Regulations
Chesapeake Pet Resort is a Licensed Pet Care Facility in accordance with the Regulations of St. Mary's County Animal Control, St. Mary's County Environmental Health Division, and the St. Mary's County Sheriff. As such, and in addition to our own "Standards of Care," we require the following:

New information as of August 18, 2009 regarding the "Dog Flu," H3N8 virus: Local Veterinarians are strongly urging that pet owner's have their dogs vaccinated for the H3N8 "Doggie Flu." Similar to the Bordetella Virus, it is highly contagious, especially whenever two or more dogs are present in a given area such as dog parks or kennels. Please contact your vet for more information, and the following website, www.cdc.gov/flu/canine. At this time we very strongly recommend the vaccinations for H3N8, although not required, pending further information.

Vaccinations
We do require all pets entering our facility provide current records for at least the following vaccinations, administered by a licensed Veterinarian:

Dogs:

• Rabies
• Distemper (DHLPP)
• Bordetella

Cats:

• Rabies
• Distemper
• Feline Leukemia (preferred, but not required)

Vaccinations must be administered at least 7 days prior to lodging with us, if not current in the last year.

Vaccination records should be faxed in advance of your arrival, to 301-373-5155. Pets at Check-In without proper records will be turned away.

Parasite Control

• All pet guests should be current on some form of topical flea and tick preventative, as prescribed by your Veterinarian. Please do not bring bedding from home, that may possibly have uninvited critters aboard, to then enter our facility. We provide ample clean, fresh, bedding twice or more daily as needed.
• Pets arriving with fleas or ticks will be turned away, or bathed, at our discretion, and at Owner’s expense for any bathing, flea and/or tick removal.

General Health Policies

• Any pets arriving with evidence of coughing, sneezing, or otherwise readily apparent signs of illness or injury will not be permitted to stay.
• Pets having had recent surgical procedures should speak with us individually, prior to arriving, to discus any health issues that may be relevant.

Pet Guest Restrictions

• We are not a "Kennel." (ie: minimal care, dreary jail-like facilities). We are an interactive pet care facility for well loved and respected family pets with stable dispositions. We DO NOT accept, and will send home, pets that are aggressive (biters or scratchers), destructive, escape artists or diggers, pets that are sick or heavily medicated, pets with extreme separation anxiety or other mental health issues, or "above and beyond" excessive barkers or howlers. Special needs pets should consider other arrangements such as a "Kennel," Veterinarian boarding facility, a special needs Pet Sitter, or a friend or family member.

Policies




• Included Daily Outdoor Playtimes: Rates include 4 or more outdoor playtime sessions per day for Boarding dogs in addition to use of the Indoor-Outdoor Patio-Run kennels morning to evening, at no additional charge, (unique to our operation), fresh laundry and sanitized pet enclosures and facilities daily, heated and air conditioned facilities, TV's and nite lights, and several other inclusions we would be happy to discuss at length. We utilize a large, educated and trained, staff with attention to details, and frequent personal attention and cuddling with your pets, all of which is included in the Lodging Rate.

• Pet Food: We provide Pedigree dog food at no additional fee, or you are welcome to bring your own food from home in pre-portioned plastic zipper baggies for each pet for each meal needed while staying with us, and sealed in a plastic tub of some sort. We can not accept food that has been pre mixed with medicines. For Cats, please bring your food of choice from home, and any special cat litter required. We provide clay litter at no additional charge.

• Bedding: We provide clean, fresh bedding twice or more, every day as needed. Please do not bring bedding from home. We do not accept dog beds or comforters from home due to threat of fleas or ticks, limited storage areas, and inability to launder bulky items, which we will wash every day. Please label any leashes, toys, or food/treat containers for prompt return at Check-Out. We are not responsible for items that become lost while at our facility. Please do not bring valuable or unreplaceable items. We do not accept rawhide bones or knuckle/leg bones, for safety reasons. Please just bring your pet on a leash (or in a pet carrier), as well as any special food or medications. We've got lots and lots and lots and lots of bedding, blankets, plush beds, food and treats and bowls, and toys to keep your pets comfie cozy, and they are usually so busy playing and checking everything out, that they aren't too concerned about the "scented" blankets or clothing or beds brought from home!

