All dogs must be up to date on their core vaccinations, including rabies, distemper, parvovirus, and Bordetella (kennel cough). We will verify these during the Meet & Greet registration process for new clients. Existing clients are required to ensure their dog’s vaccines are current and noted in their dog profile in our online portal. Plan to vaccinate your dog at least 2 weeks prior to any boarding or daycare visits. Vaccinations do not work immediately. For example, an oral or intranasal Bordetella vaccine takes 3-4 days to achieve a level of protection. Injectable versions will take 7-10 days. Speak to your vet to receive the best advice and plan your visits to The Homestead accordingly.

We ask that clients drop their dog off and leave promptly to avoid distractions and maintain a steady drop-off process. You can see the fun they have with us in the pictures and videos we send you!

Yes, we require new clients to schedule a Meet & Greet with their dog(s). Your dogs must be up to date on their required vaccines. Prior to scheduling your visit, we’ll need to set you up in our online portal for you to provide necessary information about your dog. Visit our New Clients page for more important information and how to schedule your Meet & Greet.

Our maximum capacity for daycare is 20 dogs, excluding our employees’ dogs who sometimes stay with us when their owner is working their shift. We have one staff member to every 5-10 dogs during daycare hours. For overnight boarding, our capacity is up to 12 dogs in the Canine Cottage or Spa and 2-3 dogs in our home, The Red Brick House.

Yes, but only if the smaller dog enjoys the company of the larger dogs and the larger dogs behave appropriately with smaller dogs. We have a Little Paws play area just for smaller dogs, too.

Because we offer the off-leash experience, dogs get to enjoy the freedom of being in the environment, including the mud and ponds! It’s the experience we strive to provide for our furry guests. If you are concerned about having a dirty dog, we recommend dressing your dog in clothes that will keep them dry and warm.

We don’t clean dogs before pick up, as we don’t have the resources to provide this level of customer service. We strongly encourage owners to dress their dogs for the weather and trail conditions, and bring a towel for pick ups.

Yes, we welcome dogs of all breeds, shapes, and sizes!

Our special service of an off-leash, open play environment is not suited for all dogs, so the Meet & Greet is our chance to meet you and your dog and decide if we are a good fit together. You must schedule a Meet & Greet with us and complete the required documentation prior to your visit. Your dog must be up to date on their required vaccines in order to visit our property. During your 30-minute visit, we will review your dog’s information, give you a tour of our property, and assess your dog’s behaviour. Successful candidates can stay the remainder of the day in our daycare service at a discounted rate when we have availability. Visit our New Clients page for more important information and how to schedule your Meet & Greet.

Monday through Friday 8:00 am - 5:30 pm Saturday & Sunday 8:30 am to 4:30 pm Daycare is not available on weekends with the exception of special promotions. Drop-Off and Pick-Up Windows: Monday to Friday (excluding holidays) 8:00 am - 9:00 am 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm 4:00 pm - 5:30 pm Saturday & Sunday for boarding only (including holidays) 8:30 am - 9:30 am 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm 3:30 pm - 4:30 pm

We assess the weather conditions and adjust the outdoor time accordingly. For example, on colder days we offer shorter hikes and more opportunities for the dogs to warm up. Owners are also welcome to send their dogs with coats or booties, but these should be clearly labelled. We are not responsible for missing or damaged items.

Dogs do not need to be neutered or spayed to attend The Homestead if they are younger than one 1 year old. However, we will not accept females in heat and may refuse intact males who are overly aggressive or not accepted by the group. If your dog comes into heat while under our care, you will be contacted to pick her up. The Homestead Nottawa always reserves the right to revoke attendance to dogs who may pose a danger to others.

As much as possible! This depends on the weather. Our goal is to allow as much outdoor time as the dogs desire.

Sometimes and only if necessary. We continually assess the behaviours of all dogs when they are in our care, as safety is our top priority. We provide special accommodations for dogs that are a risk to themselves or others. For instance, dogs that are at risk for jumping the fence or have very high prey drive may need to be trained on our Invisible Fence (extra charges may apply), remain leashed even in our fenced areas and leashed on our walks. Any dog that becomes antisocial or aggressive will be removed from the group immediately. Depending on the severity of the behaviour, the dog may not be welcome to return to The Homestead or may only be able to participate with safety precautions such as a muzzle and/or have limited access to other dogs. Any dogs that are not easily managed by these strategies (or not supported by the owner) will not be able to continue participation at The Homestead.

