FAQs

 
Every dog that comes to our facility must have veterinary records proving they are current on rabies, distemper (dhpp) and bordetella (kennel cough) vaccines, per the NYC Health Department. ID tags on the collar alone will not meet the Health Department’s requirements, unfortunately. If your dog is medically exempt from a vaccine due to a health condition, your vet can provide a letter with this information in lieu of the vaccine.
How many dogs do you have at a time?

Our numbers fluctuate based on the time of year. During holiday periods, numbers generally increase as our customers’ need for boarding increases. Rather than looking at the number of dogs we have, we cap new reservations based on the specific dogs that are booked, examining their temperament, energy, and our ability to safely add others in their company.

Please follow the directions on this page to get started as a new client. You can then schedule by phone, e-mail or using our online booking platform.
Yes, but we ask that you set up an appointment. Because dogs can get anxious around new people, we want to plan your visit for a time that best meets our daily activities — that way you’ll get the best view of what we have to offer!
We use crates and separated spaces that we call "suites" as a tool to maintain safety and to give your dog a better experience throughout the day and overnight. Dogs that stay with us for boarding generally do well sleeping in bed with our overnight caretaker or choosing dog bedding available to them throughout the space, but some dogs are more likely to settle down and remain calm in their own independent space. For daycare, we utilize these spaces during our nap time (1-3 pm) as well as to give dogs a break when they are showing signs of fatigue or annoyance with other dogs after playing for some time. It is also a tool used to give short time-outs for nuisance behaviors amongst the group. For grooming, dogs are not crated before or after their appointment unless they do not do well with other dogs. We do also have (non-heated) cage air fans available for dogs who will not tolerate a traditional table dryer or are scared of the noise. In a nutshell: We are not cage-free 100% of the time, but during the short breaks your dog may have in a crate or separated area, he or she will have water, be in the line of sight of our caretaker, and will be brought back into the group as soon as it makes sense to do so. We do not accept dogs that need to be separated from the group at large for more than these short breaks; if this seems necessary we will make recommendations for facilities where your dog may be more comfortable.
We accept cash and all major credit cards. We can take checks from customers of one year or more.
Absolutely. We have trained staff on both levels of our facility throughout the day, and an overnight caretaker for the dogs staying with us at night.
Yes. If the medication is orally administered, this is no issue for our staff, though we will ask for instruction on how to best get your dog to ingest the full dosage. For more complicated medications, such as injections, we may require a training session and a $5 daily fee will be added.
Yes, but please let our staff know if someone other than yourself will be picking up. If another individual will be doing pickups or drops off on a regular basis, just let us know his/her name so we can mark that person as authorized for pick up in your dog’s file.
Yes, this is a requirement for all dogs staying with us past seven months of age. Around this point, hormones kick in and a dog who is not spayed or neutered will have a scent that other dogs notice quickly. This can cause aggression from other dogs, even if your dog is friendly. We still accept un-neutered/spayed dogs for our grooming service but ask that you alert us to this information before you bring your dog in; that way we can take every precaution to ensure your dog’s safety.
Yes we do! We have a backyard with outdoor turf, benches, a slide and a beds where the dogs can play, relax, and sunbathe when the weather is pleasant. Throughout the year, we also use this outdoor space for potty breaks. We encourage dogs to keep up good bathroom habits by maintaining pee/poop (which we refer to as “#1” and “#2”) for outside only. Though we of course have occasional accidents, our outdoor-only bathroom policy helps us keep a sanitary, non-stinky daycare! For dogs that are not used to going to the bathroom outdoors, we do have a wee-wee pad station set up. Dogs boarding with us are also walked in our local neighborhood in addition to the time they spend in our yard. We do not bring out dogs only visiting for grooming, so please make sure your pup goes to the bathroom before his or her appointment!
Sadly, no. Our facility is not set up to accommodate dogs with dog-aggression or those who cannot be around other dogs for any reason. We have a free moving, open space and do not isolate dogs. If your inquiry is regarding boarding, we do offer a pet sitting service in which a staff member can stay at your home, eliminating this problem.

