Yes! we are currently open.
I would like to personally reassure you that we are staying up to date on all of the current information surrounding the coronavirus outbreak and let you know of the changes we are making to keep you and your dog safe.
How the Coronavirus affects Your Dog The American Veterinary Medical Association has stated the following:
-Infectious disease experts and multiple international and domestic human and animal health organizations agree there is no evidence at this point to indicate that pets become ill with COVID-19 or that they spread it to other animals, including people.
• If you are not ill with COVID-19, you can interact with your pet as you normally would, including walking, feeding, and playing. You should continue to practice good hygiene during those interactions (e.g., wash hands before and after
interacting with your pet; ensure your pet is kept well-groomed; regularly clean your pet’s food and water bowls, bedding material, and toys).
• Out of an abundance of caution, it is recommended that those ill with COVID-19 limit contact with animals until more information is known about the virus. Have another member of your household take care of walking, feeding, and playing with your pet. If you have a service animal or you must care for your pet, then wear a facemask; don’t share food, kiss, or hug them; and wash your hands before and after any contact with them.
The AVMA has also noted that "Smooth (non-porous) surfaces (e.g., countertops, door knobs) transmit viruses better than porous materials (e.g., paper money, pet fur) because porous, especially fibrous, materials absorb and trap the pathogen (virus), making it harder to contract through simple touch."
You can get more information regarding COVID-19 and pets at
The AVMA COVID FAQ page for pet owner:
The AVMA also recommends having an emergency kit prepared with at least two weeks’ worth of your pet’s food and any needed medications. Usually we think about emergency kits like this in terms of what might be needed for an evacuation, but it’s also good to have one prepared in the case of quarantine or self-isolation when you cannot leave your home.
The Steps Bark Town is taking to keep you and your pet safe:
The recommended steps to prevent COVID-19 are the same steps we take in our normal daily cleaning protocols. We use disinfectants and cleaners on a daily basis that are the same disinfectants used in veterinary hospitals. In addition to killing Covid-19 all of our cleaning and disinfecting products are developed for use and safety around pets and humans.
Two years ago we added UV filtration to our HVAC systems as an added layer of protection for airborne pathogens.
We have also been using hand sanitizer long before current recommendations and we have hand sanitizer available for staff and clients at our front desk and throughout the building.
A newly added step to our daily cleaning routines is the disinfection of all door handles and all other contact areas in between each client and multiple times per day.
What makes Bark Town uniquely able to continue to provide services in this time of social distancing:
We are a small facility, with a small number of staff. Our staff work independently in different areas of our facility and we are able to maintain social distancing within our working routines.
Our facility primarily works on a drop off and pick up schedule and we typically will only have a few clients entering our facility at any given time. On a normal day their will typically be no more than 2 or 3 clients in the building at any one time. During this time, we will serve our clients one at a time, and ask that our clients wait outside of our facility until the previous client has exited the building.
We are also able to provide valet service. Just give us a call when you arrive and we will be happy to come out to your car to get your dog and bring him out to you at the end of the day.
We would also like to remind you that we offer prepaid passes at a discounted rate that will minimize your need to make daily payments, helping you avoid any unnecessary front desk contact. We are looking into online payment options and will keep you informed as soon as we have this option available.
Our Cancellation Policy:
We have always requested the courtesy of a 24 hour notice prior to cancelling your scheduled services. It has always been our policy to understand that things change, and life happens and that is why we have never charged for a cancelled appointment and we have not plans to start charging now.
We do kindly ask, during this uncertain time, that you let us know of any changes in your dogs daycare schedule, so that we can staff accordingly.
We would like encourage you to continue to bring your dog for their regular play days as we continue to provide a healthy and enriching outlet for your dog.
We are here to help.
If you have questions on our policies or procedures, please feel free to give us a call.
Thank you for your trust and support in this difficult time.
Sincerely,
April Hargraves & The Bark Town Team
The following sites provide the most current information on COVID-19 recommendations
The CDC
The State of Michigan