Our Policies and Details

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  We require our guests to the up-to date on the following vaccinations:

• Bordatella (required)
• Distemper/Parvo (required)
• Rabies (required)
• Canine Influenza (recommended)

It is your responsibility to provide your animal’s  vaccination records from a licensed veterinarian at enrollment and each  time your animal’s vaccines are renewed.  Vaccines that are not  administered by a veterinarian cannot be accepted because we cannot  confirm the proper dosage, storage, and administration of those  vaccines.   Vaccinations must be administered at least 14 days prior to your stay.  For the protection of your dog and all the dogs in our care, we are not able to provide entry without proof of current vaccinations.  You can ask your vet to fax the proof of vaccinations to us at 856-769-0555, email them to us at happydog@joyfulacres.net, or you can upload them to our client portal.  For puppies too young for the rabies shot, we will accept documentation from the veterinarian indicating that the dog is too young and when the shot will be recommended.

  Please let us know at check-in if your dog has any medical issues.  It is critical that you let us know if your dog eats toys, blankets, sticks or rocks so we can adjust our protocols to keep your pet safe.  In the rare event that your pet should require medical attention while in our care, every effort will be made to contact you, your veterinarian on record, and your emergency contact person for instructions. Joyful Acres, in its sole discretion, may engage the services of a local veterinarian or an emergency animal hospital for evaluation, regardless of the instructions on the pet’s profile form.  If you have questions or concerns about how we might handle an emergency situation with your pet, please call us to discuss your specific situation or talk with us at check-n.  While most dogs do not have an issue, gastrointestinal upset (usually in the form of loose stool) is common for dogs in a kennel or upon returning home.   An article about this common problem can be found at www.dogsupsetstomach.com/dog-upset-stomach-after-boarding/.  Please do let us know if your pet becomes ill after returning home, though.  We want to talk with you about it and make sure that if there is an illness that we take additional precautions to stop it from spreading.​  

 Payment in full is due when you pick up your pet.  Pets are charged for arrival day regardless of time checked in.  Pets  are charged for departure day unless they are picked up prior to 10 am. (Please note: because we are closed Sunday morning, all Sat-Sun stays will be a 2 day stay)   We accept cash, checks, and credit cards (Visa, MasterCard, Discover and American Express).  There is a 3.5% service fee applied to all  transactions.  The service fee is discounted on all cash and check payments.  There is a $35.00 service charge for returned checks.  A deposit may be  required for long term reservations or from customers who have  cancelled previous reservations without notice. From Memorial Day  through Labor Day and during major holidays (Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year's and Easter) you will be charged for your full reservation even if you pick up early.   

 Medications:
If your pet is taking any  medications, be sure to bring them in the original bottle.  This ensures  that we can provide accurate information to a veterinarian in the event  of an emergency.  It is helpful if you can provide clear written  instructions for administering your dog’s medications.  Please also bring with you anything needed to administer the medication (i.e. cheese slices, pill pockets, etc).  While we do have some strategies for getting pets to take their medication, it is helpful if you let us know how the pet is used to taking the medication willingly.  We would prefer for your pet to get his/her medication in the least stressful method possible.

Drop off and pick up must be during posted times (8-10 am and 4-6 pm Monday through Saturday and 4-6 pm on Sunday).  Time outside of these hours is  spent caring for our guests. For the comfort and security of the dogs in our care, Joyful Acres staff members are prohibited from permitting public entry outside of posted Lobby hours.  

 Note that our facility is located on our family farm, just steps from our home. Please respect our customer  hours and drive  carefully (slowly) on our property as we have children and pets at play. Please call us if your travel plans have changed and you need to make changes to your pick up day or time.  With the exception of extremely busy times, we can usually accommodate a change in pick-up day or shift.  Shortened stays may incur charges for the full reservation, as we were holding that space for your pet(s).  Our facility is closed for several hours in the middle of the day.  Being away from home can be stressful for pets, we find that the mid-day quiet time allows the dogs to rest and reduces anxiety.

Holiday Hours:
Although we have a complete staff caring for our guests every day of the year, we do observe holidays.  Our kennel is closed for arrivals and departures on the following Holidays: New Year's Day, Easter Sunday,  Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day. The kennel is open only in the morning  on Christmas Eve Day and New Year's Eve Day.  

 Please bring:

• A copy of your pet’s current vaccination record from your veterinarian.
• Your pet’s regular food (enough for his/her entire stay).   We are happy to freeze, refrigerate,  or heat your pet's food as needed. Please do not bring your dog's bowls.  Due to health regulations, we need to wash and sanitize all bowls after each use.  
• Any medications that your pet will/may require in original bottle.
• Treats (optional)  No rawhides, bully sticks or pigs ears, please.
• Bed or blanket (optional, we will provide blankets for pets without them).  Please do not send your best, pets can be more destructive in a kennel setting than they would typically be at home.  Joyful Acres is not responsible for blankets, toys or personal items that are lost or destroyed.  Please only bring beds that can be machine washed.
• Toys (optional)  We also have a selection of toys for you to choose from if you want to purchase a new toy for your pet.  Please only send toys that you know your pet can play with safely without supervision.
• New customers should bring a completed boarding agreement which can be downloaded below.

 Clients who board dogs with us that are destructive will be held liable for all damage caused to our kennel and any injury that the dog may inflict upon itself while engaging in destructive behaviors. This policy is applied to any and all destructive dogs regardless of the reason for destruction.   An aggressive dog is defined as a dog that has bitten or injured a human or another dog, and/or growls, bares teeth, lunges or snaps at a person or dog. An aggressive dog will be allowed to be boarded in our kennel, however, the owner of said dog must inform us of the potential for injury at time of reservation.   Owners and staff of Joyful Acres are well trained and are generally able to work with most dogs.  We take great pride in our ability to build trust and improve the comfort and experience of most dogs with challenging behaviors.  Our facility design allows us to safely care for some dogs who have been excluded from other kennels.  If you have concerns about whether our facility is appropriate for your pet, please call and talk with us.  Honest and direct conversation about your pets needs and challenges will best prepare us for to care for him/her or direct you to other resources/facilities that may be more appropriate.  In very rare instances, dogs that cannot be properly cared for due to their aggressive or destructive behaviors may be sent home or asked not to return.