Well Dog Walks Daycare - Policies, Procedures and Terms of Service
1. Introduction
Well Dog Walks Daycare provides a safe, structured and enriching daycare environment for dogs. Our facility consists of a secure indoor barn, a separate designated rest area, and a private enclosed outdoor field for exercise, socialisation and enrichment activities.
Our priority is the health, safety and welfare of all dogs in our care, while maintaining a safe environment for all our visitors.
2. Operating Hours
Opening Hours:
Monday to Friday: 8:30am – 6:00pm
Drop-Off Times:
Dogs must be dropped off between 8:30am and 9:00am.
Late arrivals may be refused entry at the discretion of management to avoid disruption to the group routine.
Collection Times:
Dogs must be collected between 5:00pm and 6:00pm.
Late Collection Charges
A charge of £5 per 30-minute period (or part thereof) will be applied for collections after 6:00pm.
Repeated late collections may result in suspension or termination of daycare services.
3. Admission Requirements
All dogs attending daycare must:
Be at least 6 months of age unless otherwise agreed.
Be fully vaccinated and provide proof of current vaccinations.
Be kept up to date with routine flea, tick and worming treatments.
Be in good general health.
Have completed a successful trial and assessment day.
Wear a secure collar or harness with identification.
Be comfortable around people and other dogs.
Neutering Policy
- All male dogs must be neutered before attending regular daycare.
- Female dogs must not attend daycare while in season.
Owners must notify the daycare immediately if a female dog enters a season cycle.
4. Trial Day Assessment
Prior to acceptance into daycare, all dogs must attend a trial day.
The trial day allows staff to assess:
Temperament
Sociability with other dogs
Response to handling
Behaviour around staff and visitors
Recall and responsiveness
Ability to settle and rest
Suitability for a group daycare environment
Successful completion of a trial day does not guarantee permanent acceptance.
The daycare reserves the right to refuse admission to any dog deemed unsuitable for group daycare.
5. Health Requirements
Owners must disclose:
Existing medical conditions
Allergies
Previous injuries
Behavioural concerns
Medication requirements
Any history of aggression or biting
Dogs showing signs of illness must not attend daycare.
Examples include:
Vomiting
Diarrhoea
Persistent coughing
Eye or nasal discharge
Contagious skin conditions
Fever
Lethargy
The daycare reserves the right to refuse entry to any dog displaying signs of illness.
6. Feeding Policy
Dogs should be fed before arriving and after returning home.
Routine meals are not provided during daycare.
Staff may provide treats for:
Reward-based training
Positive reinforcement
Enrichment activities
Owners must notify staff of any dietary restrictions or allergies.
Medication and Special Feeding
Medication administration and special feeding requirements will be considered on a case-by-case basis and must be agreed in advance.
Additional charges may apply where significant additional care is required.
7. Transportation is not currently offered by Well Dog Walks Day Care.
Owners are responsible for transporting their dogs to and from the daycare premises.
Dogs must be handed over to a member of staff at the designated arrival area and collected by their owner or an authorised person.
In exceptional circumstances, such as an emergency requiring veterinary treatment, appropriate arrangements will be made to ensure the welfare of the dog. Where possible, the owner's preferred veterinary practice will be contacted and the owner informed immediately.
Owners are required to provide accurate and up-to-date information regarding their dog's medical history, allergies, medication, behavioural issues and any other relevant welfare needs.
Dogs displaying symptoms of infectious illness should not attend daycare. Owners must notify Well Dog Walks Day Care as soon as possible if their dog develops an infectious illness.
The person responsible for Well Dog Walks Day Care will ensure that these policies and procedures are implemented and regularly reviewed.
All staff or persons assisting with the care of dogs will be made aware of the relevant procedures and their responsibilities.
8. Daily Care and Supervision
Dogs will receive:
Supervised social interaction
Access to the secure outdoor field
Access to indoor enrichment areas
Rest periods throughout the day
Fresh drinking water at all times
Mental enrichment and stimulation activities
Dogs will never be left unattended for unreasonable periods.
The welfare of every dog will be monitored continuously throughout the day.
Staff will observe dogs for:
Changes in behaviour or temperament.
Signs of stress, anxiety or distress.
Signs of illness or injury.
