Question 1

What are the dates you are closed for booking reservations?

Accepted Answer

While caring for your pets is our passion, we do take time off during the year between peak seasons for facility maintenance and to recharge. During these dates, we won't be booking reservations, but we're happy to provide referral contact information for trusted, local care providers — small businesses and individuals we personally trust to care for our own pups when we're away.

2026 Closed Dates 
 • Wed. 2/4 to Sun. 2/8 (back open Mon. 2/9)
 • Fri. 3/20 to Sun. 3/29 (back open Mon. 3/30)
 • Fri. 5/8 to Thurs. 5/14 (back open Fri. 5/15)
 • Wed. 8/19 to Sun. 8/23 (back open Mon. 8/24)
 • Fri. 10/23 to Sun. 11/1 (back open Mon. 11/2)
It’s possible we may add a small number of additional dates - if we do, we’ll communicate those updates as early as possible.

Question 2

What are your holidays and peak times (requires minimum booking days)?

Accepted Answer

General Policies (All Reservations)  Click here (https://www.bainbridgepetresort.com//s/f/what-is-your-payment)for full payment and cancellation policy.
 • Payment Required for Booking Confirmation: 100% pre-paid at the time of booking (like Rover but without the extra fees).
 • Cancellation Policy: As a small, local business we depend on scheduled bookings. We understand that sometimes life is unexpected, and plans change, but the nature of our business makes it challenging to fill openings upon short notice.

Holidays and Peak times:  100% of booking is NON-REFUNDABLE regardless of cancellation notification timing.

Holidays & Peak Times, including minimum booking dates required:
2026
 • Mid-Winter Break (7 day min. anytime btwn 2/13 - 2/22) (Fully booked; waitlist available)
 • Spring Break (7 day min. anytime btwn 4/3 - 4/12)
 • Memorial Day (5/22 - 5/26)
 • 4th of July (7/3 - 7/5)
 • Labor Day (9/4 - 9/9)
 • Thanksgiving (11/25 - 11/29)
 • End of Year Holidays/New Years (7 day min. anytime btwn 12/20/26 - 1/3/27)

Question 3

What is your payment and cancellation policy?

Accepted Answer

General Policies (All Reservations)      
 • Payment Required for Booking Confirmation: 100% pre-paid at the time of booking (like Rover but without the extra fees).  
 • Payment Types: PayPal or Venmo (transaction fee applies), Zelle (your bank must be partnered), cash, or a check written out to Bainbridge Pet Resort.
 • Cancellation Policy: As a small, local business we depend on scheduled bookings. We understand that sometimes life is unexpected, and plans change, but the nature of our business makes it challenging to fill openings upon short notice.

Non-holidays and non-peak times:
 • Cancellation before 7 days of scheduled drop off time: full refund. 
 • Cancellation between 6 days and 3 days of schedule drop off time: 50% refund.
 • Cancellation within 72 hours of scheduled drop off time:  100% non-refundable.

Holidays and Peak times:  100% is NON-REFUNDABLE regardless of cancellation notification timing.

Click here (https://www.bainbridgepetresort.com//s/f/what-are-your)to see a list of our Holidays and Peak Times, including minimum booking days required.

Question 4

What pups would not thrive at the resort?

Accepted Answer

We are focused on providing exceptional care in a safe and stress-free environment for your pup and other pup guests.  Even with a balanced schedule of affection, exercise, enrichment, and rest, we would not be a good fit for a pup if:
-pup is not socialized - i.e. comfortable being approached by other pups or being around other pups playing.  We are the best fit for pups that can be characterized as 'social' or 'dog tolerant' on this dog sociability scale.
-pup has shown or shows high reactivity and/or aggression toward people or other dogs.
-pup cannot sleep in a private suite and would be highly stressed by this setup. 
-pup barks excessively as this can be a sign of stress.
-pup tries to jump or climb fencing or will dig to escape. 
-pup is a diabetic (insulin-dependent pets may not eat well or consistently outside of their home environment and very serious issues can arise for them due to a change of environment and a fluctuating appetite).
-if a pup has ever bitten a human (outside of puppy teething/mouthing).

A Note Regarding Temperament
We very intentionally care for only a small number of pets at one time. All our pup guests must be friendly towards people and other pups as we cannot take on guests we don’t feel we can safely accommodate. This means safety for your pet as well as other guests, our family, and our employee(s); therefore, highly reactive and/or aggressive pups cannot be accommodated. Should your pet show any signs of aggression while in our care, your pup will not be able to return.

We realize it can be frustrating when beloved pups have needs that may not be a good fit in a communal boarding environment - please know that we love all dogs and have had pups with unique needs ourselves. We are happy to give you recommendations of alternate options that we would trust for our own pets to help you find appropriate care.

Question 5

How does drop off and pick up work?

