Paw Haven FAQs — By Category

How do I enroll my dog at Paw Haven?

• Fill out and submit our intake form and upload all vaccines into our system on https://pawhavenct.gingrapp.com/front_end/index. You can also email your vaccines directly to ThePack@PawHavenCT.com. Friendly reminder: some vaccines are given in parts several weeks apart. Aim to start the vaccines for your pup at around 8 weeks so your dog is fully vaccinated by about 16 weeks.
• Drop your dog off at Paw Haven for a scheduled interview/temperament evaluation.
• Once our staff has conducted the interview/ temperament evaluation for your dog you will be free to book services with Paw Haven through our website or you can contact us directly.

How do I enroll my cat at Paw Haven?

• Fill out and submit our intake form and upload all vaccines into our system on https://pawhavenct.gingrapp.com/front_end/index. You can also email your vaccines directly to ThePack@PawHavenCT.com.
• Once your intake form has been accepted, you will be free to book services with Paw Haven through our website or you can contact us directly.
• Stop by for a tour of our facility, if you’d like, though it is not required.

What does the dog interview process and temperament evaluation entail?

• The interview and temperament evaluation will determine whether your dog is a candidate for our open play doggy daycare.
• When you come in for your interview, we will cover your dog’s medical history, social history, vaccine history, eating tendencies, and much more. This is a great time for us to learn things about your dog that we might not otherwise be aware of.
• We’ll have a hands-on meet-and-greet, where we’ll make sure your pup is comfortable being handled by our staff.
• We’ll see how your pup interacts with other dogs as we have a one-on-one introduction with another Paw Haven pup in a controlled environment.
• Assuming all goes well, we will bring your dog into one of our doggy daycare open play yards, specifically designed for your dog’s size and temperament, to observe their behavior. Please be aware that on interview day, we may stop the process at any point, if we feel necessary.
• Ideally, everything goes well and your dog will get to enjoy the remainder of the day at daycare at no charge.

Why do you require an interview?

• Safety – we must ensure that every dog that attends Paw Haven has been evaluated and is a good fit for open group play.

What vaccinations do you require for my dog to participate in boarding or daycare?

• Rabies
• Distemper
• Bordetella
• K9 Influenza
• Additionally, we require a negative fecal report including giardia from within the last six months.

What vaccinations do you require for my cat to participate in boarding?

• Feline Distemper and Rabies

What vaccinations do you require for my dog to participate in grooming services?

• Rabies
• Bordetella

Can I take a tour?

• Absolutely! Just stop by our lobby any time during our business hours. Tour times are subject to change during peak and holiday times, so please call ahead to check availability.

Do you accept all breeds of dogs?

• Yes, we are a place for all wags of life and we do not discriminate based on breed, age, or size.
• If your dog is social, they will get the same amount of time in our play groups as any other dog regardless of breed.
• If your dog does not play well with other dogs, we can still accommodate them for an additional charge and s/he will get individual play time with a staff member.
• We do not, however, accept dogs that are aggressive with people. We have a very hands-on campus that requires us to work closely with all of our guests and we cannot do that effectively if your dog is aggressive towards people.

Why should I send my pet to doggy daycare?

Your pooch may be the valedictorian of lying around all day or have an A+ in chewing expensive things that aren’t edible. Either way, why leave your pup alone? They could be at Paw Haven playing, sniffing, slobbering, chasing, fetching, wagging, lounging, and getting their belly rubbed by a special breed of dog-obsessed human!

What are some benefits of sending my pet to doggy daycare?

• Get your furry family member regular exercise to maintain a healthy weight.
• Get your pup both mental and social stimulation, which every pup craves!
• Relieve separation anxiety, boredom, and destructive behavior at home.
• Increase overall happiness.

How will my dog spend his/her day while at daycare?

• Your dog will spend the day exercising and socializing with their friends – dogs and humans alike – in a supervised, clean, safe, fun environment.
• Our 15,000 sq. foot climate-controlled facility provides your dog with the opportunity to romp in both our indoor and outdoor play yards.
• For any dog that needs a rest, we will provide a safe and quiet area for them to take a nap.
• If you prefer to not leave things to the imagination, simply pop onto PawHavenCt.com and take a peek at your pup on our play yard webcams!
• Keep an eye out for daily report cards so you can keep track of your pup’s daily activities!

How will my cat spend his/her day while at daycare?

