Frequently Asked Questions

Hours:

Our normal office hours are 8:00AM-10:00AM and 2:00PM–4:00PM every day of the year.

Please contact us if you need an alternative drop-off or pick-up time.
Prepaid day boarding pets may pick-up until 5:00PM.



Do you require a deposit?

We require $50/pet deposit for the following holidays: Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years, Spring Break, and 4th of July. This deposit is refundable up until 4 weeks prior to the holiday. After that, this fee will either be applied to your boarding fee when you pick-up your pet or will be forfeit. We will send out an email approximately five weeks prior to the holiday reminding you that you have made a reservation and a deposit.


Otherwise, we do not require a deposit, but we do ask that you let us know if your pet will no longer be coming to stay with us.



What vaccinations do my dog or cat need?

Puppies up to 4 months old: Two rounds of puppy shots.

Puppies and dogs over 4 months old: We require a current rabies, distemper, parvo, and bordatella. We also highly recommend the Canine Influenza vaccine.The duration of the bordatella vaccination varies depending on your veterinarian. We require that you keep up on the bordatella vaccination based on your veterinarian’s recommendation.


Older dogs: At a certain point, your veterinarian will recommend that you discontinue updating some vaccinations. That is acceptable to us, but please have your vet send us a letter stating that your pet is now exempt and from which vaccination.


Cats: We require a current rabies, distemper, and feline leukemia. Please note that if you have a cat that is strictly an indoor cat, your vet may not have administered the leukemia vaccination. The leukemia vaccination is still  recommended for boarding cats.


We do require that all vaccinations be sent to the kennel prior to the reservation check-in date. You may fax (970-426-5656) or email (wtkennels@outlook.com) these records to us.



Should I bring my pet’s own food?

It is always best to try to keep your pet on their own diet. Because of pet food supply issues, we would prefer that you supply us with your pet’s regular diet. If you choose not to bring your pets' own food, their will be a $2 charge for each pet per day for them to eat our food. We do NOT accept raw food unless it is necessary for your pet's health.



How often do you feed your boarders?

We feed twice a day. If your pet is going to be checking in much later than 2:00PM, please feed them dinner before arriving at the kennel.



Can I bring toys and bedding?

Yes! If there is a potential that your dog (or cat) will swallow toys or the stuffing in their bed, we do not recommend that you bring them. Sometimes pets will chew beds and blankets at the kennel when they don’t do it at home. All of our kennels come with Kuranda beds which are super comfy dog proof “cots”.



Will my dog be able to play with other dogs?

If your dog loves to play with other dogs, we will find them a dog appropriate play group. All our play groups are supervised and matched according to age, energy, and size. The maximum number of dogs allowed in a play group is 6. We do not mix the big dogs with the little dogs. The only time you will see a little dog at our kennel playing with a big dog is when they are housemates.


What will my pet's schedule be like while boarding?

Willow Tree Kennels is an individualized care facility. Your pets' schedules may vary depending on their independent needs. Please give us a call, and we would be happy to discuss what a typical day may look like for your pet. 



What if my dog doesn’t like other dogs?

Your dog does not have to socialize with other dogs. Our kennel staff will spend quality playtime with your dog outside while throwing the tennis ball, frisbee, or just snuggling.



I have more than one dog. Can my dogs board together?

Yes. We have a variety of kennel sizes and we can comfortably accommodate housemates. We will separate them during mealtime or nighttime if necessary. Sometimes housemates don’t do well together at the kennel, so they can each have their own space if the need arises. This is true for our cat guests as well.



How do you handle emergencies?

Should your pet need veterinary care during their stay with us, we will first try to reach you, the owner, then your emergency contact. The Pet Care Agreement that you will sign states that we can seek veterinary care for your pet at our discretion. We will use your own vet, if possible. In Durango, on the weekend, Riverview Animal Hospital is the emergency vet. Please do let us know if your pet has any previous medical issues or current concerns so we can determine what’s normal behavior for your pet.



Do you offer grooming?

No, we do not offer grooming at this time.



Can my dog be trained while he is boarding?

Even though some of our kennel staff are Nationally Certified trainers, we do not offer training services at this time. However, if you’d like your own trainer to work with your dog while you are away, we are happy to accommodate that arrangement.



My pet needs medication – can you handle that?

Yes. We routinely administer medications several times per day. We are sorry, but we do not administer insulin for diabetic pets.



Do you provide senior pet care?

We love seniors! We have many seniors stay with us. We provide extra bedding and put mats on the kennel floor for traction. If you have questions about boarding your senior pet, please call us and we’ll be happy to answer them!



Can I board a puppy?

Yes. We understand the extra needs of puppies and will provide a safe environment for your new family member. Many puppies that start with us become long time boarders.



What are your kennels like?

We have custom made kennels manufactured by T-Kennels. Kennel sizes range from 3 x 7 to 7 x 8 for our larger dogs. Our smallest kennels are 4 x 4. Please call us to schedule a tour.



What are your play yards like?

We have six large play yards. In summer we offer kiddie pools that are refilled with fresh water daily. Each yard has adequate shade for each dog to get out of the hot sun. We have a variety of dog safe toys in each yard. We monitor the heat index in the summer and cold in the winter. We don’t leave dogs out longer than their comfort level.



Our goal is to make sure that your pet is well cared for and loved in their home away from home! 


Reserve early for Holidays & Summer

Book now to reserve for our busier dates.
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