Accepted Answer

Drop offs and Pickups are By Appointment Only (Sunday-Friday between 7am -9:30am and 4pm-6:30pm;  closed for pickups on Saturdays and holidays)
All pups must be on a leash at all times.  Also, we are a home-based boarding business and this is our personal residence so all pick ups and drop offs are for a 15 minute time slot by appointment only.  It is important you are on-time – pet guests are the first priority and maintaining their schedule is critical to providing them with a stress-free environment.   
 • If you will be more than 5 minutes late, you should let us know as we may need to reschedule.
 • $25 late arrival fee for every 15 minutes after appointment time will be charged.
 • $50 reschedule fee (if applicable); if additional overnight(s) required, will also incur standard overnight fee.

Dropping Off
 • We recognize dropping off your pet can be a bit emotional - in our experience, short goodbyes are less stressful on your pet (and you!) and you can take additional comfort knowing you’ll be receiving an update on how your pet is settling in and regular daily updates throughout their stay.

One favor we do ask is that you watch your speed as you approach and depart our resort.  Being a good neighbor is crucial - children riding the school bus and playing, people and pups walking, and bicyclists all share the road with you and other drivers. Please abide by the posted speed limits even if you’re in a hurry - we and our neighbors thank you!

Question 6

How will I receive updates during my pet's stay?

Accepted Answer

Regular Photo Updates
We find it deeply meaningful and consider it a privilege to offer you peace of mind regarding your pet's well-being while you're away. We post photos and videos of guest pup 'joy highlights' to our instagram account at least every 1-2 days - follow us on Instagram!

Communicating Concerns or In Case of Emergency
Should any concerns arise, we'll promptly communicate them to you via text or phone call, depending on the urgency. In the event of an emergency and if you're unavailable to quickly respond due to being out of the country or without cell service, we'll also contact your designated emergency contact.

Question 7

How does your resort prioritize safety?

Accepted Answer

• An overnight temperament evaluation is required (dogs only) prior to any first booking reservation.
 • All pets are required to be fully vaccinated prior to the start of any reservation in accordance with our vaccination policies.
 • A pre-entry exam is performed on every pet at drop-off (takes about a minute) to ensure all pets are healthy and free from cuts, scrapes, injuries, and ear and eye infections.  This also ensures you as the pet owner are aware of any potential issues.
 • Collars and harnesses are removed from dogs during any group play (since dogs play with their mouths there is a high risk for teeth and jaws to become caught in another dog’s collar).  
 • We are equipped with 24/7 monitored temperature control, CO2, fire, and security alarms through SimpliSafe.
 • Our property has full 6' perimeter fencing and a private entry gate, and all client pick ups and drop-offs are by appointment only.
 • Certified in Fear Free Pet methodology
 • Certified in Pet First Aid & CPR
 • Group Play Safety Pledged

Question 8

Do you offer daycare?

Accepted Answer

We offer overnight boarding only and do not offer daycare but are happy to provide recommendations upon request.

Question 9

How will my pup do if they have never boarded at a pet resort before?

Accepted Answer

Whether your pup is a first-time or regular guest, we personalize their care with love and one-on-one time, individual or small group play, enrichment activities, and daily walks to alleviate any anxiety and ensure a safe and enjoyable experience.   Pups react to the world based on what is familiar and unfamiliar - some pups will settle right in and others may need extra attention and time to feel comfortable.  It's common for pups to experience some anxiety in a new place and to lose their appetite - we closely observe all meals and will happily sit with them, use hand-feeding, and/or add-in yummy treats (with your approval and attention to any dietary restrictions) during meal times to ensure they maintain a healthy eating routine.

Question 10

What is required for my pup to stay with you?

Accepted Answer

1. A completed pet profile and an initial evaluation overnight (one night) is required prior to booking your pup's first longer stay.

2. A signed client contract is required - we will provide this prior to your pup's evaluation overnight stay.

3. Vaccinations are required to be administered at least 14 days prior to any stay.  We will request a copy of your vaccine records before staying with us.

Question 11

What vaccines and preventatives are required for my pup?

Accepted Answer

REQUIRED VACCINES: All pups must have the following vaccines administered at least 14 days prior to their stay:
 • Rabies vaccine (1-3 years depending on age and vaccine)
 • Distemper/Parvovirus (DHPP) combination vaccine, 1-3 years depending on age and vaccine
 • Bordetella(*) (minimum annually, recommended every 6 months if your dog is in regular social contact with other dogs like at daycare or dog parks)
 • Leptospirosis ("Lepto") vaccine 
 • Negative fecal test every 6 months

(*) Similar to a flu shot, the Bordetella vaccine covers only a few strains of canine cough and is not a guarantee of immunity.

