• Dog must be with current owners for a minimum of 4 weeks prior to DDC orientation.
  Dogs that are new to owners are often still settling in, getting comfortable, learning the do's and don'ts of their new home life. Ownership of at least 4 weeks prior to attending DDC has shown increased success and happiness with reduced anxiety.
• Bordetella, Rabies, and Distemper vaccines must be up to date
• Must be neutered by 6 months of age
• Must not show any signs of aggression towards people or animals
• We must be able to handle by collar or leash
• Must be on an over-the-counter flea/tick preventative medication. We recommend Frontline

If your dog is experiencing any of the following symptoms please keep your dog home from daycare until they are feeling better; coughing, sneezing, lethargic, lose of appetite, loose stools or any other unusual behavior for your dog.

• Collar (no choke/pinch or spiked collars, please)
• No lights, jewelry, or trinkets on the collar
• A meal if your dog needs to eat during the day
• DO NOT BRING blankets or toys - we have plenty here!

• We recommend that your dog comes at least once a week to get used to the environment and to be appropriately socialized

Although we do not have a required minimum incubation period between the time vaccines are given and the beginning of your reservation, we strongly recommend getting any vaccines done at least 10–14 days prior to arrival at our facility. This gives the vaccine time to reach its full effectiveness to protect against illness.

Rabies

A deadly disease caused by a virus that attacks the nervous system, usually spread by a bite from a rabid animal. Rabies vaccination is required by law (for dogs 16 weeks or older) the safety of our employees and other animals staying at Stone Mountain Pet Lodge.

Bordetella (Tracheobronchitis)

A bacterial infection typically caused by Bordetella bronchiseptica and two viruses called Parainfluenza virus and Adenovirus. The airborne organisms are inhaled by a susceptible dog and attach to the lining of the trachea and upper airway passages. Due to the airborne nature of this disease, neighboring dogs boarded at Stone Mountain Pet Lodge are susceptible to the disease. Also known as Canine Cough or Kennel Cough. "Let's Talk About Canine Cough" Article by Pet Care Services (836 KB)

Please note that many veterinarians administer Bordetella only upon request.

DHPP (Distemper, Hepatitis, Parainfluenza, Parvo)

A highly contagious disease caused by a virus that attacks the respiratory, gastrointestinal, and nervous systems of dogs, usually spread through airborne exposure to the virus contained in respiratory secretions of an infected dog. Due to the airborne nature of this disease, neighboring dogs boarded at Stone Mountain Pet Lodge are susceptible to the disease. Also known as Canine Distemper.

By Facility Design

All of the concrete surfaces that your pets may come in contact with are sealed with a three part epoxy coating filling the pores of the concrete, which makes it difficult for bacteria to grow, and also makes it easy for us to clean and disinfect.

Bordetella and other illnesses are thought to result from airborne bacteria that is transmitted from dog to dog. Stone Mountain Pet Lodgehas four independent air handling systems to isolate the groups of pets within our lodging wings and eleven independent air handling systems throughout the entire facility. This isolates the groups of pets from each other.

Stone Mountain Pet Lodge’s ERV (energy recovery ventilator) systems bring in outside air that is warmed or cooled and distributes the air throughout the suites for a fresh and comfortable stay for your pet. This reduces the sharing of recycled air from pet to pet. Stone Mountain has in–floor heat in the suite areas that keeps the floor a nice 70 degrees so everyone stays nice and warm in the cold months. Floors dry completely and quickly when washed. This reduces the moist surfaces that bacteria like to grow on.

By Practice

Stone Mountain Pet Lodge requires Rabies, Distemper and Bordetella vaccinations on the best advice of the veterinary profession.

Stone Mountain Pet Lodge does not accept or allow association with the other pets, any pets that have any observable symptoms of Bordetella or any other illness.

Stone Mountain Pet Lodge’s cleaning and sanitizing is done daily and spot cleaning done hourly throughout the day. Tour us anytime we are open and satisfy yourself that the suites are clean. Suites are cleaned after each stay and rotated so they can “rest” in a clean state. Suite wings are rotated so complete “deep cleaning” can be done regularly. This means that your pet will normally stay in a clean, rested suite. The number of days “rested” may be a week or more but at times of peak occupancy may be less than a day.

In Spite of our Best Efforts

In spite of our best efforts, your pet may contract an illness before, during or after their stay at Stone Mountain Pet Lodge. We cannot guarantee your pet's health. Vaccinations sometimes fail to provide protection from illness. Putting your pet in any setting that puts them in the proximity of one or more potentially contagious dogs and the stress that results from a new experience can result in your pet contracting an illness. More frequent visits to Stone Mountain may increase your pet’s natural immunity and decrease your pet’s susceptibility to common illnesses.

Stone Mountain Pet Lodge will engage the services of a veterinarian (yours when possible) to treat your pet whenever reasonably deemed necessary, and will bill you for any veterinarian fees.

Stone Mountain Pet Lodge shall not be liable for sickness or injury contracted or suffered while you’re pet is boarded at this facility.