Stay Safe, Stay Healthy

At Briggs Republic, the health and safety of all our furry guests are our top priorities. In compliance with the Illinois Department of Agriculture licensure, we require all dogs staying or playing at our facility to have up-to-date proof of immunizations on file. This ensures a safe and enjoyable environment for every pet under our care.

Required Vaccinations

To participate in any daycare or boarding activities at Briggs, dogs must be vaccinated against the following:

Rabies
Bordetella (every 6 months)
DHLPP (Distemper, Hepatitis, Leptospirosis, Parvovirus, and Parainfluenza)

We strongly recommend having these vaccinations on file at least four weeks prior to your pet's stay to verify that all records are current. This precaution helps avoid any last-minute frustrations and potential reservation cancellations, especially since some vaccines require completion at least two weeks before any stay.

Vaccination Exceptions

Under rare circumstances, and only with the expressed written authorization from a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM), we may consider exceptions to our vaccination requirements. Any exceptions are strictly evaluated on a case-by-case basis. The dog must be current on all vaccinations deemed necessary by the Department of Agriculture and their veterinarian and must be a well-established patient. Additionally, the lack of certain vaccines will influence the boarding arrangements for the dog, necessitating an individualized plan for their stay.

Spay/Neuter

Daycare dogs over the age of 9 months must be spayed or neutered. There's science behind spaying/neutering dogs for social lifestyles. Dogs who have not been spayed or neutered smell different to other dogs, and that smell can create an instinctive reactions towards the dog that is not spayed/neutered. This can shift the environment in the play group in a negative and sometimes dangerous way. Dogs that are spayed while they are still learning proper dog to dog interactions have more time and adaptability to learn polite dog play.

Exceptions may be considered with a vet’s recommendation; however, these dogs may not be eligible to participate in group play. Spay/Neuter appointment confirmation may be requested by staff in some cases.
Boarding and/or grooming dogs are not required to be spayed or neutered, but it may impact recreation styles and play group options. Staff will discuss this during initial assessments.

Assessments

Daycare dogs are required to schedule and complete an assessment with us before being able to book a full day of daycare.

Boarding dogs that we have never met are required to schedule an assessment, too!

We utilize a researched based reactivity assessment, get the dog comfortable with the staff, and the different spaces in the facility. Dogs that will be boarding will be introduced to the boarding kennels and suites, too!

Age Requirements

Boarding and Daycare dogs must be a minimum of 4 months old, and vaccination requirements must be met. Exceptions may be considered with a vet’s written recommendation.

Ensuring a Safe Stay for Every Guest

By adhering to these health requirements, we help ensure that your dog enjoys their time at Briggs Republic without compromise to their health or the well-being of others. If you have any questions about our health policies or need further assistance with vaccination records, please do not hesitate to contact us.