Frequently asked questions

What are your opening hours?

Our hours of operation are from 8am to 6pm Monday to Friday. Please note we are closed at the weekends, on Bank Holidays, and over the Christmas period.

What North London locations do you cover?

We primarily cover Canonbury, Highbury, Stoke Newington, and Finsbury Park. We also nibble into parts of Islington, Crouch End and Holloway. You can check whether we cover you here.

What kind of transport do you use?

The best kind. We have a number of air conditioned, modern, purpose-built dog vans that we use to collect and return the gang. All our vans are fitted with dash cams and are GPS tracked so we know the exact location of your dog at all times.

What if I’m not home for pick up and drop off?

Not a problem. Many of our clients have already left for work by the time we arrive to pick up. We hold most clients’ keys and are fully covered by key holder insurance.

What if my dog has special requirements?

Every member of our pack is special in their own way and we can comfortably accommodate any requirements (such as medical or dietary) that need to be considered during their day care. Our team are experienced, qualified and above all, flexible.

How much does day care cost?

We charge £44 per day for adult dogs, and £25 per day for pups under 6 months. This price includes VAT and transportation costs. There is no volume commitment – in other words, providing we have availability, you are welcome to book as many or as few days as you require.

Do I need to pay anything up front?

Not a bean. No deposit, and no pre-payment required.

How do I pay?

We invoice monthly and require payment via direct debit.

Do you have a cancellation policy?

Yes, we do, and it is in place to ensure we can satisfy the day-care needs of all our clients. You must give us a minimum of 2 full days’ notice to cancel a doggy day out and not incur any type of cancellation fee. For example, if you have decided to take your dog with you on holiday on a Friday, a day when he or she is booked into Capital Dog Care, we will ask you to let us know by close of play (18:00hrs) the previous Tuesday. Please note that this policy also applies to booked days that clients rearrange within the 2-day notice period to a future date.

How do I manage my bookings?

Once your dog has passed his or her induction, we will ask you to download GoFido from the App or Play Store and then provide your login details. You’ll then be able to make / amend / cancel bookings, plus see what days you’ve got booked and what days you’ve had previously. You’ll also be able to add special instructions for us and update your dog’s details when required.

Does my dog need to come on the same day each week?

Not at all! While it’s helpful for your dog to have regular days, providing we have the availability, we are totally flexible on the days your dog joins the Capital Dog Care pack. And you can book up to 9pm the night before a required day using the app.

Does my dog need to be well trained?

Everyone’s idea of what ‘well trained’ means is different. For us it means being approachable, friendly and happy around other dogs and people. The best way for us to identify whether your dog is ready for day care is through our thorough induction process – and please note we are exceptionally careful when it comes to taking on new dogs.

What happens if the weather is bad?

Except in the most unlikely extreme conditions, we go ahead as normal as The Meadow is fully equipped with cosy shelters. Our custom vans are air conditioned for the heat and well heated to accommodate cold and wet conditions.

What happens if my dog gets dirty?

We know dogs love nothing more than getting dirty, but it’s a rare owner who doesn’t like to come home to a clean sofa after a hard day’s work. We’ve considered providing showers; however this takes time from their fun in the field and many breeds should avoid regular cleansing. This is why we recommend a special ‘bad weather’ suit to keep the majority of your dog clean and dry. All we have to is clean their paws and jaws, ensuring they get maximum playtime in the Great Outdoors.

What happens if there is an emergency?

Safety is paramount at Capital Dog Care. We have strict procedures for extreme weather conditions, transport accidents, dog escapes, human or dog injury and incidents of fire. We conduct regular drills in which we always ensure our pack is secured before activating the relevant processes.

Are you licensed and insured?

New licensing regulations known as the Animal Activities Licensing Regulations came into play on 1st October 2018 and we can proudly confirm that we are fully compliant with those regulations. Our licence number is M047127. We are also fully insured.

How old does my puppy need to be before they can join the pack?

As a general rule, we require puppies to be at least 12 weeks old and have completed their 2nd round of vaccinations before they can come out with us. However, much like children, not all canines develop at the same rate so we assess a pup’s readiness during our induction process.

We always ensure we’ve agreed a day plan with a puppy’s owner that includes any naps and feeding schedules before we take them adventuring in The Meadow. We also have a separate area for puppies to enable them to have a little R&R when called for.

Do you take dogs overnight?

Afraid not.

Where is The Meadow? Can we visit it?

The Meadow is situated near Hemel Hempstead. We’re happy to arrange a visit to The Meadow after our induction process has been completed.

How big is The Meadow?

The Meadow is a full 3 acres (12,000m2), and is subdivided into very well fenced paddocks.

What exactly is at The Meadow?

The Meadow is a completely secure area that combines alternating terrains for dogs to explore, a rotation of stimulating toys for dogs to enjoy and a number of well equipped cabins that provide shelter, warmth and comfort.