Common questions about dog boarding, daycare, grooming and MagnaWave PEMF therapy at Circle Lake Ranch Pet Resort in Katy, Texas — including vaccination and first-visit requirements, the new-dog assessment, pricing, and what to bring for a stay. Every answer below is shown in full.
Most asked questions
What vaccines are required?
Rabies, DHPP/DHLPP (distemper and parvo) and Bordetella are required. Canine influenza is recommended but not required.
Does every new dog need an assessment?
Yes. Every new dog completes a one-time 4–10 hour assessment before its first boarding stay or daycare day, whether or not the dog will join group play.
What does the assessment cost?
$25 for the first dog, $20 for a second dog from the same household and $15 for a third.
Does my boarding dog have to join group play?
No. Boarding dogs are not required to join group play. Dogs who skip it get individual free turnout — yard time, ball play and staff interaction, weather permitting — instead.
How much does boarding cost?
$49.44 per night for the first dog, or $48 with cash or check. Same-household dogs sharing a kennel are $39.14 for the second and $28.84 for each dog after that.
What is included with boarding?
An indoor climate-controlled kennel with bed, bowls and bedding, feeding on your dog's own schedule, daily play, and oral, topical and eye or ear medications at no extra charge.
Is anyone on the property overnight?
Yes. Our manager lives on the property, providing an on-site presence overnight. That is not continuous supervision or veterinary monitoring.
What should I bring?
Proof of vaccination, your dog's regular food with written instructions, and any medications with dosing directions. Treats are welcome; please leave toys and rawhide at home.
Getting started
What is an assessment day and why is it required?
An assessment day is required for all new dogs before their first boarding or daycare visit. It's a 4-10 hour visit ($25 for the 1st dog, $20 for the 2nd dog, $15 for the 3rd dog) where we evaluate your dog's temperament, socialization skills, and comfort level in our facility. This ensures a safe and stress-free experience for all pets. Boarding & daycare requirements.
Does my dog need an assessment for daycare too?
Yes, all new dogs require an assessment day before regular daycare or boarding. Assessment rates are $25 for the 1st dog, $20 for the 2nd dog, and $15 for the 3rd dog. This applies whether your dog will be using daycare, boarding, or both services.
Can I book online or do I need to call?
You can book online through our boarding registration form at https://form.jotform.com/252215794242153, or call us at (281) 395-4567. For first-time visits, we recommend calling so we can schedule your required assessment day.
My dog has never been boarded before. How can I prepare them?
Start with short separations at home to build confidence. Book an assessment day first so your dog can explore our facility. Bring familiar items like their bed or a worn t-shirt with your scent. Maintain a calm, positive demeanor during drop-off - dogs pick up on owner anxiety. Consider a daycare visit before an overnight stay.
Vaccinations & requirements
What vaccinations are required for boarding and daycare?
Rabies, DHPP/DHLPP (distemper and parvo) and Bordetella are required for every dog that boards or attends daycare at Circle Lake Ranch Pet Resort in Katy, Texas. Canine influenza is recommended but not required. Titers are accepted in place of vaccination where applicable, and proof of vaccination must be provided before arrival. The same requirements apply to puppies and senior dogs, and medical exceptions may be accepted subject to review. These are our admission requirements, not veterinary advice — please talk with your veterinarian about what is right for your individual dog. Full vaccination and first-visit requirements.
Is the canine influenza vaccine required for boarding?
No. Canine influenza is recommended but not required at Circle Lake Ranch. The required vaccines are Rabies, DHPP/DHLPP, and Bordetella.
Can intact (unneutered) dogs board?
Yes, intact dogs may board. Participation by intact dogs in group play or daycare is subject to behavior-based restrictions, decided case by case after the required assessment.
Are there dogs you cannot board?
For their own safety, routine boarding is not appropriate for brittle diabetic dogs, terminally ill dogs, dogs with severe disability or serious illness beyond what can be safely managed in a boarding environment, actively bleeding or injured dogs, and dogs immediately following surgery. Many dogs with stable, controlled conditions board with us comfortably — call us if you're unsure.
Boarding
What are your dog boarding hours and check-in times?
Boarding drop-off and pick-up are available from 8:00 AM to 5:45 PM, seven days a week. There is no special checkout time after which another night is automatically charged, and we do not offer after-hours drop-off or pick-up. On Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve the office closes at noon, with drop-off and pick-up available before noon; on Easter, Memorial Day, Fourth of July, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day the office is closed with no drop-off or pick-up.
What is included in the boarding price?
