Can I board my pet with their favorite toys, and are there any restrictions?

Yes, in most cases, you are encouraged to bring your pet's favorite toys when they come to stay with us. Familiar items from home provide significant comfort and can help ease the transition into a boarding environment by reducing stress and anxiety. However, to ensure the absolute safety and well-being of every animal in our care, we must enforce certain common-sense restrictions on what items are permitted.

Why Bringing Toys is Beneficial

Studies on animal behavior consistently show that environmental enrichment is crucial for a pet's mental health, especially in a novel setting. A beloved toy serves as a source of security, provides mental stimulation, and can help maintain a sense of routine. For dogs, certain toys can satisfy natural chewing instincts in a positive way, while for cats, a familiar toy can encourage play and exploration in their suite.

Common Restrictions for Safety

While we welcome personal items, our primary duty is your pet's safety. The following restrictions are standard across professional boarding facilities and are based on industry best practices to prevent choking hazards, intestinal blockages, and injuries.

No Small, Easily Destroyed, or Stuffed Toys: Toys with small parts, squeakers that can be removed, or plush toys that can be torn apart pose a serious ingestion risk. If swallowed, stuffing or pieces can cause life-threatening obstructions requiring emergency surgery.
No Hard, Brittle, or Edible Chews: Antlers, hard nylon bones, rawhide, and pig ears can splinter, crack teeth, or become choking hazards. We provide approved, durable chew alternatives that are monitored during use.
No Toys with Strings, Ribbons, or Long Cords: These are particularly dangerous for cats, as they can lead to entanglement or intestinal strangulation if ingested.
No Valuable or Irreplaceable Items: While we take meticulous care of your pet's belongings, accidents can happen. We cannot be responsible for the loss or damage of a cherished, one-of-a-kind toy.

What to Pack Instead

We recommend selecting a few robust, interactive toys that are in line with our safety policy. Ideal choices include:

Kong-type rubber toys that can be stuffed with treats.
Durable rubber balls too large to be swallowed.
Sturdy rope toys (under supervision).
For cats: sturdy wand toys or robust rubber balls.

Always label all items with your pet's name using a permanent marker. The best practice is to discuss the specific toys you plan to bring with our staff during drop-off. We will conduct a quick safety check and can advise if an item is suitable for unsupervised play in your pet's private suite or if it should be reserved for supervised interaction with our team.

Our goal is to create a home-away-from-home experience that is both comforting and completely secure. By partnering with us and following these guidelines, you help ensure your pet's stay is happy, engaging, and safe.