We offer dog daycare (Monday to Friday only), overnight boarding, grooming, and canine wellness services.

Your dog will enjoy a full day of supervised play sessions, group exercise, mental stimulation, and individualized attention in our daycare service. Play sessions and group exercise include multiple trail walks, backyard play and swimming. We typically spend most of the day outdoors.

Unfortunately, we can’t guarantee that your dog won’t contract something if they drink from a natural water source while out on a hike. Giardia is a common, and very tricky, parasite that causes diarrhea, vomiting, and other symptoms and can be spread easily. Dogs can get this from drinking water contaminated with feces or from another dog. As much as we’d like to eliminate Giardia in the environment, it’s beyond our control, but we do pick up feces immediately and give the dogs fresh water while at The Homestead. We ask all clients to monitor their dog’s health and refrain from attending if their dog shows signs of illness; this helps us stay as safe as possible.

Yes, because what we offer is very different than a leashed walk or 30 minutes at a dog park. Your dog may be tired and a little sore, depending on their participation in our action-packed activities and adventures. We have a variety of terrain that can be challenging for some paws in the beginning, but the more time your dog spends with us, the quicker their paws adapt. We monitor your dog’s energy levels while they’re with us, build in rest times, and allow the dogs the option to stay in the backyard and skip scheduled walks. Please be sure to consult your vet if you have concerns about your dog’s health.

Yes, group walks are part of the boarding and daycare experience. We offer off-leash hikes around our property at least 4 times a day.

Our boarding service includes all the benefits of daycare plus comfortable, secure accommodations for overnight stays. Dogs are given plenty of exercise, mental stimulation, and rest to ensure a happy and relaxed stay. If you’re planning to be away for greater than 3 days, we require you to book a daycare service prior to their overnight stay as this will help create a positive experience for your dog.

Yes! All dogs who are boarding with us must come with their own food; we do not provide food for your dog while in our care. The Homestead is fully equipped with a fridge and a freezer, and we can handle raw diets.

Dogs who board with us receive individual attention and are monitored regularly to ensure their comfort and safety. We provide a quiet, comfortable sleeping area for each dog and ensure they receive appropriate food, water, and bathroom breaks throughout their stay. We prefer dogs to arrive at our earlier drop-off times as this gives the dog more chance to exercise and settle-in for the night.

We have 3 dedicated times for serving meals: 7:30 am, before daycare dogs arrive 12:00 pm as an optional midday meal 5:30 pm after daycare dogs depart Since we are a cage-free cottage, food will not be left out for grazing. Clients are required to update their dog’s profile in their account with detailed feeding instructions and any restrictions, allergies, or sensitivities, as we rely on this information to feed your dog. You must provide your dog’s food, clearly labelled with their name and feeding instructions. We have a fridge and freezer for raw diets, or homemade meals. The dogs are put into their own suite or area of the Canine Cottage so they can eat their meal at their own pace. We provide sanitized metal dishes for every meal and measure with our scale or measuring cups. For dogs that do not want to eat, we entice them by adding liver sprinkles, canned dog food, or other treats provided by you. If they skip a meal, their food is labelled and put in the fridge for the next meal of the day (e.g., if they miss breakfast, they will be offered it for lunch).

We have a team of experienced daycare attendants between 8:00 am and 5:00 pm, and older children who play and cuddle with the dogs in the Canine Cottage and help at drop off and pick up. The owners and/or staff are on the property 24 hours a day, and we have a 24-hour security system on our property and within the Canine Cottage.

An open concept kennel is a cage-free environment. We offer private 4x4 suites with raised beds, and a common lobby area and a larger ‘mudroom’ at the back for extra large dogs or families. Overflow during peak season may be in our Canine Spa which has heat and air conditioning, a security camera, various sized crates, and lots of space for raised dog beds for dogs that are okay in open concept space. Because we are open concept, all dogs must enjoy the company of other dogs and must pass an assessment before being accepted at The Homestead.