For daycare, pre-paid packages provide the best bang for your buck.

For boarding, we do offer a pre-paid package good for 25 days which takes 10% off the total. This package is good for one full year, and is our best value.

We do not offer any discounts on grooming.

If you are delayed or it seems you may not make it by our closing time and do not have an emergency contact who can do so for you, we ask that you inform us ASAP so that we can determine a solution. The most ideal method would be to drop your dog at home, but for this we will need to make key arrangements in advance. We encourage you to leave a set with us if you think this may be a problem for you on occasion. On days when we have an overnight staff member present, we may also be able to arrange for this person to bring your dog out to you when you arrive past our closing hour, however you will incur late pickup fees, and we can only offer this as an option until 9 pm. If neither of these are an option, your dog will need to be picked up the next day and you will be charged the full boarding rate for the time we spend caring for your pup.
What does my dog do at daycare?

We’re so glad you asked! Our doggy daycare is structured so your dog gets maximum exercise, rest, outdoor and indoor time, and one-on-one attention. Dogs are matched based on their temperament and energy level and we encourage romping around, wrestling, and enjoying time with their fellow canines. This socialization is great for your dog’s physical and emotional needs — they stay active and learn cues about how to behave with others. We also have nap time, so your dogs get the chance to take a break, relax, and self-regulate. Dogs are meant to sleep for a portion of the day, so this helps them meet that physical need and prevents agitation. During nap time we put on soft music, turn the lights down, and arrange everybody in quarters that will allow them to best settle in. The latter half of the day is spent much the same as the first, though dogs usually get tired again as we move into the evening — that’s when we have the most opportunity to spend one-on-one time and form a greater bond with each of our furry friends. Yes, we love to snuggle them, too!

For the most part, yes. Our upstairs level is reserved for littles, tinies, and puppies. We may also have some mellow loungers that are bigger in size in this area. Our lower level is dedicated to medium to large sized dogs that have higher energy. Dogs that are boarding will mix with the group at large, though our numbers are much lower in the overnight hours and we integrate the pack slowly and carefully.

We allow puppies to begin socializing at the 13-week mark. Pups should have the full first round of vaccinations complete and be deemed healthy and able to socialize by your veterinarian. All required vaccines (rabies, DHPP and bordetella) should be administered at appropriate age markers thereafter. We also require that your dog be spayed or neutered by seven months of age to continue in daycare or boarding.

Yes, we do, but pick up and drop off is mostly done on foot, meaning you must live within a walkable distance from our facility. Occasionally we are able to accommodate pick up/drop offs by car for longer distances or for animals who cannot walk the distance from home, but this must be arranged in advance. We cannot guarantee availability to provide pick up/drop off without at least 24 hours notice, and our time windows may vary depending on the staff member providing the service.

Reservations are not required, but strongly recommended to guarantee a spot for your pup. We do hit capacity at times (often mid-week) and will announce this via our instagram. If we have not reached capacity and your dog has already passed a behavior evaluation, you are welcome to come as a walk-in.

Yes, we have water available in every room!

Yes. Please bring the pre-portioned meal with you when you drop your dog off. There is a $3 fee for meal administration during daycare

When dogs are grouped together, we must supervise them carefully at all times. Nuisance behaviors (from otherwise good dogs) that require correction include rough play, excessive barking or howling, excessive mounting, jumping or lunging inappropriately, and/or nipping. We always first attempt to correct these behaviors vocally — getting the dog’s attention with their name and a firm command. If the dog persists, we may use other forms of noise to halt the behavior, such as shaking a can of coins or spraying canned pressurized air which makes a hissing sound that attracts attention. We may also separate the dog temporarily, leash him or her and ask for a sit, gentle touching, or move the dog to a different area entirely. We do also employ squirt bottles with water for when bad behaviors persist despite multiple corrections. Most dogs respond to a splash of water and we find it is especially useful when two dogs are playing rough and their attention is not on the person supervising.