Excessive tiredness or exhaustion.
Changes in appetite or drinking.
Vomiting, diarrhoea or other signs of gastrointestinal illness.
Coughing, sneezing or breathing difficulties.
Lameness or difficulty moving.
Excessive heat or signs of heat stress.
Aggression or significant changes in social behaviour.
Any other unusual behaviour or physical symptoms.
Ambient temperature of both inside and outside areas
Dogs will not be expected to participate in continuous activity. Staff will monitor levels of excitement and fatigue and provide dogs with appropriate opportunities to rest away from active play.
Where a dog appears unwell, injured or distressed, they will be removed from group activity and monitored in a calm and appropriate area.
Where necessary, the owner will be contacted and asked to collect the dog. If veterinary attention is considered necessary, the owner will be contacted immediately and appropriate veterinary advice or treatment sought.
Any significant health, welfare or behavioural concern will be recorded and communicated to the owner.
9. Behaviour Management
The safety of all dogs and staff is paramount.
The daycare reserves the right to refuse or terminate care for any dog that:
Displays aggression towards people or dogs
Causes repeated disruption within the group
Cannot be safely managed
Presents a risk to staff, visitors or other dogs
Incident Procedure
If an altercation or behavioural incident occurs:
1. Dogs involved will be safely separated.
2. The dog(s) involved may be placed in an isolation area.
3. A welfare assessment will be carried out.
4. Owners will be contacted immediately.
5. Owners may be required to collect their dog without delay.
6. An incident report will be completed.
Following review, the daycare may:
Permit continued attendance
Require behavioural modification measures
Suspend attendance
Permanently withdraw daycare services
Management decisions regarding safety are final.
10. Illness During Attendance
If a dog becomes unwell during daycare:
1. The dog will be removed from the group.
2. The dog will be placed in a designated isolation area.
3. Owners will be contacted immediately.
4. Arrangements will be made for prompt collection.
The daycare reserves the right to require veterinary clearance before the dog returns.
11. Emergency Veterinary Treatment
In the event of illness, injury or emergency requiring veterinary attention:
Owners will be contacted as soon as reasonably practicable.
If immediate treatment is required and owners cannot be contacted, the daycare may seek veterinary care without prior authorisation.
Emergency Veterinary Provider:
All About Pets Veterinary Surgery
Stifford Clays, Essex
All veterinary fees, treatment costs, transport costs and associated expenses remain the responsibility of the owner.
12. Outdoor Exercise and Weather Policy
Dogs will have access to the secure outdoor field daily where conditions allow.
Exercise and enrichment may be modified during:
Extreme heat
Severe weather
High winds
Thunderstorms
Ice or snow
During adverse weather, activities may be moved indoors to maintain welfare and safety.
13. Welfare and Rest Periods
Dogs require adequate rest throughout the day.
A separate indoor rest area is provided where dogs can:
Relax
Sleep
Recover from activity
Enjoy quiet time away from group play
Staff will monitor individual dogs to ensure appropriate rest periods are taken.
14. Owner Responsibilities
Owners agree to:
Provide accurate and up-to-date information.
Notify the daycare of any health or behavioural changes.
Maintain vaccinations and parasite treatments.
Collect their dog within the agreed collection window.
Provide emergency contact details.
Inform the daycare of any infectious disease exposure.
Failure to provide accurate information may result in immediate termination of services
15. Cleaning and Hygiene
The daycare premises will be cleaned and maintained throughout each operating day.
All indoor floors and accessible surfaces will be cleaned daily using suitable animal-safe cleaning products.
All dog beds, mats, sofas and other regularly used equipment will be checked and cleaned as required.
Toys and enrichment equipment will be inspected throughout the day and removed immediately if soiled, damaged or contaminated.
Food and water areas will be kept clean and free from contamination.
Faeces and other bodily waste will be removed immediately and disposed of appropriately.
Any areas contaminated by urine, vomit or other bodily fluids will be cleaned and disinfected immediately.
Water bowls will be checked regularly throughout the day, with fresh drinking water provided whenever required.
Water bowls will be emptied, cleaned and refilled as necessary to ensure that dogs have access to clean, fresh drinking water at all times.
Waste bins will be emptied regularly and at the end of each operating day where necessary.
