Winter Park Paws Dog Daycare & Suites℠ FAQ
What are your office hours & what times do you provide services?
Office Hours: 8:00 Am- 5:30 pm Monday through Friday
Office Closures: Weekends & Major Marked Holidays
Dog Daycare hours of operation:
Monday-Saturday, 6:30 am-7 pm.
Check-in 8 am-10 am.
Early check-in is 6:30 am-8 am for a $15 fee.
Check-out 4 pm-6:30 pm
Uninterrupted Nap Time 12 pm - 3 pm
Late check-out is 6:30-7:30 pm, with a $15 fee.
No daycare on major Holidays.
Dog Boarding hours of operation:
Seven days per week, 24 hours per day, 6:30 am-7 pm
Check-in 8 am-10 am.
Early check-in is 6:30 am-8 am for a $15 fee.
Check-out 4 pm-6:30 pm
Late check-out is 6:30-7:30 pm, with a $15 fee.
Check-out is unavailable after 7:30 pm. Next-day pick-up is required.
Boarding check-in or check-out is unavailable on major marked holidays (New Year's Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day). Check-in or check-out must be the day before or after the holiday.
Are you licensed, bonded, and Insured? Yes. We are licensed in Seminole County and Orange County. We carry commercial liability insurance and animal bailee coverage, and we are bonded. We also get inspected yearly by the county and hold a standard of care certificate with Seminole County.
Do you allow full facility tours? Our insurance does not allow us to offer tours for liability reasons. You are welcome to see our facility tour here, visit us in person in our lobby to get a feel for us, or see up-to-date pictures of the facility, which are available on our website and Google.
How far in advance should I book services?
We strongly recommend booking daycare service 1-2 weeks in advance.
We strongly recommend boarding care 3-4 weeks in advance.
Do you offer service on weekends or holidays?
Yes! We perform service on weekends and holidays.
Please note that our office is closed on the weekends & major marked holidays.
Weekend and Holiday care is subject to availability.
Do you require payment before or after my service is over? Yes, we require full payment for ALL services before the first day of service.
What is the payment policy? Please see our payment polices here
What is the cancellation policy? Please see our cancellation polices here.
Do you charge a fee for late payments? Yes, a late charge of $10 may be added to any outstanding balance.
Do you charge holiday fees? No, we do not charge surcharge fees. Become a daycare member for FREE and save on boarding year-round!
How is the payment method accepted? As the preferred payment method, we accept MasterCard, Visa, Discover, and AMEX via our secure software, which processes secure payments via a client portal. Auto-pay is required. Your credit card will be charged before your check-in date. A valid card is required to be kept on file.
Do you require my pet to be spayed/neutered to join dog daycare or boarding?
Your pet must be spayed or neutered by 12 months of age to attend our daycare and boarding services. Proof is required.
Intact females under 12 months of age may not attend daycare while in a heat cycle and need vet clearance to treat or return. There are no exceptions.
Intact males under 12 months of age who show behavioral issues (mounting, excessive sniffing of dogs, or marking) will be asked to return post-neuter.
Do you require my pet to be vaccinated to receive service? All pets must have current core vaccinations while under our care. Proof must be obtained on your client profile.
What is required for my dog to attend dog daycare & boarding?
Up-to-date vaccinations required:
> Rabies
> Bordetella (strongly recommend 3-way intranasal)
> Distemper (DHPP)
> Canine influenza Bivalent is strongly recommended
Health/Preventive Care Requirements:
> Negative fecal results for parasites (yearly)
> Negative heartworm test (annually).
> Proof of flea, tick, and heartworm prevention
The list is considered core dog vaccinations (recommended for all dogs, regardless of exposure risk/lifestyle). Canine influenza, Lepto and Lyme disease vaccination is recommended but not legally required.
Do you require flea/tick & heartworm maintenance for my dog to attend dog daycare & boarding?
We require that flea/tick & heartworm prevention be updated and maintained for daycare and boarding. Proof is required to be obtained on your client profile.
If you have a puppy or kitten, let us know. If your pet is exempt from or on a holistic plan, please provide written proof from your vet.
Can I sign up for the service online? Yes! Please visit click here to get started. Once you become a client, you will have full access to a client portal and can book any service through your client app.
Do you offer curbside pick-up & drop-off for dog daycare and boarding clients? Yes! We offer curbside pick-up & drop-off for dog daycare and boarding clients.
Are there dogs of all sizes in your dog daycare and boarding facility? Yes! We take care of dogs of any size and weight.
Do you require a minimum number of days my dog has to attend daycare? We ask that daycare guests participate 1 time per week.
Do you have a maximum number of days my dog can attend daycare per week? No! However, It is recommended that dogs do not exceed 2-3 days of daycare per week (depending on breed), as overstimulation can occur. Our company does not support the overstimulation of dogs. A tired dog is not always a happy, healthy dog.
Do you have different groups during daycare? Yes! We do group rotations during daycare.
