Following the latest Government response to COVID-19, Merrist Wood Dog Day Care will remain OPEN, operating as usual but still following our current COVID guidelines.
We recognise the need for routines and socialisation to ensure the welfare of the dogs in our care and we will continue to offer our services in a safe and controlled way to protect our dogs, staff and customers.
Merrist Wood’s Dog Day Care Centre, in Guildford, is a secure area with double entry and buzzer gate system for additional security and heated indoor cabin. Situated on our 400-acre estate, nestled amongst woodland and just three miles from Guildford. After a recent inspection the Centre has been awarded 5 stars which means that the criteria for the higher standards have been met. All new dogs will need to have a trial session before being accepted to the day care centre.
Your dog will spend their days socialising with friends, sniffing specifically designed areas, running around our field and enjoying fun activities that involve use of various equipment and toys. For some well-earned rest and relaxation, the dogs can lounge on the comfortable sofas and beds in our heated cabins. Our staff are fully qualified and hold Pet First Aid certificates as well as being DBS checked.
Our Dog Day Care Centre can also be privately hired at weekends and evenings for private training purposes and off-leash exercise. Adjacent to the Dog Day Care Centre, we also have a secure fenced field ideal for dog training and other activities, which can also be privately hired. There are car park areas close to both locations with easy access.
If you wish to make an enquiry into the Dog Day Care Centre or hiring out these areas, please complete the enquiry form below.
Contact Details:
Licence Information
Licence Number: AWRL02
Licensed by Guildford Borough Council
Can my puppy attend dog day care?
Yes, puppies can attend Dog Day Care, however it will depend on how many puppies are already attending Dog Day Care at the time. We have a daily limit for puppies under 9 months old and if there is not space at the time, we will add you to our puppy waiting list. We then contact customers on the waiting list when a space becomes available and invite them to a trial session.
Do dogs need to be neutered to attend?
Males over the age of one years old must be castrated and females in season will not be able to attend day care for the duration of their season.
Do dogs need to be vaccinated?
All dogs must be fully vaccinated and up to date with annual boosters. You will be required to bring your dog’s vaccination card to the trial session.
Can my dog attend half a day rather than a full day?
We offer half-day sessions in the mornings which run from 8:30am-12:30pm. We do not offer half-day afternoon sessions.
How many dogs are there per session?
The number of dogs attending the centre each day can vary but we will only take a maximum of 20 dogs a day.
Will my dog have to attend a trial, or can I just turn up?
All dogs need to book in for a trial session before being accepted to our Dog Day Care. The session runs from 9:30am–11:30am and the cost is £10 per dog. Once a session has been arranged, we will send you a registration form to complete. The completed form and your dog’s vaccination card will need to be brought to the trial session. This session is non-refundable regardless of whether you use the centre after or not.
What will my dog be doing during a typical dog day care session?
During the day your dog will spend their time socialising with other dogs, sniffing specifically designed areas, running around in our field and enjoying fun activities, involving toys and equipment. The centre has heated cabins that contain comfortable sofas and beds, in case your dog needs a well-earned rest.
How many staff work in the day care centre?
There is one staff member for every 10 dogs that attend Dog Day Care, however, often there is one staff member for every 8 dogs. A Supervisor will always be present on site and there will also be extra Assistants most days. All staff are fully qualified up to Degree level in Animal Management and hold Pet First Aid certificates as well as being DBS checked.
Are you licensed?
Dog Day Care is licensed by Guildford Borough Council and the licence number is also displayed on our website. Additionally, the centre has been awarded 5 stars after a recent inspection.
Do you offer a pick-up and drop off service?
No, we don’t offer a pick-up and drop off service. The very earliest you can drop your dog off for either session is 8:30am and the latest pick up time is 5:30pm (Monday-Fridays). Repeated early or late drop offs will incur an additional charge.