A comprehensive deep clean will be carried out at least once every week.
This will include:
Thorough cleaning and disinfection of all floors and hard surfaces.
Cleaning of walls, doors, gates and other accessible surfaces.
Thorough cleaning of beds, blankets and soft furnishings, where appropriate.
Cleaning and disinfection of toys and enrichment equipment.
Cleaning of food and water areas.
Cleaning of less frequently accessed areas, corners and underneath equipment.
Inspection of the premises for damage, hazards or areas requiring maintenance.
Additional deep cleaning will be undertaken whenever required, including following any suspected infectious disease or significant contamination.
16. Procedure in the Event of the Death of an Animal
Although every reasonable precaution will be taken to protect the health, safety and welfare of all dogs, Well Dog Walks Day Care recognises that the death of an animal may occur in exceptional circumstances.
In the unlikely event that a dog dies while attending daycare:
The immediate priority will be to ensure the safety and welfare of all other dogs.
The deceased dog will be removed from the other dogs and handled respectfully and with dignity.
The owner will be notified immediately.
Where appropriate, veterinary advice will be sought.
The animal's body will be stored in a dignified and secure manner in a suitable crate away from the daycare environment and other animals.
The owner will be consulted regarding their preferred arrangements for the animal.
The carcass will either be transported to the owner's nominated veterinary practice or collected by the owner, in accordance with their wishes and any veterinary advice.
Any necessary records relating to the incident will be completed and retained.
The circumstances surrounding the death will be reviewed to identify whether any further action is required to prevent a recurrence.
The privacy and dignity of the animal and owner will be respected throughout the process.
17. Escape of an Animal Procedure
The safety and security of all dogs is a priority, and reasonable measures will be taken to prevent escapes. These include secure fencing, locked gates and controlled access to the daycare areas.
In the event that a dog escapes:
The remaining dogs will be secured immediately to prevent further escapes.
Staff will attempt to establish the direction in which the escaped dog has travelled.
Reasonable attempts will be made to safely recover the dog.
Staff will not place themselves or other dogs at unnecessary risk during the recovery attempt.
The owner will be notified immediately.
The owner will be provided with relevant information regarding the circumstances and location of the escape.
Where appropriate, nearby staff, landowners or relevant authorities may be notified to assist with recovery.
Once the dog has been recovered, it will be checked for injury or signs of distress.
Veterinary attention will be sought if required.
The circumstances of the escape will be recorded and the security of the premises reviewed to identify any improvements required.
All reasonable attempts will be made to recover an escaped dog safely and as quickly as possible.
18. Liability
The policies will be reviewed regularly and updated where necessary to reflect changes to the premises, legislation, licensing requirements, equipment, staffing or operating practices.
Well Dog Walks Day Care will take all reasonable measures to safeguard the health, welfare and security of dogs in our care; however, to the extent permitted by law, Well Dog Walks Day Care accepts no liability for the escape, injury or death of a dog arising from circumstances beyond our reasonable control, provided that we have acted with reasonable care and in accordance with our policies, procedures and legal obligations.
These risks may include but are not limited to:
Minor cuts and scratches
Paw injuries
Play-related bumps and bruises
Dirty or wet coats
Minor physical contact between dogs
Exposure to naturally occurring environmental hazards
Nothing within these terms excludes or limits liability arising from:
Negligence
Gross negligence
Professional malpractice
Breach of statutory duty
Any liability which cannot legally be excluded under UK law
19. Right to Refuse Service
The daycare reserves the right to refuse admission, suspend attendance or terminate services for any dog that:
Is unwell
Is in season
Is not suitably vaccinated
Has not completed a trial assessment
Displays aggressive or dangerous behaviour
Poses a risk to staff or other dogs
Has owners who repeatedly fail to comply with daycare policies
20. Emergency Closure
In the event of circumstances beyond our control, including but not limited to:
Severe weather
Utility failure
Disease outbreak
Government restrictions
Safety concerns
The daycare reserves the right to close temporarily.
Owners will be informed as soon as reasonably practicable.
21. Emergency Procedures and Continuity of Animal Care
In the event of an emergency affecting the operation of the daycare, the immediate priority will be the safety and welfare of all dogs in our care.
Emergencies may include:
Fire.
Flooding.
