Our Philosophy
Keeping your pets safe and healthy while in our care is a responsibility we don't take lightly. While we can't prevent all illness and injury, we can sure try. We have an assortment of precautions and policies in place for your pet's safety.
Vaccine Policy & Services
Safety Precautions & Injury Protocol
Wellness Policy and Precautions
Vaccine Policy & Services
Our easiest defense against common canine illnesses is preventative care.
Rest assured, we require any dog in our facility for any service to be up to date with Rabies, DHPP, and Bordetella vaccinations. We will happily assist you in obtaining these records by contacting your vet for you! For your convenience, you can upload records directly to your online account as well.
Expired records? We've got you covered. We are able to administer Bordetella and DHPP vaccines on-site. This service is $20 per vaccine, and does NOT include a well-check.
We offer this service as an add-on as well as standalone. Appointments are just ten minutes, and can be booked completely online!
Vaccination FAQ
I know my pet is up to date, but I am unable to provide records, can you take them anyway?
Unfortunately for the safety of our other guests, we can not accept animals into our care without proof of vaccinations.
Do you accept Titer tests in place of vaccinations?
Yes! What matters is that your pet has defense against these common illnesses.
My puppy is too young for Rabies vaccine. Can we still come?
Absolutely. Puppies are more than welcome to come play and are exempt from Rabies requirements until 16 weeks of age.
How should I provide my pet's records?
Your pets records can be uploaded directly to your account by logging in on any wifi-connected device on any browser and selecting the Vaccinations tab. A clear, readable photo, PDF, or scan of the vaccination document is compatible with our system. Once uploaded, a team member will verify your records upon check-in.
Can I email or text my pet's records?
Yes! Please have your records sent to us at least one week before your pet’s service(s) so we can ensure time to update your account for you.
Can my vet send my dog's records for me?
Yes! Your vet is welcome to send your pet’s vaccination records to RuffHouseStaff@gmail.com or fax to 801-765-7778. Please know that we often see these requests go unfulfilled as veterinary clinics are also very busy and under no obligation. It is a good idea to check your account to confirm they have been received and uploaded prior to your scheduled service.
Can you upload my records to my account for me?
We will happily assist as time allows! For everyone’s safety, during higher traffic times, a device will be provided to you to allow our team to continue serving our guests with appointments or arriving for our walk-in services while you update your account.
If you will be needing to update your account on-site, please plan to arrive 10 minutes before your scheduled appointment to do so.
7am to 9am and 4pm to 7pm are our highest-traffic hours.
I have my dog(s) vaccination records, but I’m not sure if they are expired or not. Can you help?
Yes! If you’re unsure of if your pet’s records are current, and would like a team member to review them to confirm for you, please send our front desk a text at 801-477-5031!
Why can you only accept handwritten vaccines within one year of rescuing?
Handwritten records are a bit controversial to our industry, and many daycare and boarding establishments will not accept them at all for valid reasons. Overall, it is also our policy to not accept handwritten records but in the best interest of your dog we find it in harmony with our wellness policy and ethics to allow this circumstantial exception as long as the records meet the listed requirements and can be verified.
We understand that establishing care for your newly adopted pet may take some time, and understand the hesitation to have vaccines administered again immediately following adoption.
I recently rescued my dog- what requirements do their rescue/shelter-given records need to meet?
The records MUST include the following information to meet our minimum requirements:
Itemized record of vaccinations with clearly associated administration and expiration* dates
The actual vial sticker containing the lot number for the vaccine given must be included on the record
Invoice/ certificate of adoption dated on or after the date vaccinated, and within the previous 12 months.
In the case of Rabies an official Rabies certificate, signed by the overseeing DVM
We are unable to honor expiration dates that exceed the vaccine manufacturer’s recommended use.
The rescue organization or shelter I recently adopted my dog from isn’t listed on your website- can you accept their handwritten vaccine records?
Maybe! If they have posted hours and contact information on their website and are a 501(c)(3) non-profit, and you have proof of recent adoption we are happy to take a look! Please send us a message from your online account.
I have handwritten vaccination records from a rescue, but one or more of the required elements are missing, lost, or otherwise omitted. What can I do?
Vaccination records must contain each ALL of the required information to be given a circumstantial exemption. Without all of the information listed, we are not qualified to determine the validity of the records. If your licensed veterinarian has reviewed your rescue’s vaccination history and has determined they are acceptable for their clinic to honor, you can request your pet’s health record with clearly itemized vaccination expiration dates from your vet’s records and upload this in place of the handwritten record.
We encourage all of our guests to establish care with a veterinary clinic promptly and to maintain regular wellness visits and preventative care. Should your pet’s vaccines expire in between these visits or you’re unable to secure an appointment with your clinic in time, we are happy to provide vaccine services on-site.
Why can’t you accept my home-administered or breeder-given vaccine records?
We aren’t able to verify the validity of the records or the proper handling/ storage of the product prior to administering. We have a commitment to each of our guests to maintain these standards, and you can rest assured that any canines your pup comes into contact with in our facility has provided the same information!
But Ruff House, aren’t your vaccine service records hand-written?!
