Health & Safety Information for Boarding Guests

If your pup has an upcoming boarding reservation with us, or you’re interested in future boarding, we wanted to share some important health and safety information.

During peak boarding seasons, boarding facilities may see an increase in cases of Canine Cough, an upper respiratory illness. We want to reassure you that Country Tails takes many precautions to help prevent the spread of illness. We have recently added an air purifier with UV filtration and a HEPA filter to help keep the air clean in the boarding area. In addition, we clean and sanitize bowls and boarding spaces daily.

To further support these efforts, we kindly ask clients with upcoming boarding reservations, if at all possible, to avoid heavily populated dog areas such as dog parks, daycare facilities, or similar environments for at least one week prior to their stay (and preferably up to two weeks if possible). This helps us tremendously in minimizing the risk of illness and keeping all dogs in our care safe and healthy.

What is Canine Cough?
Canine Cough, also known as infectious tracheobronchitis, is similar to a cold in dogs. It is an airborne illness that can also spread through direct contact with an infected dog. It typically affects the upper airways, causing irritation and inflammation of the throat and windpipe. While it is usually mild in healthy dogs, it can be uncomfortable and occasionally lead to more serious illness in puppies, older dogs, or dogs with pre-existing health conditions. Most dogs start showing symptoms 2–3 days after exposure but can take up to 10 days.

Common symptoms include:

  • Sudden, honking cough (often more noticeable during activity)

  • Gagging or retching

  • Sneezing

  • Runny nose or eyes

  • Decreased energy

If you notice any of these symptoms in your dog before their stay, please reach out immediately. The health and safety of the dogs in our care is always our top priority.

Arrival and Pick-Up Safety Guidelines

Upon Arrival
A staff member will greet you when you arrive to ensure a smooth check-in for both you and your dog.

Before Bringing Your Dog In
If you’d like to tour the facility or share any special instructions, we ask that you keep your dog in your vehicle during this part of the process. This allows us to review details without distractions and helps your dog stay calm.

Sharing Details & Belongings
Once we’ve received your dog’s items—such as food, medication, or toys—and discussed any special notes, a team member will accompany you out and bring your dog inside.

Why We Do This
We’ve found that dogs are much less anxious when owners are not present in the kennel area. This routine helps minimize stress for your dog and for the other dogs in our care. Our team is always happy to answer any questions about this process!

Pick-Up Process

When you arrive for pick-up, we’ll bring your pup out to you — we know they’ll be thrilled to see you!

Wrap-Up & Payment
After your reunion, we’ll finalize any remaining balance and review your dog’s stay, including report cards and notes for future visits.

Safety Guidelines for Pick-Up
To keep all pets and clients safe during pick-up:

  • All dogs must be on a leash at all times.

  • If you enter the kennel area, please remain in the front desk area.

  • Avoid approaching, touching, or making eye contact with the dogs in our care.

  • Please call or text us with an estimated drop-off or pick-up time. This helps us ensure all dogs are safely put away before clients arrive.