• Our cat condo features its own separate space, purposefully set away from the sounds and smells of the rest of the facility.
• Each cat has its own condo complete with a private litter box and two-story play area.
• Paw Haven staff will provide each cat with individualized attention and allow them to play on our cat castle throughout the day.

Do I get a discount if I have more than one dog/cat?

• Yes! You will receive 20% off each additional pet you have.

Will my older dog enjoy participating in daycare?

• Many older dogs enjoy socializing just as much as their younger friends. Some do not, but we offer alternate services to still be able to give your pup the care they need.

Why is my dog so tired after s/he comes home?

• A tired dog is the sign of a good day! It means your pup has been socializing and getting the exercise they need.

Can any dog participate in dog daycare or boarding at Paw Haven?

• Any dog that meets the below requirements is welcome to participate at Paw Haven.
• Completes an interview/temperament evaluation.
• Spayed or neutered (if six months or older).
• Current on Rabies, Distemper, Bordetella, and K9 influenza vaccines.
• Has a negative fecal report including giardia from within the last six months.
• Flea/tick free and in generally good overall health.
• No open wounds or stitches of any kind.
• Dog and/or people friendly.

Can any cat spend time at the Paw Haven Cat Condo?

• Any cat that has their Feline Distemper and Rabies shot is welcome to board with us.

Why do you require that I spay or neuter my dog after six months, even if my dog is friendly?

• Safety! Hormones play a big part in the dynamic of a group of dogs. Even if your pup is friendly, having an unaltered dog in an open play group can create problems and unhappy dogs.

My dog has some health problems. Can s/he still participate in daycare or boarding?

• Yes! We will discuss any health issues with you and your vet to decide the proper care needed.

Should I bring my dog/cat’s food during a boarding stay or daycare lunch?

• We highly encourage you bring your pet’s food during their time at Paw Haven to ensure their routine stays as close to normal as possible.
• If you cannot supply your own food, or if we run out of your pet’s food while you’re away, we’ll be happy to accommodate your pet by feeding him or her with our house food.
• If bringing your pet’s food, please ration out each meal in zip lock bags to ensure you provide enough bags of food for a few extra meals, if needed. Please label the bags with your pet’s name.

Can I bring my dog/cat’s own bed or favorite toys?

• Sure. We’re happy to have your pet sleep on his or her bed when they’re with us – we want them to be as comfortable as possible while at Paw Haven!
• We also allow your pet’s favorite toy in his/her suite during their boarding stay. However, we do not allow toys in the dog play areas as dogs can sometimes become aggressive if they haven’t learned to share.

Can my two dogs board together?

• Yes! We have the ability for sibling dogs to room together in conjoining runs.

Can you administer my pet’s medication? Is there an additional charge?

• We can administer medication for your dog; however, we do not administer medication for our feline friends at this time. All medications must be clearly labeled in their original packaging with dosing directions clearly written.

Are the dogs walked outside of the facility?

• No – with our dynamic indoor-outdoor facility, there is no need for outside walks, as your pup will have the ability to get fresh air and go potty at all times.

Are puppies welcome at Paw Haven?

• Yes! We love puppies – inquire with our staff about our options for care.

What are your drop off and pick up times for dog boarding?

• Drop Off: Please plan to drop your pup off for their boarding stay between 7 AM and 10 AM or between 1 PM and 4 PM. Ideally, we want your pup to have time to play, eat, and play again before retiring to their dorm for the evening!
• Pick Up: Please arrange to pick your dog up by 2 PM on the last day of your reservation. If this timing does not work, we can schedule your dog for an additional ½ day of daycare.
• Each boarding night includes a full day of daycare (on the front or back end of the overnight).

What are your drop off and pick up times for dog daycare?

• You can drop off your pooch for daycare between 6:30 AM and 11 AM or between 1 PM and 3 PM.
• Pick Up: Please pick up your pooch no later than 6:45 PM (15 mins. prior to closing).
• Half Day Daycare Pick Up: Please inquire with our team.

What are your drop off and pick up times for cat boarding?

• Drop Off/Pick Up: You can drop off and pick up your cat between 7 AM and 11 AM or between 1 PM and 7 PM.

What makes Paw Haven different?

• The Paw Haven difference is Ivy League care for your canine or feline student of life. Our facility is the newest and largest indoor/outdoor pet daycare and boarding facility in New England.
• Paw Haven features nearly 15,000 square feet of play space for your pet to romp around.
• Your pet’s well-being is our first and foremost priority. That’s why we have a number of safety protocols in place to protect your furry family member.
• Our professionally trained, energetic, and paw-loving team is one of the biggest points of differentiation among our competitors. Our staff is Pet CPR and First Aid Certified, and our general manager is a Certified Professional Animal Care Operator (CPACO).

