family to rely on, but recognized the need for a program which would help others who found themselves in a similar situation. Basics for the organization were hashed out on the drive from California to Virginia, all the while Alisa had butterflies thinking about leaving her much loved and spoiled pooch with people she didn’t know and her husband hadn’t seen in ages. More than once the question came to mind, “What if we didn’t have them to help out?” By the time they reached Quantico they knew they had to start a non-profit to help and that the name would be Dogs on Deployment.

Just like the owners deployed—so would the pets and the DoD is a bit of a take on the Defense Department. They are now an award winning non-profit with chapters across the country.

Along with providing a link to

potential boarders, DoD also provides information on the benefits of pet insurance and spay neuter programs.

Illness can strike when least expected, even with our pets. DoD has their Pet Chit program where they try to help military members or the boarders of deployed pets with emergency medical costs. Another item of concern is veterinary care while the service member is away. Dogs on Deployment would also be interested in establishing a working relationship with wellestablished vets and animal clinics, especially near high need areas.

More information about Dogs on Deployment is available on the website www.dogsondeployment.org. For anyone wanting to partner with Dogs on Deployment, they may email info@dogsondeployent.org n

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PRODUCT NEWS standards in the industry, and FetchFind will do just that while helping to keep the pet community connected. Visit www.Fetchfind. com for more details.

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