Boarding Policies

CHECK-IN AND CHECK-OUT

Our boarding reception desk is fully staffed weekdays from 7 AM -6 PM; and Saturdays 7:30 AM – 10:00 AM. For your convenience, we also offer check-outs at 7 PM on Sundays, excluding holiday weekends.

VACCINATIONS

Boarding services are only available to patients of Jordan Creek Animal Hospital to ensure all pets are up to date on vaccinations and in good health. To board, your pet must meet the following vaccination requirements:

• Dogs:  Annual Exam, Rabies, Distemper (DA2PP), Bordetella, Canine Influenza, and Fecal
• Cats:    Annual Exam, Rabies, Distemper (FVRCP)

If your pet is not current on these vaccinations, please call our office, and we will be happy to give you a cost estimate to update any needed vaccinations. Please note: puppies and kittens under 16 weeks can board without all required vaccinations, but should have a vaccination schedule in place with our doctors.

FOOD

We recommend bringing your pet’s usual food to prevent upset stomachs or loss of appetite. By law, food must be in a labeled, sealable container or bag with your pet’s name (first and last) and the food’s name.

If you prefer not to bring food, our standard diet is Royal Canin Gastrointestinal for dogs and Sensitive Digestion for cats.

MEDICATIONS

All medications should be brought in the original containers with your pet’s name, the medication’s name, and dosage instructions. Please do not bring medications in unmarked containers.

PERSONAL ITEMS

Any personal items you bring (toys, beds, blankets, etc.) must be labeled with your pet’s first and last name. We recommend limiting this to 1-2 items to avoid items being misplaced or lost. While some pets benefit from familiar items like a bed or blanket, please refrain from bringing towels, bowls and litter boxes and litter for cats, as we provide these items for all pets.

We strive to make your pet’s stay as comfortable as possible. If you have any questions or need assistance, please don’t hesitate to contact us
at 515-224-9500 or boarding@jcahpets.com.

FOR DOGS

1. 1. RABIES – This incurable disease affects the nervous system of almost all mammals, including humans. It is spread through contact with the saliva of infected animals (which can include skunks, foxes, raccoons, and bats) through bites or any break in the skin. There is no cure once infection occurs. Federal and state laws require all dogs to maintain a current rabies vaccination status, and it is a state law that all dogs boarding at a commercial facility are current on their rabies vaccination.
   2. DHPP – Distemper, Hepatitis, Parainfluenza, and Parvo are all viruses that can cause illness in dogs. Parainfluenza is an upper respiratory disease of dogs that can cause a chronic cough. As the name implies, Hepatitis can cause chronic liver disease. Distemper and Parvo are highly contagious and can be deadly. Fortunately, all of these diseases are very preventable through vaccination. The state of Iowa requires all dogs boarding at a commercial kennel be current on their Distemper and Parvo vaccinations.
   3. BORDETELLA – This respiratory infection is easily transmitted from one dog to another just like the human common cold, so vaccination is important when dogs are boarded or groomed. Almost all boarding kennels require Bordetella vaccination.
   4. INFLUENZA – This flu virus is relatively new to dogs and has the ability to cause respiratory disease similar to Bordetella, however the symptoms are generally more severe. A small percentage of dogs will develop life-threatening pneumonia. Just like the human flu, this virus is highly contagious and very easily transmitted from dog to dog. When exposed, almost all dogs develop illness. For the safety of all dogs boarding at Jordan Creek Kennels, we require vaccination for influenza.

FOR CATS

1. 1. RABIES – Although some owners may think vaccination is unnecessary for indoor cats, it is important to remember that bats are the most common carrier of rabies in Iowa and many residences become unintentional homes for bats each year. Because there is no cure for rabies and humans can be exposed to rabies through unvaccinated pets, the state of Iowa requires that all cats boarding at a commercial kennel be vaccinated and current on their rabies vaccination.
   2. FVRCP – Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis and Calici viruses invade the upper respiratory systems of cats and cause cold-like symptoms. In young and debilitated cats the infection can be severe and life threatening. Just like the human cold, these viruses are readily transmitted from cat to cat. Panleukopenia, also known as feline distemper, is transmitted through the secretions of cats and is highly lethal to young kittens and unvaccinated cats. The state of Iowa requires all cats boarding at a commercial kennel be current on their Distemper vaccination.