What are your hours?

• 6:30 AM - 11 AM and 1 PM - 7 PM every day. Check our website for holiday hours.

Where are you located?

• We are located at 1175 State Street, Suite 241, in New Haven, CT – at the corner of State St. and Blatchley Ave.
• We are inside of the UHaul building – look for our big Paw Haven sign – our entrance is right under it!
• We are right off I-91 and less than one mile from I-95.

Do I need to make a reservation for boarding?

• Yes, a reservation is needed for boarding, and we recommend making it early, especially leading up to the holidays.
• Friendly reminder that your dog needs to have completed the Paw Haven interview/temperament evaluation before making a reservation.

Do I need to make a reservation for daycare?

• We prefer for all dogs to have a reservation for daycare but it is not required.
• We will do our best to accommodate your pup on short notice if your dog has previously completed the interview/temperament evaluation.

How do I make a reservation?

• The easiest way to make a reservation is through our website at www.pawhavenct.com/book-now.
• You can also email us at ThePack@PawHavenCT.com to request a reservation.

Non-Holiday

• Deposits are required to secure your reservation. A 50% deposit of your entire reservation amount will be collected at the time you make your boarding reservation.
• If you cancel 48 hours prior to your boarding reservation, you will receive a full refund of your deposit.
• If you are a no-show or cancel within the 48 hours prior to your boarding reservation, you forfeit your deposit.
• Deposits cannot be used as credit toward other services.
• Payment for the balance of the full boarding stay will be collected at drop-off.
• All pricing and policies are subject to change without notice.

Holiday

• A 2-night minimum stay is required at holidays to better accommodate all our furry guests.
• Holiday reservations require a 50% deposit at the time you make your boarding reservation.
• 7 days' notice for reservation cancellations for holidays is required to receive a full refund.
• A holiday period is considered 3 days before and 3 days after the actual holiday.
• Cancellations within the 7 day period prior to the holiday reservation and "no-shows" forfeit their 50% deposit.
• Deposits cannot be used as credit toward other services.
• All pricing and policies are subject to change without notice.

Daycare Packages

• No package refunds after 30 days from date of purchase.
• For package refunds within 30 days, days used will be charged at full or half-day rate (depending on the package purchased).
• Day care packages expire one (1) year from purchase date any days not used will be forfeited.
• All pricing and policies are subject to change without notice.

How is Paw Haven handling the Covid-19 health crisis?

• In response to the Covid-19 health crisis, we want to let you know that Paw Haven is considered an essential business and will continue to offer pet boarding and daycare services at our normal hours.
• If Covid-19 has taught us anything, it’s the importance of building a community and as such we want to protect our community to the best of our abilities. See below for just some of the steps we are taking to mitigate the spread of Covid-19 at Paw Haven and beyond.

How does Paw Haven plan to provide a clean environment for pets and their owners?

• Increased frequency of our cleanings of common areas at Paw Haven: sanitization of all contact surfaces including but not limited to door handles, knobs, front desk, credit card machines, tables and chairs.
• In our grooming areas, play areas, and boarding areas, we will continue our stringent cleaning practices and use a pet-friendly disinfectant formulated to kill the coronavirus (and other viruses).
• Disinfectant soap, hand sanitizers or wipes will be available at all main contact points.
• Paw Haven features AtmosAir, a unique and proven air purification system that eliminates mold, controls bacteria and the spread of airborne viruses plus reduces airborne particles and germs.

How is Paw Haven going to encourage social distancing?

• Staff and customers are urged to maintain social distancing at Paw Haven when possible.
• Use of contact-free drop-off and pick-up solutions will be offered, when possible.
• Use of contact-free payment options including online booking at PawHavenCT.com and Apple Pay and Samsung Pay are encouraged.
• We recommend that only one pet parent/guardian accompany their pet into the facility.
• We have enacted a staggered lunch time to increase distancing of employees.

How are Paw Haven’s staff prepared to limit the spread of Covid-19?

• Staff are supported with all the supplies and information they need – and anyone who is not feeling well knows we will support them in their decision to stay home.
• Staff are reminded to frequently participate in handwashing and will wear masks while recommended by the CDC.