A Day At Wakefield Kennel
We hope you understand that this is a brief outline of a typical day's routine. As with all plans concerning "pets and men" variations in each specific day will cause variation in our routines. We offer this as a
"typical day" and not a "concrete, steadfast" routine.

8:00 AM

Staff arrives shortly before 8:00 AM and opens the kennel. The General Manager will check any voice or e-mail messages while the rest of the staff begins the daily routine. If you have: left a message on our after-hours voice-mail service, or have e-mailed us, or made an "on-line" reservation this is when we check the communications hub. Occasionally, when the staff is extremely busy, you will reach our voice-mail system when attempting to call us -- for this we apologize. Please use the system and leave a message, we call back usually within minutes.

8:15 AM

All pets are immediately observed for cleanliness and demeanor. All pets and are given access to the outside areas so that they can have their morning run and "constitutional".

8:25 AM

While your pet is outside having fun and stretching its' legs, our staff is busy spot-cleaning pet's areas which might have had a "slip in house training" during the night. We call these house training accidents -- "finger painting". While we hope that they do not happen frequently, they do happen. When this occurs the "accident" is removed, and/or the area is mopped with a very mild disinfectant solution. This assures that the housing area is clean, awaiting your pet's return to its inside area.

8:30 AM

Now that all areas are freshened and cleaned, the pets are returned to the inside areas. Hmmmm breakfast time!!!!

8:40 AM

Our manager will print the schedule for all pets who are scheduled to receive a morning medication. One selected staff member is provided the computer printout of all "morning" medications required. he/she will start "medications". Each pet requiring a morning administration of medication is given the medication exactly as we have been instructed to be given by the owner at the time they registered their pet.

To assure that all meds are consumed, they are inserted into a portion of creme cheese or hot dog and given to your pet. Most pets love creme cheese, and if they do not we try the hot dogs. Usually most pets consume the medication immediately. If, per chance, the pet does not take the medication in the creme cheese or the hot dog or other appealing enticements are used to administer the medication. If all fails then the medication is hand administered Complete written records of the medication administration are kept for up to 7 days following their administration.

8:45 AM

While medications are being administered, the rest of our staff is busy thoroughly disinfecting and cleaning the outside areas. Feces are removed and disposed of. Any abnormalities in a fecal sample are brought to the manager's attention for his/her determination of course of action. Pets experiencing loose bowels or diarrhea are administered Pepto Bismol or Immodium tablets, a "pink pet report form" is submitted. If the manager feels a call to your veterinarian is necessary he/she will do so. (Please see our Dietary Changes Page for further information on this issue.)

8:50 AM

On "normal" days (if there is such a thing!), this is when we start our bathing routine. If your pet is scheduled for grooming or bathing this is when that all starts. Wakefield Kennel, Inc. makes every effort to have your pet bathed and clean at the time on the day you wish to depart. This means that we must have time to do the bath the morning before you arrive to pick up your pet. If you wish to pick up prior to 9:00 AM we will need to do the bath the day before. This may mean that your pet could soil itself during the night time hours after his bath. PLEASE advise us if you wish to pick up prior to 9 AM when you drop off your pet. Also PLEASE call us before your leave to come pick up your pet and we will make sure it is ready to depart.

9:00 AM

Now that the outside areas have been cleaned and disinfected, and medications have been administered, our staff of pet Playtime and Nature Walk attendants will start the morning Playtime and Nature Walks.

To assure that each pet receives its scheduled session, Wakefield Kennel will bring in additional staff as dictated by the number of sessions scheduled, this means that over holidays our staff of "Pet Walkers" may be 4 or more persons.

9:00-10:00 AM

Breakfast is now served!!! The rest of our staff will now begin the morning feedings. Each pet has a cage card printed which delineates his/her dietary demands. Our attendants will follow these directions during the feeding of your pet. Special diets are adhered to without exception. If a pet does not eat then it's feeding is left with him/her to be consumed at its own pace.

If you are keeping two pets together and they eat different foods please advise us and we will make every effort to separate them during their feeding session. Sometimes problems do arise if one dog eats all his/her food and the other does not. This is something we can not prevent. If this is an issue you know of with your pets and you want it to be avoided we suggest that you house your pets separately side by side.

