Frequently Asked Questions

We require a full-day visit for the safety of your dog, our staff, and other guests at The Barking Birch. A full-day visit gives us a chance to get to know your dog, gauge their comfort level with us, and judge whether they’re a good fit for daycare and lodging.

We administer your pup’s medication free of charge as a part of our services. Please bring any necessary meds and any instructions.

We encourage you to bring a few comfort items to make your pet feel at home. We ask, however, that you only bring two or three items for your pet. We don’t allow personal items outside of your pet’s suite, to prevent them from being lost or damaged.

How does all day sound? Our happy hounds, harriers, and huskies enjoy the sunshine and get the paw-ty started. Overnight guests get to play with daycare dogs, with some dedicated rest time during the day. Unlike other resorts, all-day play and enrichment are important to us – and we don’t charge extra for care and attention.

We welcome your pet to stay as long as they like. We charge per day, to give you the exact amount of time you need for your getaway. The only time we require two night stay is over holidays. We have plenty of pups that spend one night with us, and a few we keep for months at a time while their parents are snowbirding.

We can administer multiple types of medicine for your dog, all as a part of their stay. This includes injections for your pet, just make sure to bring a list of instructions on how and when to administer the medicine.

We know some pet owners are wary of pairing their purse-sized pets with our heftier dogs. That’s why we arrange play groups based on size, age, and temperament. Older dogs often need more rest or less energetic play. Our playgroups factor in many aspects of temperament like energy levels, play style, and social skills.

There are a few requirements for any dog that visits our lodge, like vaccinations, spaying/neutering, etc. But we also believe strongly in giving your pet a wonderful, relaxing experience. For any pet that is still scared or agitated by their visit, we may ask you to pick them up early.

We do not offer hair coloring services for dogs. We prefer our pups all-natural.

Grooming prices differ depending on many factors. For the most part, prices will increase if your dog is larger than average, has longer or higher-maintenance fur, or requires a much slower pace with frequent breaks for grooming.

We would love to show you around! We’re constantly chasing our tails, though, so call us to schedule your visit.

Our team members are in the facility interacting with the dogs from 6 AM to 10 PM, with 24-hour monitoring for our guests. There are plenty of potential times to pick up or drop off your pet throughout the week:

• • • Monday – Friday: 7AM – 1PM, 3PM – 6PM
    • Saturday: 8AM – 12PM
    • Sunday: 12PM – 1PM, 5PM – 6PM

We recommend booking as soon as possible. Typically, it depends on a few factors, like the time of year and the service you are looking for. For example, in the summer, our boarding services might be scheduled out for weeks at a time (in which case, we’ll add you to a waitlist, in case a spot opens).

As a rule, follow these guidelines:

• • • Daycare: a few days preferably, but we can sneak in last minute additions too
    • Lodging: a couple weeks to a couple months depending on the season
    • Grooming: a couple of months in advance for haircuts or a few days for baths

Every dog at The Barking Birch is required to show proof of vaccination for Rabies, Bordetella, and Distemper. These vaccinations not only keep your pet from getting sick, but also from spreading illnesses to our team and other guests.

Yes. Any dog older than eight months in age must be spayed or neutered.

We welcome your pet to stay as long as they like. We charge per day, to give you the exact amount of time you need for your getaway. The only time we require two night stay is over holidays. We have plenty of pups that spend one night with us, and a few we keep for months at a time while their parents are snowbirding.

You can tell us any special conditions about your dog on your dog registration form. Please let us know not only what they don’t like, but what they love. Knowing everything we can about your pet will help us give them the best experience.

The Barking Birch is located on a single level. Your dog will have access to all our facilities without having to use any stairs.

You can pay when you pick up your pet. We accept cash, checks, and credit, with all the major carriers. You can tip if you like, and we recommend doing so for our talented groomers. Tipping is available when you make payment.

You can always call us! Reception answers the phones during business hours and can help you make any appointments that you need.