Dog Boarding Health & Safety Requirements

🐾 Best Friends Dog School Health & Safety Guidelines

Caring for every guest with safety, comfort, and compassion

At Best Friends Dog School, we take health, safety, and well-being seriously across everything we do — from dog boarding and daycare to training and grooming.
These health & safety guidelines outline how we ensure each dog in our care enjoys a secure, clean, and nurturing environment while keeping pet parents fully informed and confident.

Whether your dog visits us for a day of play, a longer holiday stay, or training sessions, our goal is always the same — to provide professional care that feels like home.

💉 Vaccination Requirements

To keep our community of dogs healthy, all visitors must be up to date with vaccinations.

Mandatory: 5-in-1, Rabies, and Kennel Cough.
Recommended: Leptospirosis (Lepto).
New vaccinations must be completed at least 10 days before visiting.
Vaccines must be administered by a registered veterinarian (self-administered vaccines cannot be accepted).
Annual boosters are required — please check expiry dates before booking.
For senior dogs with full vaccination histories, only Rabies and Kennel Cough are required annually.

🦴 Parasite Control

All dogs must arrive free of ticks, fleas, and worms.
Proof of recent deworming (within 3 months) is required.

If proof isn’t provided, deworming will be done on arrival and added to your invoice at a reduced rate.
We ask all pet parents to ensure tick and flea prevention is up to date before check-in.

⚕️ Medical Conditions & Emergencies

Please bring all medication clearly labelled with dosage and timing.
We can administer oral or topical medications as directed.
Dogs recovering from surgery or illness must have vet clearance before boarding or daycare.
In the case of illness or injury, if we can’t reach you, we’ll seek veterinary care from our on-call vet and act in your dog’s best interest.
All veterinary costs are for the owner’s account.

We always put your dog’s well-being first and document any incidents in your client’s record.

🌩️ Thunderstorm Policy

Pretoria’s summer storms can be intense, and we have clear protocols to keep dogs calm and safe.

During thunder, all dogs are kept indoors in their assigned accommodation or daycare areas.
We use gentle handling, soft music, and familiar comforts to reduce anxiety.
If your dog is known to be storm-sensitive, please bring the same provisions you use at home — such as Thundershirts, calming supplements, or prescribed medication.
If your dog’s reaction is severe, please provide vet-prescribed medication or instructions with your booking.
In extreme cases where a dog may injure themselves, we will seek immediate veterinary assistance.

Most dogs have a known storm history — sharing this with us helps us provide the right support.

☀️ Heatwave Policy

South African summers can be hot, but our facilities are designed to keep dogs cool, hydrated, and comfortable.

During heatwaves:

Dogs remain in shaded or indoor areas — no strenuous walks or playtime during peak heat hours.
Fresh, cool water and dog-safe ice lollies are offered throughout the day.
Smaller breeds in Little Village enjoy air-conditioned comfort.
Our kennels are fully tiled, feature heat-reflective paint and polycarbonate roofing, and have paddle pools for safe cooling.
Staff monitor all dogs closely for signs of heat stress and adjust routines as needed.

Your dog’s safety always comes before exercise or activity during high temperatures.

🧼 Hygiene & Cleanliness

Kennels and play areas are disinfected daily using veterinary-grade products.
Each guest receives clean bowls and fresh water daily.
Waste areas are sanitised multiple times per day.
Our high hygiene standards help prevent illness and ensure a safe environment for every dog and human visitor.

👩‍⚕️ Staff & Supervision

Our trained team follows structured routines to ensure constant supervision, safety, and enrichment.
All staff members are trained in Best Friends Dog School company SOPs, dog behaviour, hygiene, emergency care, and low-stress handling techniques.

📞 Questions or Concerns?

If you have any concerns about your dog’s health, temperament, or special needs, please contact us before booking.
We’ll always take the time to discuss your dog’s comfort and care plan.