Royal Pets Hotel Limited Policy on Collar-Free Group Play and Boarding (“Naked Attendance”)

For over 42 years, Royal Pets Hotel Limited has upheld a strict “naked attendance” policy to ensure the safety, well-being, and enjoyment of all dogs in our boarding, daycare, and group play programs. This policy mandates that no collars are worn during group activities or while dogs are boarding and unattended, except for arrival and departure. This measure aligns with industry standards and best practices, significantly reducing the risk of entanglement, choking, or strangulation due to collars catching on objects or other dogs.

Our staff, who are Board Certified as Professional Pet Care Providers, are dedicated to maintaining the highest levels of pet safety. By following these proven best practices, they ensure a safe, comfortable environment. Failure to adhere to these standards may lead to serious professional consequences, including removal from certification and disbarment from practice.

Supporting References:

The necessity of our “naked attendance” policy is supported by authoritative resources in pet care, which highlight the dangers of collars both in group play and during unsupervised boarding situations:

1.Pet Boarding and Daycare Magazine: Stresses the importance of removing collars during group play to prevent accidents like entanglement, and extends this safety practice to boarding settings. (Petboardinganddaycare.com)

2.Direct Animal Products: Lists collar safety as essential for daycare and boarding, recommending collar-free policies to prevent risks of entrapment in enclosures and play structures. (Directanimal.com)

3.The Labrador Forum: Shares experiences from pet owners and trainers regarding the risks collars pose, particularly in unsupervised environments where dogs can get caught on objects. (thelabradorforum.com)

4.Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care: Provides safety recommendations for animal interactions, noting that unsupervised animals should be protected from potential entanglement, which includes removing collars in boarding environments. (files.ontario.ca)

5.The Sun: Documents a veterinarian’s firsthand account of collar-related accidents, recommending collar-free policies to prevent potential tragedies when dogs are unsupervised. (thesun.co.uk)

6.“Off–Leash Dog Play: A Complete Guide to Safety & Fun” by Robin Bennett and Susan Briggs: This guide emphasizes the importance of removing collars for safe play and endorses the same practice in boarding to prevent unintended accidents.

7.“Knowing Dogs 201” by The Dog Gurus: Provides guidance on managing safe group and solo interactions, stressing collar removal to prevent accidents when dogs are both in play and at rest.

8.“Dog Handler Academy” by Eve Molzone: Trains handlers to manage dog safety comprehensively, recommending collar-free practices during  boarding and dog daycare to prevent injuries.

At Royal Pets Hotel Limited, we are committed to creating a safe, positive, and enriching environment for all pets in our care. This collar-free policy ensures not only safer group play but also peace of mind for pet owners, knowing that their pets are safeguarded from preventable accidents while in our care.