After each section of pets has been fed the attendant puts the dogs into their outside area and observes the pets for bowel movements. Each run is cleaned as needed to help assure your pet of a continually clean environment.

10:00 - 11:00 AM

After this processes continues throughout the different sections of the kennel and all inside and outside areas are thoroughly cleaned and disinfected, all of the pets are given full access to both the inside and outside areas for the rest of the day.

During this time our staff is constantly spot cleaning each soiled run and spending time interacting with the residents. Platyime and Nature Walk sessions are continuing and the entire kennel is busy with the miscellaneous tasks of their daily routine. Our efforts are to keep each pet as clean, comfortable, and cared for as possible.

12:00 PM

This is the time of day most clients are interested in. This is our check out time (Monday - Saturday, 9 AM on Sundays). After this time you are charged another day's board for your pet. The first day you arrive you may come any time (during normal business hours) you wish. Your are charged for the full day of your arrival regardless of the time of arrival. On the day you depart you are not charged for that day until the check out time. Please see our pages regarding rates for detailed information on our pricing and rate related policies.

12:30 - 2:00 PM

This is the time that our staff takes their lunch break. The facilities are closed during this time so that or staff may travel to and from the place of choice for lunch. On Wednesdays and Saturdays this is the time we close for the day. During the busy summer months (Memorial Day through Labor Day) our hours may change and be extended on Wednesdays. Please check our page regarding hours for detailed information on our schedule of operation.

2:00 PM

Our afternoon activities include the afternoon and evening Nature Walks and Playtimes. Afternoon feeding are scheduled after this time. We like to provide the pets with ample time to "relieve themselves" after the evening feedings. With this in mind, "evening feedings" are administered after 2:00 PM.

If your pet is on medications in the afternoon, they are given according to what ever routine you have advised us. Generally all medications are finished no later than 5:30 PM so that if any problems arise from administration they can be resolved prior to our closing of the offices.

5:00 - 5:30 PM

Preparations are now started for the closure of the kennel. All pets are again checked to assure that all their daily requirements have been met. Bedding materials are checked for each pet's needs. "Late" medications and feeding are now administered (if required). PM "treats" are given and in general we are now "winding down" the facilities activities. On day's which we are closed in the afternoons (Wednesday & Saturdays) an attendant will return at this time to take care of the daily closing. Because such attendants are not all fully skilled in the administrative procedures of check out -- no departures are available on the afternoon's of days we are closed in the afternoon unless you have made prior arrangements with our management. Please see our page regarding "after hours policies" for detailed information. All arrivals for the day should be checked into our facilities no later that this time so that we have adequate time for admission paperwork and for time to make sure your pet is properly situated for his/her stay.

5:30 PM

The kennel closes for the day (by Albemarle County Zoning Regulations we are not allowed to have pets outside after 10 PM). If you have arranged for an "After Hours Pickup" an attendant will meet you at the appointed time. Please remember that there is a fee of $25.00 for this service and it is not available on Holidays or Sundays. Also please remember that our staff works long hours and they like to depart on time just as your do after a full day's work. If you call at the last minute asking for our staff to "wait just a little while after 5:30 PM...I'm on my way" that you are asking more than just a little favor. Remember that this can happen more frequently than "now and then" to our staff members. Because of this we have a policy of waiting no more that 10 minutes for free. After ten (10) minutes you will be charged the After Hours Fee. Please try to understand that we try to be fair and courteous, all we ask is that you remember that our staff has a set work schedule just like you and to ask them to stay late and wait may be causing a problem or conflict with their normally scheduled after hours needs.

We hope you understand that this is a brief outline of a typical day's routine. As with all plans concerning "pets and men" variations in each specific day will cause variation in our routines. We offer this as a "typical day" and not a "concrete, steadfast" routine. If you have any questions or comments on our daily routine please feel free to call us at 973-5171 for clarification or to simply ask additional questions. If you would like, you may E-mail us at info@wakefieldkennel.com with your questions.

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