Just like when people socialize, when dogs spend time with other dogs, they may be exposed to bacteria or viruses. We require that all dogs in our care be innoculated against rabies, distemper, and bordetella (kennel cough). We also take every measure to keep things sanitary and clean to deter germs from spreading. Still, airborne contaminants remains a risk, especially for puppies with developing immune systems and for seniors/pets in poor health. We think the benefits of doggy daycare far outweigh the risk of a cold — it’s the same reason we brave crowded subways and bustling social events ?

Yes, we require that your dog attend at least three times a month to remain an active participant in our daycare program. As canine socialization is a skill, it takes regular practice for your dog to get comfortable with it and maintain good behavior in the environment. It also allows your dog to develop relationships with other regularly attending clients as well as our staff.
We require that all dogs in our care wear a collar that can be pinched for quick removal. This allows us to move dogs quickly and easily to prevent injuries, and to take the collar off with minimal effort should it get stuck on something. Dogs may wear a harness in lieu of a collar, however these tend to get ripped and damaged over time with play.
Where will my dog sleep at night?

Our facility is set up for your dog to spend the night with our overnight staff member and canine companion, on a comfy dog bed, or in a separate suite space or crate if they are more likely to settle that way. If your dog is trained to sleep in a crate at night or simply prefers it, we will utilize this option. During especially busy times, we may select shy, sensitive or nervous dogs to spend the night at an insured staff member’s home rather than in the facility; this helps us to ensure the dog’s comfort and reduces the demand on our overnight staff. Similarly, on nights when we have two or fewer dogs booked for boarding, your pup may spend an overnight at a staff member’s home and return to our facility in the morning.

Plan to bring your dog in with a collar and leash/any walking equipment you use as well as regular food and any medications. You do not need to bring bowls or toys as we do not share these items and have plenty of our own. You are welcome to bring a small comfort item such as a blanket if it will make your dog more comfortable, but do be advised that other dogs may try to use it, too!

Small dogs will join our "littles" pack and are generally 30 lbs and under. Breeds/breed mixes may include shihtzu, chihuahua, bichon frise, yorkie, maltese, mini poodle/doodle, small terrier, etc. Medium/large dogs will join our larger pack and require more room to run and play. Breeds/breed mixes may include: retriever, labrador, bulldog (french, english, american), shepherd, mid-size poodles or doodles, husky, etc. If you are unsure which category your pup fits into, please contact us!

We strongly recommend against changing your dog’s food and like to keep them on their regular diet to prevent any digestive troubles. In the event of an emergency, we do have American Journey (salmon) kibble in stock.
The best way to see updates on your dog’s stay is to follow us on Instagram or Facebook(let us know if you have a handle that we can tag you in when we post your dog’s photo!). Please be patient: If you don’t see your dog in our photos right away, it doesn’t mean your dog is not enjoying his or herself — just that we’re focusing on taking good care of your furry friend! You can also feel free to check in by phone or email if you are not on social media and we will get back to you with an update.
Boarding dogs are let out into our backyard several times throughout the day with the other dogs who are in for daycare. If you would like your dog to be given a mid-day walk on leash, you may request one for an additional $10 per day.
In the event of illness or injury, we always contact you and/or your emergency contact immediately to advise you of the situation and to make decisions about next steps. Should your dog need urgent medical care, Animal Loving Care does have a working relationship with a 24 hour emergency vet. For less pressing matters, we will seek your counsel on whether you would like us to bring your dog in for a vet visit at your expense.
No, we do not. We find that cats are most comfortable in their homes and offer in-home visits where we can feed, change litter, and play with your cat.
Yes, your dog should be at least 6 months old (old enough to have all required vaccinations and be spayed/neutered). We also are selective in boarding dogs in their senior years. Our facility is small and caters to dogs eager to socialize, and we do not have a "quiet" section where older dogs can be separated from the pack. For these reasons, we do not accept any newcomers over the age of 10 and we watch how regular visitors are doing as they age to determine whether the environment is still comfortable for them.
What is included in my dog’s groom?
It depends what service you choose! A full groom, the most common choice, gives you the works: a bath, brush out, stylized haircut, nail trimming, ear cleaning, paw pad cleanup, and sanitary shave. Other options, like anal gland expression or teeth cleaning, can be done as add-ons.