How do you control the spread of bacteria, viruses, and pet odors? Providing our staff and clients with a healthy environment during their stay is part of our quality commitment to you. Reducing the spread of bacteria and viruses within our community is very important. We achieve this by practicing a strict cleaning regimen, using professional animal facility-grade pet-safe and eco-friendly cleaning, disinfecting, and sanitizing products. We clean our play areas, suites, and outdoor area daily and sanitize toys and beds daily. Food and water bowls are also cleaned and sanitized daily.
What type of staff will be around my pets? All members of Winter Park Paws have passed a background check and been certified in Pet CPR & first aid.
Are dogs observed at all times in group? 100%! We make sure to monitor all dogs in the group. Their safety is our top priority.
Is there a chance my pet gets scratched, injured, or dirty at daycare or boarding? Yes, it can happen. It is a playground for dogs! All clients allow their pets to play at their own risk, and sometimes accidents happen while playing. We always try our best to avoid any injuries.
Will my dog be tired, sore, or worn out after daycare? There is a chance that your dog can exhibit being tired, sore, or worn out due to attending daycare. This is normal due to the activity, primarily if they are not used to it.
Will my dog eat other dogs’ stools? If your dog is prone to eating stools of their own or other dogs, please inform us. We do our best to ensure dogs do not consume stool, but there is a possibility that it will happen in this environment. Stool eating is a sign of nutritional issues and must be addressed at home to correct and prevent it.
Is there nap time and breaks during daycare? Absolutely! Nap time and breaks are required throughout the day. Our designated nap time is from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. Nap time may vary depending on the group type. It is so important to unwind and decompress in the middle of the day to avoid dogs becoming overstimulated and exhausted. We even play calming music for them to relax!
Is there an indoor and outdoor play area at the daycare center? Yes! We offer indoor and outdoor areas for dogs. Our indoor space is air conditioned and has dog play equipment, dog couches, and elevated cots. Our outdoor space has an oscillating fan, two automatic fresh running water bowls, a dig-proof fence, and K9 artificial grass. We also have a small pool and canopy for those hot days, with access to fresh water at all times.
Will there be toys for my dog to play with at your daycare facility? Yes! We offer toys of all sizes—indestructible and safe toy options. We also have small pools for those who enjoy getting wet. Toy time is only allowed for dogs who do not possess guarding habits. If your dog is prone to guarding toys, they will be on a break during toy time.
Do I need to bring my dog’s bedding and toys to daycare or boarding? No! We will provide all the necessary items for their stay. If you insist on leaving an article of clothing (e.g., a T-shirt), cot topper, or special blanket to aid in their separation, please limit personal belongings to 3 items that must be washed and free of bugs before entering the building. We are not liable for any damaged or lost items you leave with them. Soiled items will be thrown away.
Do you work on basic manners? Yes! Our structured mentality includes daily activities that keep dogs mentally, physically, and emotionally stimulated while maintaining balance. Any dog that exhibits poor manners will be removed from the playgroup immediately and placed in a room to relax. Then, we will reintroduce them if their behavior is manageable. If the behavior persists, the pet will be removed permanently, and the owner will be contacted.
Do you have first aid equipment in case of a minor incident? Yes! We have a pet and staff first aid station.
Do you praise good behavior or correct bad behavior? How do you avoid dog fights? We use positive reinforcement through positive words, calm body language for redirection, and treats. We will correct poor behavior with redirection, active breaks, place work, or a complete break outside of group. We are constantly observing the pet’s body language and energy. When we observe an immediate need to disrupt poor behavior, we will intervene by using body-blocking techniques, leash redirection, and sounds such as clapping. A hose or air horn will be used if needed in critical times.
My pet has bitten someone or another pet before. Will you still care for my dog? For the safety of our staff and other pets, we will NOT accept pets with a history of biting someone or another animal.
My pet has limited or impaired function (deaf, blind, three-legged, etc.). Will you care for it? As long as your pet’s impaired function is not life-threatening to themselves or others, we will gladly accommodate your pet’s needs.
My pet has had a significant medical situation. Do I need to tell you, and will you still serve me? We must be aware of any past or present conditions to determine the best medical conditions and whether we can serve you and your pet. We treat each client on an individual basis, and service is dependent on personal circumstances.
Do you accept pets that possess resource-guarding habits? Due to the potential adverse effects of resource guarding with toys/people/food, or other pets, we do not accept any pets who possess such qualities for the safety of our staff and other pets. Resource guarding causes issues within a pack and poses a danger to humans and other pets. An animal behaviorist must modify resource guarding.
Do you have breed or weight limit restrictions in your services? No, we do not have breed or weight restrictions. We accept dogs of any breed and weight as long as they are friendly, non-aggressive, well-behaved with humans and other dogs (daycare & boarding), and have NO history of aggression or biting.
We also do not discriminate based on breed. All breeds are welcome. During our meet and greet, we will observe your pet to make sure we are a good fit for your pets, and at that time we will determine whether or not we fit your needs.