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
MENTAL HEALTH! As important as physical well-being, mental health is something that many dogs lack due to an unfulfilling lifestyle at home. Many families now have two income households, leaving the family pet at home for countless hours without attention. Dogs become bored, depressed, and experience the same emotions that people do. Feeling neglected can lead a dog to lose trust in its owner, or lash out.
We use home-style crates during naptime (12 to 2 p.m.) because it gives the dogs a safe place to rest in, allows them to have some “me” time and allows the staff to safely dispense individual food for dogs who eat lunch and/or medication to each dog if applicable. Similar to children in a daycare, dogs tend to easily adapt to the naptime routine as it’s at the same time each day and all their friends are enjoying the, often much-needed, down time as well! During naptime, the staff also thoroughly cleans each playroom to ensure the room is safe and clean before another exciting round of afternoon play!
Most kennels will have staff available 24 hours a day, though this can take several forms. One or two employees may be present on-site (in the case of a family-owned business on their property, for example), or the kennel may be monitoried by video and audio. Feedings are usually handled at the discretion of the owner; whatever food you prefer must be supplied, along with instructions on how much to feed and how often.
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.