FAQs

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Call (773) 868-4001 or Click Below to Get Started

We’ve gathered the most common inquiries about Dogs Day Inn, offering you quick, clear answers to 
ensure the best experience for you and your furry friend.

From facility tours to dog daycare specifics, we’ve got your questions covered!

General

Can I do a walk-through/tour of your facility?

Yes, but we do require that you create a Petexec account, including your dog’s information and vaccination records, so we can ensure that your dog is up to date on all city and state requirements. We schedule walk-throughs/tours of the facility. Please call us at (773) 868-4001 to schedule your tour.

I just want to do the walkthrough of your facility without my dog, do I still need to create an account?

Yes, we do our scheduling through Petexec and in order to get you scheduled for a walkthrough we need an account set up with vaccination/fecal records on file.  We want to make sure that your dog is up-to-date on all require vaccination to help minimize the spread the of any communicable diseases and keep our current guests as safe as possible.

How long will the walk-through/tour take?

Most take only about 10-15 minutes, but we will spend as much time with you as needed to answer any questions you may have about Dogs Day Inn and the services we provide!

Do I need to do a walk-through/tour?

No walk-throughs/tours are not mandatory, but we want all parents/guardians to feel comfortable with where their dogs will be playing and staying.

What forms of payment do you take?

We accept all major credit cards. We no longer keep cash on hand so if you decide to pay with cash, your account will be credited any excess amount paid.

Do you have a yard area?

Yes, we have a large yard where dogs can get some fresh air and stretch their legs!

How frequently are dogs allowed outside?

Starting at 8 am and until 8 pm, dogs are taken outside every few hours, weather permitting.

Can I still bring my dog if he/she has expired vaccinations or fecal tests?

Unfortunately, we will not be able to accept your dog if any vaccinations or fecal tests have expired according to our records. Under Illinois State Laws and Chicago City Ordinances, we must have proof that every dog in our care is up to date. Not only is this a legal issue, but also a health and safety issue for both dogs and staff.

We also ask that every client keep their primary email up to date in their PETEXEC account, as the system will send out a 30-day reminder notice of what is expiring. As a courtesy, we also send out emails notifying clients that vaccinations/fecal tests have expired at the beginning of each month.

I do not have a collar for my dog, do I need one?

As of 08/01/24 we remove collars during daycare playtime for safety reason, but we do recommend that you have a collar with your dog’s name, your number and rabies tag, and we will put it back on them when picked up.

What if I am running late? Can I still pick up my dog from daycare?

Yes, but we require that you call us before 7 pm Monday through Friday and before 5 pm on weekends to notify us that you are running late and still coming for your dog. You are then able to pick up until 7:15 pm Monday through Friday and 5:15 pm on Saturday and Sunday, but there will be a late fee assessed.

My dog takes medication, are you able to administer it?

Please contact us, as we only do medication on a case-by-case basis.

Dog Daycare

What are your daycare hours?

Our hours are Monday through Friday, 7 am to 11 am and 2 pm – 7 pm, Saturday 9 am to 11 am and 2 pm to 5 pm, and Sunday 10 am to 12 pm and 2 pm to 5 pm. 

Do you charge for your discovery day?

Yes, we now charge for the discovery day a nominal fee. Please contact us for the current fee.

What if I show up and do not have a reservation?

While we do not currently require reservation, we strongly recommend having one to guarantee a daycare spot.

Do I have to do the discovery day? My dog has done cageless daycare before.

Yes, we still require the discovery day as every facility is set up differently. At times, we also require more than one discovery day to make sure your dog feels comfortable in our care.

When can I do the discovery day?

Discovery day visits are by appointment, Monday through Friday, and require dogs to be dropped off at 6:30 am.

What if I show up for the discovery day after 6:45 am?

Unfortunately, we will be unable to accept your dog that day. You will be required to reschedule the discovery day, as the goal is to give your dog a chance to acclimate to the facility and staff before our other daycare dogs start to arrive. This way they ease into the day and are not overwhelmed.

What time do I need to drop my dog off for daycare?

You can drop off when it is convenient for you during our normal business hours after your dog has passed his/her initial discovery day.

Are you able to feed my dog lunch?

Yes. Bring your dog’s lunch meal inside a resealable container and we will try to feed them at lunchtime. Any food not eaten will be returned so you can monitor your dog’s food intake.

How long are daycare packages valid for after purchase?

Starting January 2, 2025, all packages will have a 90-day expiration date from the date of purchase.

Dog Boarding

Can I visit your facility?

Yes, just set up a Petexec account with you and your dog’s information and upload their vaccination record so we can get them in the system for a walk through of the facility.

What are the drop-off times for boarding?

Starting January 2, 2025, we will require all dogs to be dropped off before 11am. Pick-up times are still during our normal business hours, but keep in mind that we do charge an hourly daycare rate when not picked-up at the original dropped-off time.

What time do I need to pick up my dog?

We are open to accommodate all pickups during normal business hours. However, to avoid incurring additional daycare charges, you should aim to pick up your dog by the original time your dog was dropped off at the latest.

What do I need to bring with me for boarding?

All we need is your dog and their food. Food must be pre-bagged into individual meals to avoid any non-bagged charges. If necessary, any medications and any special feeder bowls should also be packed.

Can I bring beds, toys, or a blanket?

We do not recommend bringing anything other than your dog, their food, and any medications. We will provide these items to prevent your personal belongings from becoming lost or damaged.

Do I need a reservation for boarding?

Reservations are encouraged for all boarding, and are required over major holidays. For holiday boarding, we require a 50% non-refundable deposit of the boarding stay to be collected around 30 days before the Holiday date.

I am looking to start boarding immediately, can you take my dog?

We do require all new dogs do at least 2 daycare days, in addition to the discovery day, to get the comfortable in our environment and with our staff.  Please contact us for more information on last minute boarding to see if we can help you.

What happens if my dog becomes ill during their stay?

Their health and safety are our priority, and we will take them to their vet or the emergency vet A.S.A.P. We will also try to contact you and/or your emergency contact immediately, as well.

Do you charge more for holidays boarding?

Yes, the following dates will incur an additional upcharge of $10.00 in addition to our standard rate:  April 18 – 20, May 23 – 26, July 2- 6, Aug 29 – Sept 1, Nov 26 – 30, and Dec 22 – Jan 4 2026

Do you require a deposit for boarding?

As of January 2, 2025, we do require a non-refundable holidays deposit of 50% of the boarding stay and the remainder upon drop-off.  Holiday deposit will be collected around 30 days before the holiday date.  Any cancelations made before the holiday deposit collected will not be charged.

Illness

Below is some information on Giardia. Please read this article from the AKC
and speak with your veterinarian to learn more about this infectious parasite.

What is Giardia?

It is a single-celled parasite that lives inside the intestines of mammals and other animals.

How does it spread?

Dogs must ingest the contaminated items (items contacted by fecal matter) for the parasite to take hold.

Is it communicable?

YES! It is highly contagious. You should keep your dog away from other dogs. Please speak with your vet about how to help prevent the spread of giardia.