The nightly rate covers an indoor, climate-controlled kennel with a raised bed, bowls and bedding, feeding on your dog's own schedule up to three times a day, daily play and exercise, and administration of oral, topical and eye or ear medications. Insulin injections can be accommodated only with advance reservation so appropriate staff can be scheduled; other injectable medications are not administered. Grooming, daycare and PEMF therapy are priced separately. See full pricing.
What size are your kennels?
Boarding accommodations are indoor, climate-controlled kennels in three sizes: Medium (3 ft × 3 ft), Standard (4 ft × 4 ft), and XL (4 ft × 8 ft). Each includes a raised bed, bowls, and blankets or bedding. Dogs from the same family may share an accommodation — generally 2–3 dogs, depending on availability and an appropriately sized kennel. More about boarding.
What are the holiday boarding rules?
Our major holidays are Easter, Memorial Day, Fourth of July, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year's Eve, and New Year's Day. Major-holiday reservations require a $100 deposit per kennel — noncancellable and nonrefundable, and forfeited if the reservation is cancelled or not used — plus a 4-night minimum stay. There is no additional holiday surcharge; you otherwise pay for the nights actually stayed. On Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve the office closes at noon with drop-off and pick-up available before noon; on the other listed holidays the office is closed with no drop-off or pick-up.
Does Circle Lake Ranch board senior or special-needs dogs?
Yes, we generally accept senior dogs. We can accommodate extra potty breaks, individualized handling, mobility limitations and arthritis, blind dogs, deaf dogs, and controlled chronic conditions that fall within our safe boarding capabilities. Veterinary clearance may be required, and there is no extra charge solely for that added care. We are a boarding facility, not a veterinary hospital, so we do not provide hospitalization or continuous medical monitoring.
Daycare & group play
Does my dog have to participate in group play?
No. Boarding dogs are not required to join group play. Dogs who don't join a group receive individual free turnout instead — individual time in the large play yard, sniffing and exploring, ball play, sprinkler play where appropriate, and one-on-one staff interaction, all weather permitting. This is individual yard time, not a scheduled dog-walking service. Every new dog does still have to complete a $25 assessment before boarding or daycare, and dogs may be declined for aggression or behavioral concerns at staff discretion. Read about boarding without group play.
What if my dog doesn't do well in group play?
That's perfectly okay — dogs have different personalities, and group play is optional. Dogs who don't join group play receive individual free turnout instead: individual time in the large play yard, sniffing and exploring, ball play, sprinkler play where appropriate, and one-on-one staff interaction. Outdoor activities are weather permitting and are matched to the individual dog. The assessment still applies to every new dog, and it helps us decide what kind of time suits your dog best. Boarding without group play.
What's the difference between boarding and daycare?
Daycare is daytime-only care (8 AM - 6 PM) while you're at work or busy, with no overnight stay. Boarding includes overnight accommodation. Both include supervised play, but boarding also includes evening feeding, bedtime routines, and morning care.
How are dogs grouped during daycare play?
Dogs are grouped by size, age, and temperament to ensure safe, compatible playgroups. Our trained staff continuously monitors all interactions and can adjust groups throughout the day. Dogs that prefer solo play receive individual attention instead.
How much does daycare cost?
Daycare is $30/day for the first dog and $27/day for each additional dog from the same household. We also offer a special: buy 4 days, get the 5th day free! Military and first responder families receive 10% off with valid ID. More about daycare.
Pricing & payments
How much does dog boarding cost at Circle Lake Ranch?
Our boarding rate is $49.44/night for the first dog. For dogs in the same household who can share a kennel, the 2nd dog is $39.14/night and 3rd+ dogs are $28.84/night. A 3% cash discount applies if you pay with cash or check. We offer 10% off for stays of 10+ nights. Call us at (281) 395-4567 for availability. Full price list.
Do you offer discounts for multiple dogs or extended stays?
Yes! We offer 10% off for stays of 10+ nights. Multi-dog families also save: $49.44/night for the first dog, $39.14/night for the second, and $28.84/night for the third+ dog. A 3% cash discount applies for cash or check payments. We also offer 10% military and first responder discounts with valid ID.
Do I need to pay a deposit for boarding?
Major-holiday boarding requires a $100 deposit per kennel ($103 if paid by card), which is noncancellable and nonrefundable and is forfeited if the reservation is cancelled or not used. A 4-night minimum stay applies during major holidays, and there is no additional holiday surcharge. Regular boarding does not require a deposit.
What forms of payment do you accept?
We accept cash, check, and credit or debit cards. Paying by cash or check earns a 3% discount, which is why the first boarding dog is $48 per night with cash or check and $49.44 per night by card.
Food, belongings & medications
Can I bring my dog's own food?