• Vaccinations: All Pets must be current for required vaccinations, administerd by a licensed Veterinarian. Dogs require Bordetella (at least 7 days prior if not current in the last year), Distemper, and Rabies (required by Law!). Please make sure your Veterinarian indicates on your Certificate the date given and expiration date for all vaccinations, as well as if the vaccinations are "one year" or "three year" innoculations. All pets must be current on some type of topical flea and tick treatment recommended by your Veterinarian, such as Frontline, Advantix, etc.

• Fleas & Ticks: We are a "Flea & Tick-Free Facility!" Any pets arriving with fleas and ticks will be provided a mandatory flea/tick bath at the Owner's expense (based on the size and temperament of the pet, coat length, etc), in addition to any other grooming, lodging, or other anticiapted fees for that particular visit for which the pet was visiting. Fees for flea and tick baths start at $35 and up. Labrador sized dogs, for example, will cost around $45 - $65 for a flea/tick bath. Please do not bring bedding from home, which can harbor fleas and ticks or other critters, and their eggs or pod children. Grooming pets arriving for flea baths should wait for kennel staff before bringing pets into the building. Speak with your Veterinarian about the best flea and tick prevention program for your pet. We prefer topical treatments such as Advantix, etc.

• Acceptable Payment Options: We accept Cash, Master Card or Visa, Discover, or Checks. Our Returned Check Fee is now $50.00.

• Payment is due upon services rendered: Payment is due at time of pet check-out when you return from your trip or when picking your pet up from their grooming appointment or daycare visit.

• Daily Rates: Rates are invoiced "Per Day", not "Per Night". Care of your pets starts very early each morning, and goes late into the night, and around the clock, not just in "overnight" or "per night" periods. Caring for your pet from Saturday morning to Sunday evening is considered 2 days for invoicing purposes. A Saturday am drop off one week to a Saturday am (before 11am) pick up the next week, is considered 7 days, for invoicing purposes.

• First Day Fee: All Pet Guests are charged a full day Lodging fee for the first day, whether Check-In occurs during morning, or afternoon hours.

• ***New in 2010** Check-Out Time is now 10:00 AM (Mon - Sat) to avoid lodging fees for that day, 3-5 pm on Sundays!: No charge for Check-Out day if picked up by 10:00 am (Mon-Sat). Check-out after 10:00 am will result in additional half day or full day lodging fees for that day, depending on check out time before 5 pm. Sunday's are always full fees or a full day, irregrdless of check-out time.

• Driveway Gate Security: Please do not walk around the closed driveway gate if you arrive after hours. We ask that you return during posted business hours.

• Ideal Pet Guests: We prefer Pet Guests that are well socialized, healthy, happy, and obedient, and less than 10 years old. Please speak with us if your pet's needs are outside of this range so we might best serve you, on a case by case basis.

• Aggressive or Sick Pets: We do not accept pets that are aggressive, escape artists or diggers, pets that are sick or heavily medicated, pets with extreme separation anxiety or other mental health issues, or "above and beyond" excessive barkers, screamers, or howlers. Extra fees may incurr for pets requiring extra staff and/or handling (or earplugs), in your absence. Anxious pets should visit their Veterinarian's prior to visiting us, to discus possible medicinal aids if realllly necessary. We don't support pet sedation, but sometimes "better living through chemistry," is helpful for anxious pet owners worried about their anxious pets away from home. (also helps us not to worry so much about your worried pet.) Pet's arriving with any open wounds or recent surgeries may be turned away, due to potential for infection from close proximity to many other pets. Please call us prior to check in to talk about any special needs.