We aim to please, but please know that the look you hope to get depends on a few factors: your dog's current coat condition, length of hair, and how you explain the style to us. We have length reference charts available for you to review at the Spaw, and relevant pictures. We have also written a more detailed guide on getting what you want from the groomer! Please have a read!

Dog grooming involves many steps and requires time and patience. For dogs requiring haircuts, small breeds like shihtzus and maltese generally take 2 to 2 1/2 hours, mid-size dogs such as cocker spaniels three hours, and larger breeds 3 1/2 hours plus. Those coming in for de-shed treatments, mini-grooms, or bath services will require less time than a haircut. Your dog’s behavior and coat condition will also be factors in how much time we need. We can give you our best estimate when you drop off.
Grooming prices are based on your pet's size, coat type, coat condition, behavior, and any add-ons you choose. Grooming an animal is not easy – that’s why you’re going to a skilled professional! It is time-consuming, dirty, and hard manual work. The more difficult your pet is in terms of behavior or condition, the harder that work is. We price accordingly.
Generally we can accept walk-ins for nail trims but we’d appreciate a heads up phone call. Also, sometimes our groomers finish or start at different hours depending on the day’s appointments.
Yes! De-shedding treatments can make a world of difference for heavy shedders and we are experts at this.
Yes, if your dog is good or indifferent with other dogs you can add daycare to their spaw day for a discounted rate.
It depends how bad the matting is. De-matting is essentially ripping through knots in the coat – and it hurts! If there is a small section of mats, we may be able to work through it. Widespread matting means your dog will need to be cut short for his comfort.
Yes, please. Dog grooming is similar to having your hair cut at a salon. The typical recommended gratuity is 20% of the cost.
If you need to change or cancel your appointment we ask that you please give us 24 hours notice so that we may inform the groomer and open up the slot for another customer. If you cancel with less notice, you will be subject to a $50 cancellation fee. If you book an appointment and do not show up, you will be subject to the full grooming cost. Please let us know as soon as you can! We send both an email and text reminder to give you ample time to cancel if needed.
If you are running late we ask that you let us know as soon as possible. Depending on how late you are your groomer will let you know if they can still take the appointment. A late fee will apply.
Our peak walking hours are 11 AM to 4 PM. Off-peak walks are available by special arrangement.
We are not offering solo walks for new clients. Occasionally an existing group walk client may need temporary solo walks due to illness or injury and for this we can make special arrangements.
Our dog walkers currently service Carroll Gardens, Cobble Hill, Columbia Street Waterfront and some parts of Gowanus, Red Hook and Park Slope in Brooklyn. Please see our coverage map below this FAQ section.
We operate as a team, so your dog may be cared for and walked by 2 to 3 trained individuals. This ensures coverage.

Your keys will be stored securely in a lockbox at our storefront and/or with your most frequent dog walker. If possible, we ask that you provide two sets of your keys so we always have a backup.

We will notify you via our customer portal, with a text message. The message will include information about the dogs your pet walked with, any notable moments from the walk, whether they did their business (#1 or #2), and any concerns (such as loose stool).
After scheduling your initial consultation, we will inquire about your specific requirements. If, for example, you need daily weekday walks, we will automatically schedule walks for your dog from Monday to Friday, within the time frame you authorize on a template. If your schedule is more unpredictable, you can use the Time to Pet app to request walks as necessary. You can also use this system to add or cancel walks.
Please shoot us an email (or use the form below this FAQ section) with the details of your needs! We will want to know your dog’s name, age, breed, and experience walking with other dogs. We will also need your address and suggestions on a good date and time for an initial consultation. Consultations must be scheduled at least two days prior to your dog’s first walk with us.

Yes, we do. Puppy visits are 30 minutes long and we can feed and spend time with your puppy as you see fit.

Most of our walks are completed by 5 PM, however we are happy to check the availability of our walkers to accommodate off-peak requests. The more notice you give, the more likely we will be able to accommodate. Off-peak walks are charged at a separate rate.

Still have questions? Please contact us!