Serious structural damage.
Loss of essential utilities.
Severe weather.
Serious infectious disease outbreak.
Security breach.
Any other situation that makes the daycare premises unsafe.
Where the premises become unsafe, dogs will be evacuated to the designated safe area in accordance with the daycare's emergency and fire evacuation procedures.
Where necessary, owners will be contacted and asked to collect their dogs as soon as it is safe and practical to do so.
If the daycare is unable to operate following an emergency, daycare services will be suspended until the premises are confirmed to be safe and suitable for the dogs to return.
Where an emergency requires the dogs to remain away from the daycare premises for an extended period, reasonable arrangements will be made to ensure that all animals are safely cared for until they can be returned to the daycare or collected by their owners.
The premises, equipment and procedures will be reviewed following any significant emergency before normal operations resume.
All significant incidents will be recorded, reviewed and, where appropriate, reported to the relevant authorities.
22. Fire Safety and Emergency Evacuation Procedure
The safety of all dogs, staff and visitors is of paramount importance. The daycare maintains appropriate fire detection equipment, firefighting equipment and emergency evacuation procedures in accordance with licensing requirements and risk assessments.
In the Event of Fire or Fire Alarm Activation
If a fire, suspected fire, smoke incident or fire alarm activation occurs:
1. Staff will immediately stop all activities and assess the situation.
2. All dogs will be evacuated from the building without delay using the nearest safe exit.
3. Dogs will be moved into the designated secure outdoor daycare area immediately adjacent to the building.
4. Once all dogs are accounted for, they will be relocated to the adjoining secure field and positioned at a safe distance from the building and any emergency service operations.
5. A headcount will be conducted using the daily attendance register to ensure all dogs and staff are present.
6. No person shall re-enter the building until authorised by the Fire and Rescue Service or other relevant authority.
7. Owners will be informed as soon as reasonably practicable if the incident impacts their dog's welfare, collection arrangements or daycare operations.
8. If the building cannot be safely reoccupied, arrangements will be made for dogs to remain safely contained in the secure field or be collected by their owners.
Emergency Contacts
Emergency contact details for owners and nominated emergency contacts will be readily available and accessible to staff at all times.
23. Suspension or Revocation of Animal Welfare Licence
If the animal welfare licence held by Well Dog Walks Day Care is suspended, revoked or otherwise prevents the daycare from legally operating, all daycare services will be suspended immediately.
No new daycare bookings will be accepted during the period of suspension or where the business is unable to legally operate.
Where dogs are already present at the premises at the time of a suspension, appropriate arrangements will be made to ensure their continued health, safety and welfare until they can be safely returned to their owners or alternative suitable arrangements can be made.
The licence holder will:
Follow all instructions issued by the relevant licensing authority.
Cooperate fully with the licensing authority and any other relevant authorities.
Identify and address the reason for the suspension or revocation.
Make any necessary improvements, repairs or changes to the premises or operating procedures.
Keep appropriate records of actions taken.
Only recommence daycare services when legally permitted to do so.
The welfare of the dogs will remain the primary consideration throughout any period of suspension.
24. Client Records, Data Retention and Photography
To ensure the safety and welfare of every dog in our care, Well Dog Daycare will maintain accurate and up-to-date records for each dog. These records may include the dog's registration details, owner contact information, veterinary details, vaccination records, medical conditions, behavioural notes, emergency contacts, attendance records, accident or incident reports, medication records (where applicable), and any other information necessary to provide safe care.
All client records will be stored securely and treated as confidential in accordance with applicable UK data protection legislation. Records will only be accessed by authorised staff and retained for as long as is reasonably necessary to meet legal, licensing, insurance, and business requirements before being securely disposed of.
From time to time, photographs and videos may be taken of dogs attending the daycare for welfare monitoring, record keeping, and promotional purposes, including use on our website, social media pages, and other marketing materials. By signing the client registration form, owners consent to the use of images of their dog for these purposes unless they notify Well Dog Daycare in writing that they wish to opt out. Owners may withdraw this consent at any time, although images already published cannot always be removed from third-party platforms.
25. Acceptance of Terms
By booking and attending Well Dog Walks Daycare, owners acknowledge that they have read, understood and agree to comply with these policies, procedures and terms of service.