Yes, and we recommend it — keeping your dog on their usual diet avoids stomach upset. House food is available for $10 per day if you prefer. We can feed up to three times daily and accommodate refrigerated, frozen, and raw diets as well as supplements.
What should I bring for my dog's boarding stay?
Bring proof of vaccination, your dog's regular food with written feeding instructions, and any medications with clear dosing directions. Treats are welcome. You may bring your dog's own bed or blanket, though we prefer to use house bedding, and bedding can be laundered during the stay if needed. Please do not bring toys, and no rawhide — it's a choking risk. Label anything you send, and leave valuable or irreplaceable items at home; we can't be responsible for lost or damaged belongings.
Do you administer medications during boarding?
Yes. We administer oral medications and pills, topical medications, and eye and ear medications, multiple times per day when arranged in advance. There is no medication-administration fee, and original labeled containers are not required — clear written dosing instructions are. Injectable medications other than insulin are not administered.
Can you give my dog insulin injections?
Insulin injections can be accommodated only with advance reservation, so we can schedule appropriately trained staff for your dog's stay. Please tell us when you book. Brittle diabetic dogs are not appropriate for routine boarding. Injectable medications other than insulin are not administered.
Facility & overnight presence
Is anyone on the property overnight?
Yes. Our manager lives on the property, providing an on-site presence overnight. Dogs sleep in indoor, climate-controlled kennels, and the facility has temperature alarms, dehumidifiers and an automatic backup generator. That on-site presence should not be read as continuous supervision or veterinary monitoring. It means someone lives here on the ranch — not that dogs are actively watched through the night. See the facility.
Is your facility air-conditioned?
Absolutely! All our indoor kennels and common areas are fully climate-controlled for your pet's comfort year-round. This is especially important during hot Texas summers.
Does Circle Lake Ranch have a backup generator?
Yes. Our facility has an automatic backup generator, along with temperature alarms and dehumidifiers. These are environmental and safety systems — they are not veterinary monitoring and do not guarantee uninterrupted conditions, but they help keep the kennels comfortable during Texas weather and power events.
Do you have outdoor play areas for dogs?
Yes! We have spacious outdoor play yards where dogs can run, play, and socialize under supervision. Our 13-acre ranch setting provides plenty of room for exercise and exploration in a safe, fenced environment.
Can I tour the facility before booking?
We encourage facility tours! Please call ahead to schedule a visit so we can give you our full attention and show you around our boarding areas, play yards, and grooming facilities.
Grooming
What grooming services do you offer and what's included?
We offer baths (shampoo, blow out, ear cleaning, perfume and bandana), full deshed treatments (bath with deshed shampoo/conditioner, blow out, 20 minutes of brushing), maintenance grooms (bath, sanitary shave, paw pad shave, trim around feet and eyes, nail clip), and full grooms (bath, full haircut of your choice, ear cleaning, nail clip). Add-ons include nail dremel, teeth brushing, blueberry facial, and specialty shampoos. More about grooming.
Do you offer grooming services for dogs not staying overnight?
Yes! Our professional grooming services are available for all dogs, not just boarding guests. We offer kennel baths starting at $25 for small dogs, plus add-on services like nail clips, teeth brushing, and de-shed treatments.
Can my dog get groomed during their boarding stay?
Absolutely! Many pet parents schedule grooming at the end of their dog's stay so they go home fresh and clean. Let us know when booking and we'll coordinate grooming with your pick-up time.
PEMF therapy
What is MagnaWave PEMF therapy and how does it help dogs?
MagnaWave PEMF (Pulsed Electromagnetic Field) is a non-invasive modality that applies pulsed electromagnetic fields while your dog rests. We offer it as a wellness session — not veterinary care — with sessions of about 20-30 minutes run by trained staff. Owners most often book it for senior dogs, dogs with joint concerns and active dogs. Please ask your veterinarian whether PEMF is appropriate for your dog's specific health situation. More about PEMF therapy.
How much does PEMF therapy cost?
A single MagnaWave PEMF session is $40, and packages are available. Call (281) 395-4567 to talk through a plan for your dog.
Location & service area
What areas do you serve near Katy, TX?
We proudly serve pet parents from Katy, Fulshear, Richmond, Cinco Ranch, Brookshire, Houston's Energy Corridor, and surrounding areas. Our convenient location at 1134 FM 1463 makes us easily accessible from I-10 and the Grand Parkway.
Do you offer pick-up and drop-off services?
We don't currently offer transportation services, but our central Katy location is convenient for most pet parents in the Greater Houston area. We're located just off FM 1463, easily accessible from I-10 and the Grand Parkway (99).
Still have a question? Call (281) 395-4567 or send us a message.