Frequently Asked Questions
We’ve gathered your common questions about daycare, boarding, grooming and other services at The Barkmont.
We want you to feel confident that our top priority is providing a healthy and safe environment for every dog in our care. Don’t hesitate to give us a call or email us if you have any further questions.
Costs, Fees, and Services
What is the rate for dog daycare and boarding?
Daycare starts at a single-day rate of $60, and boarding service starts at a single-night rate of $95. Some additional costs and fees may apply such as early drop-off or late pick-up. We also offer optional add-on services for your dog during their stay. See details below for more information.
What type of grooming services do you provide?
We offer a range of services from basic baths to spa packages. Our full list of offerings and prices can be found on our grooming page.
The prices listed are base rates. Your dog may need additional services or grooming to ensure they look their best. If any extra services are required, we will make every effort to contact you in advance to discuss the best options. For a more accurate estimate of your dog’s grooming and bathing needs, we recommend emailing us directly.
Do I have to be a daycare or boarding client for grooming services?
Currently, our grooming is reserved for clients enrolled in our daycare and boarding programs. For more information, please send us an email or check out our enrollment information below.
Can I bring my own food?
Yes, we require all guests to provide all food and medicine in an airtight, rigid, plastic container. Please make sure the food is clearly labeled with your dog’s name and the amount they should receive at each meal.
Any food brought in a bag will need to be repackaged into one of our rigid plastic containers for a $15 fee.
What are your hours for drop-off and pick-up?
Although our facility is staffed overnight, we only offer drop-off and pick-up during lobby hours to ensure the safety of our team and overnight guests.
Lobby hours:
Monday-Friday: 7am-7pm
Saturday, Sunday and Major Holidays: 9am-5pm
We highly recommend that all dogs be dropped off no later than 3pm, so they can enjoy some play time before settling in for the night.
Check-out for boarding is at 11am on the final day. Dogs picked up after 11am will incur an additional daycare charge, along with the boarding cost.
Can I drop off my dog early or pick them up late?
If you need to arrive outside our lobby hours, please call ahead during regular business time to make special arrangements.
Please note: We are not able to accommodate late pickups after 10pm.
There is a $30 fee per early drop-off and late pickup.
Example: Dave drops Spot off at 6am, and then picks him up at 9pm the same day.
Dave would be charged $60 ($30 per occasion).
What if I need to extend my dog’s stay while they’re boarding?
We understand that plans can change quickly, and you may need to extend your dog’s stay with us. Please call us by 4pm on your scheduled pick-up day to request an additional night of boarding.
If you are unable to call us by 4pm, a $25 extension fee will be incurred in addition to the standard boarding fee for the additional night.
What is your cancellation policy?
For most of the year, you may cancel your reservation with no penalty up to 4pm the day before your dog’s scheduled stay. Cancellations that occur after this window closes will be charged for one night of boarding.
Example: Dave schedules a boarding reservation for February 3rd. Later, he decides he needs to cancel this reservation. He must cancel his reservation by 4pm on February 2nd to avoid being charged for a night of boarding.
Do you have a holiday cancellation policy?
Due to the high demand over the holidays, we require a 100% deposit for major holiday bookings.
If the booking is canceled before the first of the month in which the holiday occurs, the deposit will be fully refunded. We are unable to issue refunds or transfer dates if the cancellation occurs after the first of the month.
Holiday
Cancellation Cut-Off
Thanksgiving Day
November 1
Christmas Eve, Christmas Day
December 1
New Years Eve, New Years Day
December 1
Enrollment Requirements
Is there an age requirement to enroll at The Barkmont?
For group play, dogs must be at least 14 weeks of age and have completed all series of their puppy vaccinations. We have separate yards for the special attention and feeding of younger puppies and senior dogs in our care.
Does my dog have to be spayed or neutered?
All dogs six months of age or older must be spayed or neutered.
What are your vaccination requirements?
Rabies, Distemper, and Bordetella (canine cough) vaccinations must be current for all guests of The Barkmont.
Please send us your dog’s vaccination records via our customer portal. We ask that you allow at least 2 days for us to process your dog’s vaccination records before scheduling your dog’s Evaluation Day session. If your dog’s vaccination record is not updated within 2 days of entering it into the portal, please call us directly and we will try to remedy the issue as quickly as possible.
Are there any general health requirements for my dog to attend the Barkmont?
Dogs must be in good health and free of any communicable disease for 30 days before coming to The Barkmont. If your dog becomes sick with a communicable disease, we require veterinarian certification of good health before returning to The Barkmont.
Dogs must be free of fleas, ticks and worms. Flea collars are not allowed.
If we think that your dog is unwell or has parasites, we will isolate them and contact you for immediate pick up.
My dog hasn’t attended The Barkmont in a long time, do they need to go through the evaluation process again?
Any guest who has not visited The Barkmont within the last three months, will require at least one reorientation day prior to booking a future boarding stay at The Barkmont. This is to ensure that all of our canine guests are comfortable and carefree being in our social environment.
I’m interested in enrolling my dog at the Barkmont. What are the first steps?
We care about the well-being of your dog. Because we want your pup to thrive, we do not approve every dog that registers for daycare. Just like people, not every dog loves a social, active environment. Some dogs prefer a quieter setting, and that’s perfectly ok!
1) Start by reviewing our requirements for vaccine, general health and evaluation information.
2) After reviewing the requirements, use our online registration portal to complete the necessary forms. (Note: Dog vaccination records can either be uploaded to your account. Alternatively, your veterinarian can send it directly to vax@the-barkmont.com.)
3) Once you have registered and submitted your vaccination records, we’ll email you to schedule your dog’s evaluation.
Our primary goal is to make sure all dogs in our care are safe, healthy and comfortable. Please do not hesitate to give us a call or email us if you have any further questions.
What can I expect for my dog’s evaluation?
Evaluation day is a 4-5 hour process for your dog, and typically scheduled on Tuesdays or Thursdays from 11am-4pm with drop-off times scheduled between 10am-11am.
Evaluation time is by appointment only!
There is a one-time cost of $65 for orientation. We require all clients to keep a valid credit card on file. All fees are charged at drop-off.
When you arrive, please pull into the parking area at the rear of our building (along Pardee St). You can remain in your car, and call our front desk (510-900-1023) to let us know that you have arrived. Things get busy during orientation check-ins! We kindly ask that you arrive and call at your designated appointment time.
- A member of The Barkmont team will meet you in the parking lot at your appointment slot.
We ask for just 10-15 minutes of your time so our team can learn a little bit about your pup and to ensure that your pup is set up for success at The Barkmont! You are welcome to leave once our team is ready to start your pup’s orientation day. - During the orientation day, we monitor your dog’s stress level, affinity towards new people and dogs, and their overall comfort of being in a social environment.
- As long as your dog is comfortable and having a good experience, we will keep your pup until 4 PM. Upon pick-up, we will give you their report card for the day and summarize how their day went.
- We ask that you be open and available to pick up your pup earlier than 4pm. If they show signs of stress we will call you to pick them up. Ending early does not mean they “failed”! It simply means that the new environment was a lot for them.
I’m not sure if I’m ready to enroll. Do you offer tours?
We offer tours of the facility on Saturdays by appointment only.
Email info@the-barkmont.com to sign up in advance and to confirm availability.
