Frequently Asked Questions
We know sending your dog to boarding, Playcare, or training is a big decision.
These FAQs are here to give you clarity and peace of mind.
If you don’t see your question answered here, please reach out—we’re happy to help.
General Questions
Do you offer facility tours or meet & greets?
Tours & Facility Visits
At Meraki Canine, the safety and emotional well-being of every dog in our care comes first. Because our days are thoughtfully structured around training sessions, rest periods, and enrichment routines, all tours and Playcare visits are scheduled by appointment only.
This allows us to welcome prospective families at appropriate times without disrupting the dogs’ routines or creating unnecessary stress for those who may be shy or sensitive to new activity.
We do not accept walk-in visits, as unplanned traffic can interfere with structured programming and group stability.
Kennel Viewing & Access
For safety and biosecurity reasons, access to the main kennel areas is limited during tours. This protects both our canine guests and visitors while maintaining the calm, controlled environment that supports successful stays.
We’re always happy to answer questions about our setup, daily routines, cleaning protocols, and safety procedures — transparency is important to us, and we want families to feel informed and confident.
Scheduling a Tour
To schedule a tour or Playcare visit, please contact us at 814-547-8091, email us at meraki-canine-llc@pawpartner.com, or request an appointment through our client portal. We’ll gladly arrange a time that allows you to see our facility while maintaining the structure our dogs rely on.
We appreciate your understanding and look forward to welcoming you in a way that supports both your visit and our dogs’ comfort.
What health records do you require?
To ensure the safety and well-being of all dogs in our care, the following are required:
Vaccinations
• Rabies (required by Pennsylvania law)
• DHPP/DAPP
• Bordetella (annually or as recommended by your veterinarian)
Leptospirosis and Lyme vaccinations are strongly recommended due to our regional risk factors.
Health Requirements
• Current flea and tick prevention
• Negative fecal exam within the past 12 months
Submitting Records
Vaccination records must be clear and legible. Vaccination names and expiration dates must be clear to read. Please upload a PDF copy to your Paw Partner portal, email it to us, or bring a paper copy to your appointment. (PDFs are preferred over Photos for portal uploads and email submissions.)
Are there any breed or age restrictions?
All breeds and ages are welcome with no maximum age limit.
Puppies must have completed at least two rounds of vaccines before attending any of our services.
What are your health & safety policies?
Illness & Parasite Policy
To protect the health and well-being of all dogs in our care, Meraki Canine cannot accept dogs with contagious illnesses or active parasite infestations.
Common examples include (but are not limited to):
• Bordetella (kennel cough)
• Conjunctivitis
• Fleas
• Intestinal parasites or worms
Symptoms may include coughing, vomiting, diarrhea, nasal or eye discharge, lethargy, or visible parasites.
If a dog develops signs of illness while in our care, they will be separated from other dogs and the owner will be contacted for prompt pickup. Veterinary clearance is required before returning.
Dogs arriving with visible symptoms or currently undergoing treatment for a contagious condition will not be admitted. This policy ensures the safety and comfort of all guests.
Behavioral Eligibility
For the safety of staff and other dogs, we are unable to accommodate dogs who display severe dog aggression, human-directed aggression, or behaviors that present a safety risk within a group or boarding environment.
Additionally, due to our facility location and commitment to maintaining a calm, structured atmosphere, we cannot accept dogs experiencing severe separation anxiety or persistent disruptive behaviors such as:
• Excessive barking or howling
• Destructive behavior within kennels
• Escape attempts
• Ongoing distress behaviors
These behaviors can create stress for other dogs in our care and compromise the stability of our structured environment.
If a dog exhibits unsafe or significantly disruptive behavior during their stay, owners may be contacted for early pickup.
Property Responsibility
Dogs who cause damage to facility property due to destructive behavior may result in the owner being financially responsible for repair or replacement costs.
Temporary Capacity Notes
While our new boarding building is under construction, our ability to accommodate dogs requiring specialized behavioral management is limited. We look forward to expanding these capabilities in the future.
Questions?
If you have questions about health or behavioral eligibility, please contact us at 814-547-8091. We are always happy to discuss whether our environment is the right fit for your dog.
Services Questions
What do I need to bring with my dog for boarding or Playcare?
Boarding: Bring food in a sealed, labeled container with enough for stay plus extra. Bring Medications with a Medication Intake Form. Bedding (parasite-free), toys, and bowls are optional.
Playcare: Nothing needed; dogs typically don’t eat during the day. Contact us for training or other specific service needs.
What is the typical daily schedule for Playcare and boarding dogs?
We incorporate enrichment-based activities throughout the day while maintaining a calm, structured environment. Dogs receive regular outdoor potty breaks every 2–4 hours during daytime care (more frequently for seniors or those with medical needs). Overnight, potty intervals are typically no longer than eight hours.
A Typical Day:
Our daily schedule is intentionally structured to balance physical activity, mental engagement, and restorative rest — creating stability rather than overstimulation.
Morning
• Early potty break (typically 6–7am)
• Structured free play indoors or in privacy-fenced outdoor yards
• Individualized engagement based on temperament and energy level
Mid-Morning
• Enrichment sessions (sensory activities, brain games, scentwork, leash walks, themed activities)
• Lunch for dogs who receive midday meals
• Training sessions for Board & Train or Day Training participants
Midday Reset
• Scheduled quiet time to encourage rest and digestion
• Calm decompression to prevent over-arousal and stress
Afternoon
• Additional enrichment or structured play rotations
• Ongoing potty breaks every 2–4 hours (or more frequently as needed)
Evening
• Dinner rotations and final potty breaks (typically 9–10pm)
As weather permits, dogs enjoy outdoor access within our secure, privacy-fenced yards throughout the day.
Booking & Payment
How far in advance should I book?
Our services are very popular and fill up quickly. We recommend booking as soon as you know your travel or training dates to avoid missing out on a spot for your dog.
What is your boarding cancellation policy?
To ensure we can contact waitlisted clients, we require notice for cancellations: 48 hours for general stays, 72 hours for peak season (Memorial Day–Labor Day), and 12 days for major holidays. Late cancellations incur a 50% fee, and no-shows are charged 100% of the invoice. Fees must be settled before future bookings. We understand emergencies happen and may make exceptions on a case-by-case basis.
What is your refund policy?
We do not offer refunds for services, packages, or programs unless an exception is made directly by us. No discounts or refunds are provided for early pickups from boarding or daycare stays.
What methods of payment do you accept?
We accept cash, all major credit/debit cards, Venmo, CashApp, PayPal, and AfterPay.
We do not accept Checks.
Invoicing is handled via a third party, and processing fees apply to all non-cash payments.
What are your pickup and drop-off rules?
- Holidays: Closed to the public on major holidays. Stays incur a holiday fee per dog/day, and no pickup or dropoff is permitted.
- Sundays: Closed to the public. Drop-offs are only allowed if necessary, and pickups must be pre-arranged (subject to an additional fee).
- Early/Late Arrivals: Must be arranged in advance; an extra fee applies per dog. More than 3 hours outside of regular time is charged as an extra 24-hour stay.
- Weekday Closure: No pick-ups or drop-offs are allowed during our mid-day closure window from 11:30am - 1:00pm.
Still have questions?
If you don’t see your question answered here, we’re just a message away. Call or text us at 814-547-8091, email us at downhomedogresort@gmail.com, or reach out through your Paw Partner Portal and we’ll be happy to help.
814-547-8091
merakicanines@gmail.com