Yes, if you have booked the Canine Cottage for your boarding. If you are concerned about your dog sharing space, please let us know as we have six private suites in the Canine Cottage that may be a good option for your dog.

Our family and employees regularly visit the Canine Cottage throughout the day and evening, and only in the middle of the night if necessary. We have video cameras inside the cottage that we can monitor from the house.

Absolutely. We welcome your texts or emails checking on your furry loved one(s). We generally send you daily photos and updates unless you would prefer otherwise.

Yes, if you book in advance and your dog is approved by The Homestead Nottawa since it must be house trained and comfortable with children, cats, and our Golden Retrievers. We have limited availability in The Red Brick House. Our home is often open concept in our main living room and personal bedrooms however, some dogs may need to be crated. In rare circumstances, we may relocate a dog from the Canine Cottage to The Red Brick House if that dog is not adjusting well to the cottage environment.

Yes, we can take 6-10 dogs in our Canine Cottage for pre-approved overnight guests, and 2-3 spaces in our house for an extra fee. This means our overnight capacity fills up very quickly. If you’re planning to be away for greater than 3 days we require your dog to participate in our Homestead’s daycare service prior to their overnight stay.  Doing so will ensure that your four-legged child cultivates a positive experience at the Homestead and that their stay is a happy experience.

Yes. We have a living room in the cottage available for dogs that are comfortable sharing spaces. Dogs from the same family will often sleep together in a private suite.

Our grooming services include bathing, nail trimming, ear cleaning, and more. The Homestead Nottawa offers basic grooming services that can be added to your dog’s daycare or boarding reservation. Katie Knowles offers full grooming services through her professional dog groom business, Grooms by KatieK.

Our wellness services include massage and other calming techniques to support your dog’s physical and emotional well-being. You can add these services to your dog’s daycare or boarding reservation, for an additional fee and for an extra level of care.

Check out our Daycare, Boarding, and Grooming & Wellness pages for a complete list of our prices.

Yes, all daycare and boarding services are subject to a $5 + HST surcharge per dog, per day, during Christmas Break and March Break.

Our pricing varies for the Canine Cottage and The Red Brick House boarding options. We also offer discounts for long-term stays and multi-pet families. Visit our Boarding page to learn more.

Our pricing is competitive and reflects the unique value-add we give to your dog that is so much more than just a bed to sleep in. We like to think of ourselves as an all-inclusive dog resort, which means no hidden fees! Food preparation, medication administration, walks, outdoor adventures, and tons of snuggles are included in our boarding rates. And we’re proud to offer quality facilities, trail networks, and fenced acreage, all of which require property maintenance and development.

We sure do! We offer package discounts for daycare, and discount rates for long-term stays and multi-pet families for boarding. Check out our Daycare and Boarding pages to learn more!

Our pricing varies for full day daycare and half day daycare. We also offer packages if you buy in bulk. Visit our Daycare page to learn more.

Yes, you can reschedule your booking, provided you give us adequate notice.

We staff according to our booking volumes, so we recommend that you book ahead to avoid disappointment. Last-minute bookings are only permitted if we have availability and staffing, and are only for approved existing clients who have completed the Meet & Greet and are up-to-date on vaccinations.

Please contact us as soon as possible so we can discuss if and how we can accommodate your availability.

Once you're set up in our Gingr booking system and have completed the mandatory Meet & Greet, you can make a booking request using our online booking system—it’s the quickest way to confirm your request. We will review your request and send you a confirmation once approved. We also offer pre-booking for regular daycare or boarding stays.

Please read our Refund, Cancellation, and Rescheduling Policy, as refunds are available in some instances, including reasons where we have to close due to reasons beyond our control such as power outages, acts of God, or extreme weather. Refunds are not issued if you are denied services because of inadequate, lack of proof, or incomplete vaccinations. Refunds will not be granted for rescheduling or cancellations for reservations scheduled for our peak times in July and August, statutory holidays, long weekends, or school holidays. This exception to our general policy is due to the high demand in these peak times.

