Health and Safety

Please help us to ensure that Urban Tails is a safe hang-out for both cats and dogs.

• Overall Health- All pets visiting the center must be in good health. For the protection of other dogs and cats in the center, any pet with a communicable condition will not be allowed. Pets adopted from shelters need 30 days in-home prior to admittance to our facility. Pets who have been ill with a communicable condition within the prior 10 days will require a veterinarian’s certification of health prior to being re-admitted to the facility. Medications required during boarding stay are limited to oral and topical applications only, dispensed no more than three times per day. Pets requiring multiple medications may be subject to an additional processing fee. Pets must be on an effective flea control program; if fleas are found at check-in a mandatory flea bath will be given (prices start at $24). Dogs boarding in our lofts must be ambulatory for daily walks (yes, wheelchairs are ok). Female dogs may not be in heat during their loft board visit or during obedience training programs.

• Vaccinations– Our policy is designed to protect the health of all pets in our center while also supporting growing concerns in the pet community about potential health risks of over-vaccination of pets. Our vaccination policy has been created to meet Houston kennel license requirements and Texas state law, accordingly we verify Rabies every 3 years for pets over 1 year of age. We additionally require immunity/resistance against core diseases (dogs & cats) and Bordetella (dogs). We request for our files evidence from your veterinarian of your pet's current vaccination status and send reminders for Rabies, Parvovirus and Bordetella. We DO defer to each pet’s owner/veterinarian team regarding existing immunity status and recommended vaccination protocol for that pet while in our community facility. If your veterinarian has advised against certain vaccination protocols for your pet, and for owners with special circumstances, we will not require those vaccinations and will accept your veterinarian’s letter and your release of liability in the event your pet contracts disease.

• Pet Boarding Behavior Requirements- Our pet boarding set-up requires that all dogs & cats can be handled for feeding and cleaning of enclosures by our staff. Inappropriate behavior can result in termination of boarding privileges. Inappropriate dog behavior includes, but is not limited to, growling, snapping, biting or excessive stress exhibited in continual barking, pacing, drooling and/or physical destruction of property. Inappropriate cat behavior includes, but is not limited to, growling, excessive hissing, attacking staff and any behavior that prevents us from entering suites for feeding and/or cleaning.

• Daycare Dog Social Skills & Attendance Requirements- All dogs attending daycare must be spayed or neutered by 6 months of age. Inappropriate dog behavior can result in termination of daycare or sleepover privileges. Inappropriate dog behavior includes, but is not limited to, bullying another dog, biting and fighting. We will discuss all situations and concerns candidly with you and recommend training or behavior rehabilitative options that may remedy any undesirable behavior. For everyone’s safety dogs need to play at least once per month to retain daycare and overnight social skills and privileges. We reserve the right to re-test any dog we deem necessary if we have not seen them in 3 months or more.

• Calming Aids– Minimizing stress of all pets in our center is an area of focus for us. We use different natural aids that include, but are not limited to: Rescue Remedy, Comfort Zone spray/plug-in, and Lavender spray. We have seen these aids benefit and calm many pets during boarding. This results in a more enjoyable stay for them and overall better health. We find these aids are needed infrequently at our center, but when used are very effective. Please let us know if you have any questions or concerns related to the potential use of these aids with your dog.

• Toys & Beds, Etc.- For your convenience we offer basic bedding in our lofts and optional furnishings for additional fees (see our Optional Loft Luxuries form). We realize that your dog may prefer some items from home during their stay. We cannot be held responsible for the condition of any item brought to our center upon its return. We also ask that you limit items to only one or two favorite toys, one bed, blanket, and/or crate. We also appreciate having items that can be washed easily, in the event items become soiled during the stay. Due to our group environment in the dog center, only toys and beds provided by Urban Tails are allowed in daycare and sleepover areas. Collars and leashes are left and stored by us at your own risk (we are not responsible in the event of loss or damage). Cats may bring all their own stuff . . .

• Healthy Pet Guarantee- For your peace of mind, Urban Tails provides a Healthy Pet Guarantee that our customers can accept or decline for each of their pets' stays. This guarantee provides that if your pet gets sick while it is staying with us, or for a period of 7 days after the stay, we will pay the veterinary costs up to a pre-determined limit. Ask our Guest Services Counselors for the current limit of coverage and the cost for this guarantee.

To ensure the safety and security of all clients, our pets, employees and our business we reserve the right to decline service to any individual or pet for any reason. Please help us ensure that Urban Tails is a safe hang-out for dogs and cats.