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Frequently Asked Questions
Below are some commonly asked questions about At Play with Sparky. If you have one
you don't see listed here, please feel free to email us at any time!
What makes At Play with Sparky special is our unique approach to each dog's stay here. The entire group of dogs for any given day are allowed to play and hang out together. We have "play appropriate" play groups - typically a large dog/active group and smaller dog/less active group. We also accommodate dogs with special needs - like senior dogs and puppy socialization. We are very observant of behaviors and we will separate any dogs that are not playing properly or do not feel comfortable in that environment (i.e., shy, small, young, geriatric) and put them with equal peers or love them separately. Any dog we deem to be aggressive or dogs that do not become comfortable with our environment will be asked to not return. Our objective is to give dogs a fun, safe place to stay while their owners are away. The dogs have the choice of playing in our indoor area or outside in a large fenced yard. We have many toys for them to play on or with and an ample supply of fresh water all day long.
We require advanced reservations for boarding so that we may plan for space and staff accordingly. However, we can take last-minute requests if we have room and your dog meets all the requirements. For the major holidays, we fill to capacity months in advance. We may require a 10% nonrefundable deposit for boarding during Thanksgiving and Christmas.
We do not currently require reservations for daycare, however bringing your dogs on consistent days does allow them to form social bonds with other dogs.
Acceptance for boarding or daycare is accomplished through a brief discussion of your dog's temperament and physical needs and we offer a free two hour trial period where we can determine your dog's comfort level in our environment. In some cases where the pet is very shy, fearful or has never boarded before, we strongly suggest the dog stay for periods
of daycare or overnights prior to their longer planned stay with us. These shorter visits have a positive effect on the dog's comfort level and help reduce separation anxiety and stress. These steps help ensure that your dog’s stay will be a successful one. We have had many dogs become socialized and more outgoing and confident from attending At Play with Sparky.
We accept cash, check, Visa, Mastercard, and Discover.
We encourage boarded dog owners to bring their dog’s own familiar belongings, however we have everything for your dog if you choose not to do so. Please keep in mind that we are not responsible for the condition of toys or bedding that you bring (ie. toys get chewed, beds get dirty, etc.). We encourage you to bring food for your dog, because a consistent diet is important to their health. We do have food available, however, for an additional charge if needed. Daycare dogs will not be fed (except for "Scooby snacks") unless provided by the owner. Fresh water is always available. We prefer to use our own stainless steel bowls. Identifying your dogs’ belongings is greatly appreciated.
We use a hospital-grade, disinfectant and deodorizer cleaner called MISTY Biodet. The entire indoor play area is mopped with the cleaner, which kills most bacteria and viruses. We immediately remove waste from the play areas and mop up accidents throughout the day. We also hose down the outside area regularly with a disinfectant called Wishywash.
For minor cuts, scrapes and abrasions, we normally apply warm compresses and use an antibacterial ointment. If possible and prudent, we will try to contact you before incurring any veterinary bills. We will contact you (or your emergency contact) immediately in case of emergency and allow you to help in the decision-making process. If your vet is nearby, we will take your dog there for treatment. When your vet cannot be utilized, we have a close relationship with Dr. Doulas Elledge at Redwood Animal Hospital. We will either consult with him or take the dog in for treatment. If they are not available, we will call Reach Animal Hospital.
Absolutely. We have overhead gas forced-air heating and fans in the summer.
We have large indoor and outdoor areas for your dog to play in. Outside, we have ample shade provided by a large shelter area and we provide a doggie pool to cool-off in during the summer. When it rains, snows, or gets too hot or cold, our guests have access to our large indoor area in our climate-controlled building.
Depending on your dog’s activity level he/she may get dirty while playing at Sparky's. While the indoor facility is cleaned daily and the outdoor area has no loose dirt, the pea gravel does cause dust when the dogs are running around. At times, doggie wrestling may leave what we fondly call ‘dog slime’ on a dogs’ fur. We offer a bath and brush service so you can pick your dog up clean and soft. Baths run from $15-$25, depending on the size of dog and the length of fur. Please let us know when you drop off your dog that you would like a bath, so that we can allow for enough time.
If your dog is not used to much activity or exercise during the daytime hours, he may be quite tired and/or cranky for a day or two after his first few visits to At Play with Sparky. His muscles and/or joints may be a little sore, just like a person who overdoes a workout after a long period of inactivity. Exercise is one of the benefits of doggie daycare, so you will notice that the soreness is only temporary. In addition, watch for soreness on his toe pads - dogs who are used to only smooth or carpeted flooring may need to develop a “toughening” of the toe pads when new to playing on the cement flooring and outdoor areas.
We are licensed by the North Carolina Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services. Our facility is inspected annually.
At Play with Sparky™
542 Short McDowell St Asheville, NC 28803
828-254-5772 atplaywithsparky@bellsouth.net
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