Yes, but you must speak with a Homestead team member in advance to notify us of the person picking up your dog. We will not release your dog without your permission.

Please read our Refund, Cancellation, and Rescheduling Policy. Fees are charged for no-shows, daycare cancellation or rescheduling changes with less than 24 hours’ notice, and boarding cancellation or rescheduling changes with less than 72 hours’ notice.

Changes to your reservation are allowed with adequate notice but may be subject to cancellation or rescheduling fees. Email us your request for the change and we can help you.

Services must be paid in full at pick up or within 24 hours of pick up. Accepted methods of payment are credit card through our online portal, e-transfer to info@thehomesteadnottawa.com, or cash. Cash payments are not exempt from HST charges.

Daycare is only available Monday through Friday, excluding holidays. Boarding is available seven days a week, including weekends and holidays.

Sometimes, not every dog will get along. We continually observe behaviours and body language to reduce the risk of an incident. If we see a dog becoming agitated, we will remove it from that situation before their agitation escalates, and we will notify you either immediately or during pick up, depending on the severity. Other proactive preventative measures include nap times, extra food at mealtime, and quiet space. In the event of an injury, we care for the dogs first, then contact the owners of the dogs involved. We gather incident details to inform the owners or alternate care provider (e.g., veterinarian or emergency contact). Please read our Terms & Conditions carefully for more information on this subject matter.

We closely monitor all dogs for signs of illness or injury. If a health concern arises, we will contact you immediately and take the appropriate action to ensure your dog’s well-being. If we need to take your dog to your veterinarian, our veterinarian, or an emergency veterinarian clinic, all fees associated with any medical care will be added to your invoice.

Your emergency contact person is responsible for making decisions regarding your dog’s health in your absence. They should agree to be your emergency contact and be available while you are away.

Yes, we are experienced in providing care for dogs with medical conditions and administering medications. You are responsible to inform us of your dog’s medical and health needs so we can accommodate them. Future clients are asked to let us know during the Meet & Greet. Existing clients are required to update their dog’s profile and email us.

The Homestead always screens new clients and their dogs with a Meet & Greet and an intake questionnaire. This way we are able to flag any potential concerns and put the necessary strategies in place to ensure a successful experience. We carefully manage group sizes and match dogs based on their temperament and play style. Our experienced staff supervise all play sessions to prevent conflicts and create safe, positive interactions. All dogs are continually assessed for their social skills, because like humans, they can have an 'off' day due to fatigue, pain, frustration, or hunger. Any dog who becomes anti-social or aggressive will be removed from the group play situation. We always try to manage negative behaviour with various strategies: removing the trigger (e.g., resource guarding a toy) removing the dog from the situation (e.g., nap time in the cottage) lunch or snack break using tools to prevent the behaviour from escalating (e.g., a soft muzzle, pet corrector spray, vibration collar, or leashes Depending on the severity of the behaviour, the dog may not be welcome to return to The Homestead or may only be able to participate with safety precautions such as a muzzle and/or have limited access to other dogs. Dogs may also be a safety risk to themselves. For instance, dogs that are at risk for jumping the fence or have very high prey drive may need to be trained on our Invisible Fence (extra charges may apply), remain leashed even in our fenced areas and leashed on our walks. Any dogs that are not easily managed by these strategies (or not supported by the owner) will not be able to continue participation at The Homestead.

We perform a thorough pre-screening of all dogs during the initial Meet & Greet, including reviewing their medical, food, and behavioral history. If a dog is considered high-risk, we ensure staff are informed and prepared to provide the necessary care. If a high-risk dog can not be easily managed by our staff using the strategies we have available, they will not be able to attend The Homestead.

Our Client Services team would love to hear from you! You can reach us by email at reception@thehomesteadnottawa.com or by sending us a message through our contact form. Client Services is open during business hours Monday through Friday. We remind you that our facility is not a typical office; we don’t have a dedicated person at a desk answering phones and email while we’re open. Our team will try our best to respond to email requests within 24 hours during our business hours but if you haven’t heard from us within 48 hours, please let us know.