We ARE able to provide low-cost vaccines on-site, as we have first-hand knowledge and record of and can verify the source, storing and handling of the product as well as administering.
Safety Measures
Temperament Screening
We require all guests to go through what we call our "interview" to ensure they are of a disposition that is safe and appropriate for open play. Not all dogs enjoy this kind of environment, and that's ok! Your pet will not be directly in contact with any knowingly aggressive or overly reactive dogs.
Our interview process consists of three parts. First, the initial 10-15 minute preliminary screening takes place while you wait. Your pet is brought to our interview room with two trained staff members. They are given a few minutes to sniff it out before only our most proven, friendly daycare pups are introduced at a safe distance. Once deemed safe, the dogs greet and at your dog's own pace in this controlled environment, a handful of other daycare pros join the group. After this initial assessment, you are free to go but we do ask that you leave your pup for 2-4 complimentary hours of daycare where their suitability and enjoyment are carefully evaluated by all present team members. About 1.5-2.5 hours after drop-off, you will receive an update on how your pet is doing, and our full assessment! You are welcome to pick up at that time or enjoy the full 4 hours on daycare on us!
Though in special cases we make exceptions, it is most ideal to schedule your pet's interview at least one week prior to boarding so if they need some brief warm-up visits, we can do that. Pets being interviewed upon drop off will still receive their full assessment in the online portal and will have to be kept traditionally boarding if deemed not suitable for open play.
Supervision and Safe 1:15 Ratios
Unlike with childcare, there are not laws in Utah to prevent businesses from unsafe staffing. We aim to keep our ratios around one person to each 15 guests participating in open-play to ensure our team is able to give proper care. There is always direct supervision of the yards, and ongoing training of team members.
Multiple Play Groups
Our facility offers 6200 sq. ft. of indoor space, and 2000 sq. ft. of outdoor play space, giving us the ability to have up to four separate supervised play groups!
Our tiniest guests, those under 20lbs, have their own space with no active, playful guests over 25lbs and no mellow, dignified seniors over 35lbs are allowed to ensure their safety.
We have three additional generous sized yards each with their own outdoor space to separate all of our medium and larger guests into play groups with compatible energy levels and play styles for their safety and enjoyment.
Ongoing Staff Training
Regular meetings, newsletters, and training clinics for staff ensure they're up to speed on managing the play groups, pet first aid, and any special accommodations our guests need to ensure their safety and enjoyment.
On-the-job training is provided for new hires, and any big changes to our policies or procedures calls for full staff orientation.
Injury Protocol
Dogs play with their mouths, paws, and claws, and full body weight. Even appropriate play can result in injuries, especially for short hair pups with a rowdy play style. Just like kids on a playground, sometimes injuries are unavoidable.
Minor injuries are treated on-site when appropriate.
If veterinary care is deemed necessary, every effort to honor clinic preferences will be made.
If your pet is injured or showing signs of illness, we honor the terms of our contract and will seek care on your pet's behalf.
Wellness Policy
We are only able to render services to pets who are in good health and free of contagious illness. Pets who are sick upon arrival will be unable to be left for any service at any time.
The stress of boarding can often present itself in decreased appetite or digestive distress. Occasionally pets develop symptoms beyond normal stress markers.
Pets who become sick while in our care are separated until pick-up can be facilitated.
If prompt pickup is not possible, pets will be transferred to veterinary care. If a contagious diagnosis is given, they will be unable to return to Ruff House until well. We are unable to knowingly house sick animals. Any balances paid exceeding services rendered at the time of care transfer are applied to the veterinary invoice.
Please disclose any pre existing conditions that your pet has that may be mistaken for illness.
Wellness Precautions
Facility Cleanliness
Kennels are deep cleaned and sanitized after each boarding guest. Our entire facility is cleaned twice daily top to bottom with a solution effective against most common canine illnesses including kennel cough, parvo, and staph.
Urine and feces are promptly cleaned up and the area sanitized.
From sanitizing walls to scrubbing the cracks in the cement, no corner is left uncleaned 365 days per year.
Four-Point Check
Each guest is given a four-point check before being introduced to the boarding suites or play groups. They are given a look-over and evaluation of eyes, nose, ears, and body.
We are looking for signs of illness, and existing injuries. Not all pets who are harboring illness will show symptoms, but if illness is suspected, we are unable to render services.
Vaccine Policy Enforcement
Aside form the few veterinarian-approved exceptions with Rabies vaccination, we enforce our vaccine policy as our promise to take every reasonable precaution to avoid illness. Current titer results are accepted in place of vaccines.
Daily Wellness Reports
Boarding guests are observed each day for any signs of illness or injury, and recorded morning and night. Any observations made or changes noticed are recorded.
Supervision & Observation
Daycare and boarding guests in our care are supervised directly. We are able to observe symptoms and promptly handle visible symptoms appropriately, with prompt separation of any guest showing any alarming symptoms.
Video Surveillance
Our facility is fit with security cameras throughout. If ever we are unsure which pup had a bout of diarrhea or vomiting, footage is reviewed, leaving nothing to question. Any overnight symptoms that developed can be given accurate timeline.