Hello, my name is Shawna, I am a licensed pet sitter, and the founder of Tampaws Pet Care. I am a pet owner and animal lover myself. I have owned a variety of pets in my lifetime, including cats, dogs, guini pigs, iguanas, turtles, birds,snakes, fish, and even a sugar gliders. Not only am I a pet owner, i am also very involved with local rescues in the Tampa Bay area and have been a volunteer/foster mom for Pug Rescue Of Florida for the past three years. This experience has allowed me to foster and care for a variety of pugs and given my first hand knowledge with dogs of all ages and conditions. I have experience with administering basic med ... View Profile
As Dogtopians, we’re a unique breed. Our team of dog care professionals provide quality care in a safe and supervised environment. Team members must complete rigorous training on dog body language and behavior. Our playroom attendants aren’t just watchdogs; they’re called Canine Coaches for a reason! Dogtopia Canine Coaches go through an extensive four-part training process. The custom curriculum, designed by a registered canine behaviorist, has been independently recognized by both the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants (IAABC) and the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers (CCPDT).
12 p.m. – 2 p.m.: Well-deserved naptime. Each dog is provided some much-needed “me” time in a home-style crate so they don’t get over-stimulated in exciting environments like a playroom. During this time, we also provide lunches and/or administer medications when applicable. We also use this time to proactively clean each playroom before an afternoon of play! Our highly trained Canine Coaches will closely monitor your pup and may give them extra breaks throughout the day, if required.
Your dog will get social development with how to deal with other dogs and people in a controlled environment. This development is important for you and your pets, as they become accustomed to group surroundings. And, dogs make friends too! Our dogs play in packs, get to know each other, and make friends that they look forward to seeing each day or week!

Do I need a license to look after dogs?

It happens to the best of us—we have to go out of town or work on a big job and there’s no one to look after the dog. Thankfully, there are a fair number of dog boarding opportunities for your dog near your home. Dog boarding kennels provide your dog a safe and secure place to call their home away from home while you are away. Dog boarding is sometimes accompanied by other services, such as dog training and dog grooming.

Do you need a Licence for dog home boarding?

Fun: At Dogtopia, our mantra is to provide your pup with the Most Exciting Day Ever! In addition to playroom activities, your dog will enjoy a variety of themed parties and doggie photo ops throughout the year! Dogs are a really big deal around here, so your pup can expect to play, run, learn and rest – and most importantly, they will meet their BFFF (Best Furry Friend Forever)!

Dogtopia is a very active environment, with the dogs interacting for several hours per day. Even if your dog did not run all day, simply being awake can make them very, very tired. At home, most dogs sleep the day away getting 18 or more hours of sleep. Although we have a two-hour nap, and the dogs sleep approximately eight hours per night, they will be tired. Please let them rest. We do not recommend that you take them to the dog park or any other social environment for at least a few days.

Do dogs like being in kennels?

My name is Linda and my daughters name is Christine. Together we are a team together. We have two dogs, 5 yr old Shar Pei mix and a 9 month old Blue Nose American Staffordshire Terrier. We have a two step meet & greet process, First is in a neutral area where all parties can meet, then if all goes well (and we have no doubt it will) we will then schedule another meet or simply have you us follow to our house. This way you get a feel for us and our pups and see our home, which will be their home for your away time. If anyone needs special accommodations you just need to let us know and we’ll take care of them as if they are our own. ... View Profile
As Dogtopians, we’re a unique breed. Our team of dog care professionals provide quality care in a safe and supervised environment. Team members must complete rigorous training on dog body language and behavior. Our playroom attendants aren’t just watchdogs; they’re called Canine Coaches for a reason! Dogtopia Canine Coaches go through an extensive four-part training process. The custom curriculum, designed by a registered canine behaviorist, has been independently recognized by both the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants (IAABC) and the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers (CCPDT).

Can I leave my dog for a month?

After an exciting boarding stay at Dogtopia, it’s important to ensure your dog adapts well to being back home. While at Dogtopia, your dog received access to unlimited water in their playroom. However, it is still likely they will seem very thirsty upon returning home. This is a common reaction to the excitement of being back at home with their family. Please withhold water from them for the first 30 minutes that they are home. After they have calmed down from the excitement of being home, you should then give them a small bowl of water and continue to monitor their water consumption for the next few hours. Dogs that drink too much water too quickly may lead to vomiting, or in very serious cases, could lead to bloat.
Dogs boarding with us will enjoy a staycation, burn off any excess energy during a full day of play with our daycare dogs. Dogs are separated into supervised playrooms depending on size, play style and temperament, ensuring the comfort and safety of all our guests. They’ll enjoy 8-10 hours of open play that features brain games designed to improve manners and behavior.  There will also be plenty of time for naps and breaks, should they require them. If your dog is having lunch, he/she will be fed at the start of naptime and will have plenty of time to digest their food before they are allowed to play again. This private time is also when we administer any medications, if applicable.