REQUIRED PREVENTATIVES: 
 • Flea and tick preventative: Owners are responsible for keeping their pet(s) flea and tick free and all pets are required to be on a regularly administered prevention treatment. Should we find evidence of fleas or ticks after drop off, we will perform a flea & tick bath immediately and administer one dose of CAPSTAR to prevent exposure to other pets; an additional $100 fee will be applied.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED (but not required)
 • Canine influenza vaccine
 • Heart worm prevention (the number of cases rise in Western Washington with each year)

Question 12

What should I bring for my pup's stay?

Accepted Answer

Required To Bring:
 • Food & Medications: Please bring a sufficient supply of your own pet's food and medications in large ziploc or sealed reusable bags (we will return the bags at pickup). Written instructions for feeding, allergies, and medications are available online in their profile.  Please note in their online profile if your pup needs a slow feeder or any special things you do in preparation of the food so we can keep them on their normal routine.  
 • We do not recommend a sudden change in your pet’s diet as it can create stress for your pet; and bringing a few days of extra supply is best practice in case you have any unexpected travel delays.

Please DO NOT bring: 
 • large food containers due to limited space. 
 • beds and bowls.
 • cherished blankets or toys that may be chewed on, or items your pup shouldn't have unsupervised.

Optional To Bring:
 • Treats: We give treats during your pup's stay (unless noted otherwise as an allergy or dietary restriction in their pet profile) but feel free to bring any specific treats your pup prefers.   
 • Comfort Items: Feel free to bring a blanket and one or two toys to make your pup more comfortable in their suite during sleep or downtime (note we may remove these items if your dog shows chewing behaviors as that would present a safety hazard).

NOTE: we are not responsible for replacing any personal items you bring that may be damaged or lost during your pup's stay.

Question 13

Do you accept puppy reservations?

Accepted Answer

The short answer is yes we do with an additional fee given the level of additional care needed.

Puppies (4-12 months)
 • Puppies must be at least 4 months old to ensure they're fully vaccinated for safety in our communal setting.
 • Puppies must be potty-trained.
 • Puppies must be crate trained and/or comfortable sleeping in a suite without being stressed out.
 • A puppy care fee per calendar day applies given the extra time & handling a puppy needs - please see our Services & Rates (https://www.bainbridgepetresort.com/petboardingservicerates)page for puppy care fee pricing.

Question 14

What is your spay/neuter policy?

Accepted Answer

For safety of your pup and our other pups guests, we require that all dogs must be spayed or neutered by nine (9) months of age in order to receive boarding services.
 • We understand and respect that the choice to spay or neuter and at what age is a decision to be made for each individual dog and by the dog’s owner and veterinarian.
 • As dogs reach sexual maturity, they are able to reproduce and hormonal changes occur that can alter behavior or may cause tension amongst other dogs which can impact the safety of all pup guests.
 • What we’ve learned over time is that even after spaying, many hormone-influenced behaviors can remain — especially if the dog has spent years unaltered. Things like mounting, scent-triggered reactivity, or tension in group play can still happen, and that can affect the safety and comfort of all the dogs.  Because of that, our policy isn’t just about the procedure itself, but also about maintaining a very consistent safety standard. For that reason, we’re not able to welcome dogs who were spayed later in life.

Question 15

Do you have any breed restrictions?

Accepted Answer

We believe every dog is unique, with temperament shaped not just by breed characteristics but also by training, environment, and socialization. While we know behavior varies widely among individual dogs, unfortunately our insurance policies require us to restrict boarding for the following purebred breeds due to their size, strength, and natural protective instincts: 
 • Akitas
 • Alaskan Malamutes
 • Belgian Malinois
 • Cane Corsos
 • Chow Chows
 • Doberman Pinschers (standard size)
 • German Shepherds
 • Pit Bull Terriers (including American Pit Bull and American Staffordshire Terrier)
 • Presa Canarios
 • Rottweilers
 • Siberian Huskies (standard size)
 • Wolf Hybrids

While we continue to encourage our insurance providers to re-consider these restrictions based on our temperament assessment policies and training certifications, we appreciate your understanding of our adherence to these guidelines.  We are also happy to provide recommendations for alternative options for your pet's care.

Proudly Recognized
2025 Best of Bainbridge Winner
2025 Best of Kitsap Nominee

Location

Pick up/Drop off Hours

Contact
furryguests@bainbridgepetresort.com
(206) 865-0179

Follow Us On Instagram

Proudly Recognized 2025 Best of Bainbridge Winner 2025 Best of Kitsap Nominee

Location

Pick up/Drop off Hours

Contact furryguests@bainbridgepetresort.com (206) 865-0179

Follow Us On Instagram

Proudly Recognized
2025 Best of Bainbridge Winner
2025 Best of Kitsap Nominee

Contact
furryguests@bainbridgepetresort.com
(206) 865-0179