Frequently asked questions 
 
 
 
 
 
What are your hours of business? Monday - Friday: 8AM to 1PM Saturday: 9AM to 1PM Sunday: 1PM to 5PM. The kennel office is closed on Holidays. What are your requirements for boarding a dog? For the best foundation experience, puppies should be seven (7) months or older for their first boarding. Senior dogs need to be ambulatory to allow them to get to water and elimination areas unassisted. Dogs must be spayed or neutered and current on distemper/parvo, rabies and bordetella (kennel cough) vaccinations. There is a seven (7) day wait minimum after any needed vaccines are given. All dogs must wear topical barrier protection against fleas & ticks. We recommend “FrontLine” for its relative low toxicity, versus products containing Permethrin. We do not board insulin dependent diabetic dogs or dogs requiring medical monitoring. Post surgical dogs are boarded on a case by case basis and only with the full approval of the attending Veterinarian. What are your boarding rates? Boarding is $27.00 per night, per dog. “Special Care” Boarders (see below) are $30 per night. Daily exercise (within our grassed, 3,800 square foot, fully fenced yard) is $5.00 per day. However, this charge is inclusive when multiple boarders from the same family are exercised together. What forms of payment do you accept? We take MasterCard, Visa, Discover, American Express, checks and cash. What is a “Special Care” Boarder? A Special Care Boarder is a dog who requires special care or treatment over and beyond the usual boarding care and feeding.  Other than pertaining to a medical condition, this would include (but not limited to) a dog who requires any or combination of the following:  1) Food from home must be specially prepared, heated or cooked.  2) The measuring or mixing of food(s) and/or medications.  3) Someone must watch or supervise the dog(s) during meals. 4) The application of topical medication (eye drops, ear drops, salves, etc.). Does boarding include feed or do I have to bring food from home? We proudly serve Canidae brand dog food. We do not charge for serving your kibble or canned food from home, however any mixing or additional preparation of your food may upgrade your dog to a “Special Care” Boarder as explained above.  Please mark all containers with your dog’s first and last names, and provide written feeding instructions. When may I tour the kennel? Tours are conducted during regular business hours: Monday-Friday 8AM to 1PM, Saturday 9AM to 1PM and Sunday 1PM to 5PM. The kennel office is closed on Holidays. We strive to provide a low stress environment for our canine guests and would prefer you to make an appointment so we can limit the number of tours in a given day. Tours break the routine and some dogs think they might be going home or take on the role of defending the kennel from intruders. Unlike a shelter or zoo, guests in our care already have loving families, and are not here for entertainment purposes. Our responsibility is to their Owners and to the well being of each dog. Should I bring my dog with me when I tour the kennel? Please DO NOT bring your dog(s) along for the tour. The tour is a time for you to find us, meet us, and view the facilities. Is there an extra charge for dispensing medications? If the medications are pills or tablets simply added to the feed, no.  If the medications require specific handling or mixing, then the dog may be considered a “Special Care Boarder” and subject to the $30.00 per night charge as opposed to the standard $27.00 per night rate. What toys can my dog have in the kennel? Dogs chew to relieve stress. We restrict toys by their size and safety potential.  Small toys will not only clog our drains, they can also become a choking or intestinal hazard. Medium sized Kong Toys and Rope Chews are the best.  Dogs love them, they are much less likely to find their way into our drains and they help clean teeth and strengthen gums.  Rawhide and other organic chews are less of an issue because they break down with water.  Tennis balls are only allowed in the turnouts and exercise field, never in the kennel as they all too often roll into and clog our drains. The fact is, a cherished doll or toy the dog has had at home for years may not last the night in the kennel.  So if the dog's having “their special toy” is more important to you than the dog, best leave it home. What can I do so my dog won't miss me while I’m away? Scent is the biggest part of a dog's world.  The best thing is to sleep in an old t-shirt (or two) and tie it into a knot.  It will get chewed, ripped and dragged inside and out.  But even if it needs to be hosed off, it will still retain your scent. Can my dog have a bed in his kennel? You may bring your dog's bed from home, but just like the aforementioned toys... it too may not last the night! We have excellent Lamb's Wool, chew resistant beds supplied on request and at no extra charge.  All too often dogs will drag their bedding outside, so some folks bring (expendable) old beach towels or a single layer blanket that easily launders. There are only a few beds we absolutely restrict due to what's inside them, a "bean bag" chair/bed, down (feather) filled sleeping bags and down filled comforters are perfect examples.  Many warehouse and chain store beds advertised as "Cedar Filled" are really made with spun recycled pop bottle fibers and a hand full or so of wood shaving mixed in.  When such beds come undone and the fibers expand, they not only make a huge mess, removing the fibers from our drains can be very expensive.  Also, the zippers are always the first to go and can present a choking or intestinal hazard if swallowed.  Beds that are sewn shut or use velcro closures are safer, but are just as likely to get shredded.  The latest thing is the (so-called) chew resistant "Ballistic Nylon" dog beds.  FYI... I know a Police Officer who came home from dinner out with his wife to find his six month old Labrador puppy had chewed a sizable chunk out of his Kevlar bullet proof vest!  So, if your dog has a custom monogrammed Ducks Unlimited special edition bed from Cabella's...  Given the odds, you may want to reconsider leaving it at home and taking advantage of our (supplied free on request) Lamb’s Wool beds. Also available for purchase. Why does your contract include a Power of Attorney? People on vacation are hard to contact. And even while under the most diligent care, things can go wrong. Bloat for example is a condition that can hit out of the blue and requires immediate attention. The Power of Attorney allows us to authorize care and make what might be life saving decisions in your stead. Why does your contract ask for both a driver’s license and social security number? Both are for positive identification along with ongoing check and credit card acceptance. The social security number is voluntary, but if it makes you uncomfortable, the last four numbers will do. However, the driver’s license is required. This information is not transferred to our computers and the hard copies are kept in a secure location. Why don’t you have a sign or marker that would make you easier to find? Unfortunately, the City of Redlands sign code is very strict and there is a conflict with our zoning. Please click on the “DIRECTIONS” link at the top of the page. We respectfully suggest printing them out and bringing them along if you are unfamiliar with the area. Copyright Sunset Hills Kennels 2008 - 2015http://www.canidae.com/shapeimage_2_link_0