General & The Onboarding Process


What is Pawty Mansion?

Pawty Mansion is a licensed, boutique dog daycare and boarding sanctuary located in Kerrisdale, Vancouver. We provide a calm, home-based environment with 24/7 on-site supervision, a large private green space, and a highly curated intake process to ensure every dog thrives.


What does "Alignment" mean?

Pawty Mansion is a low-occupancy sanctuary designed strictly for dogs who thrive in a calm, predictable environment. For us, alignment means a family’s daily routines, communication style, and their dog’s natural temperament inherently support the peaceful rhythm of our resident community.

By partnering exclusively with aligned families, we are able to guarantee the emotionally safe, stable, and sensory-safe environment our clients deeply value.


How do I get started?

All new families begin with our Admission Application. This allows us to understand your dog’s personality, needs, and routine. If the application indicates a potential fit, we will reach out within 24 hours to schedule a mandatory Residency Assessment ($45 evaluation fee).


Why do we require an Admission Application before the Residency Assessment?

Our onboarding sequence is non-negotiable for three critical reasons:

  1. Safety & Compatibility Screening: Free-roaming environments require absolute psychological alignment to protect current residents.
  2. Safeguarding the Sanctuary: Casual "meet and greets" create constant foot traffic and stress. Filtering visits ensures only highly qualified, serious candidates set foot on the property.
  3. Purposeful Assessments: A Residency Assessment is a comprehensive evaluation. The application provides the foundational data needed to tailor that physical assessment.


What is a Residency Assessment?

It is a structured, comprehensive behavioral evaluation conducted over a strict two-hour period. To accurately evaluate how your dog behaves independent of parental cues, owners do not remain onsite. This unaccompanied window allows us to observe your dog's true comfort, temperament, and baseline compatibility.

  • Note: Residency Assessment fees are non-refundable.


Behaviour, Personality, & Safety Quirks


What do we look for in our Admission Process?

Our absolute priority is protecting the safety and emotional wellbeing of our current residents. Because we operate as a small, free-roaming, home-based sanctuary, we maintain a zero-tolerance policy for undisclosed behavioral or medical concerns. We expect a complete, honest, and transparent picture of your dog’s personality—including their quirks and anxieties.


Do we accept dogs with "quirks" and anxieties?

Yes, but transparency is essential. We routinely accommodate unique personalities, but we filter strictly against the following behaviors:

  • Zero Aggression: We maintain an absolute zero-tolerance policy for aggression toward dogs or humans.
  • The Noise, Destruction, & Hyperactivity Rule: We do not accept dogs that cannot settle down, are excessively hyperactive, engage in destructive behavior, or bark incessantly.

If your dog has unique quirks but respects the peace of the pack, they are a fantastic candidate for our admissions process. Please detail their personality fully in your Admission Application so we can tailor their Residency Assessment properly.


Do we accept dogs that bark?

We expect and do not mind normal, instinctual "alert barking" (e.g., a delivery truck arriving or a doorbell ringing). However, we cannot accommodate dogs with persistent, repetitive barking, howling, or continuous separation distress. If your dog struggles to settle or panics when away from you, our model will not be the right operational fit.


What is "Continuous Separation Distress" and why we filter against it?

Continuous separation distress describes a state where a dog experiences an ongoing, unremitting level of high anxiety or panic the entire time they are physically separated from their owner. Unlike a dog with minor quirks that whines for a few minutes and then settles down, a dog with continuous distress remains in a prolonged, elevated state of fight-or-flight, manifesting in nonstop pacing, crying, destructiveness, or hyper-vigilance.

We do not accept dogs experiencing continuous separation distress for two reasons:

  1. It breaks our core sanctuary model: We operate as a quiet, free-roaming, low-volume environment. True continuous distress is highly contagious in a pack dynamic; a panicked dog instantly elevates the stress and anxiety of the other residents, shattering the calm environment our clients pay a premium to secure.
  2. It violates our "Noise & Settle" rule: To maintain emotional attunement and safety, we do not accept admissions for dogs that cannot relax, rest, or settle down independently.

We routinely accommodate unique personalities and mild anxieties, but a dog in a state of ongoing panic requires intensive, 1-on-1 clinical intervention that falls outside the scope of our peaceful residency program.


What if my dog has destructive tendencies?

We understand the difference between normal puppy curiosity and structural destructiveness. Because our home-style sanctuary features premium finishes, we cannot accommodate dogs with destructive tendencies (e.g., chewing door frames, scratching walls/flooring, shredding furniture). All residents must be fully house-trained and capable of respecting a refined residential environment.


Residency Options & Intact Policy


What is Group Environment Residency?

This is our signature home-style experience. Your dog sleeps in a shared, cozy environment with other vetted residents and 24-hour onsite human care. It is designed for social dogs that thrive on companionship and a peaceful, supervised pack.


At what age do dogs need to be neutered/spayed for a Group Residency?

  • Puppies Under 1 Year: We welcome unaltered puppies under 12 months into our group pack, provided they meet our social and vaccination requirements.
  • Adults (12+ Months): Once a dog reaches one year, biological maturity shifts the energy of a pack. To keep everyone safe and stress-free, intact adults are hosted exclusively in our Private Bedroom Residency.


Do we accept Intact (unspayed/unneutered) dogs?

Yes. We believe every dog deserves a safe, high-end sanctuary. To ensure the safety of our entire pack, all intact guests are automatically enrolled in our Private Bedroom Residency.


How do we handle Intact dogs differently?

Intact guests enjoy their stay in a private, cage-free bedroom and participate in Solo Yard time. They have exclusive use of our outdoor space and one-on-one enrichment with us, ensuring zero physical contact with other dogs while still receiving plenty of love and exercise.


What is Private Room Residency?

Our Private Room Residency is a specialized boutique service for intact dogs or dogs that simply prefer their own space and less social interaction. These residents enjoy a dedicated, quiet Mansion bedroom for meals, rest, and sleep.


What if my female dog is in heat?

Mandatory Private Bedroom Residency is strictly required for females in active heat. This provides a specialized, isolated environment that maintains our pristine standards and prevents extreme over-stimulation of our male guests.


Daycare, Boarding, & Stays


How does a Daycare Residency work?

  • Limited Daycare: Families book visits as needed (up to 10 days a month) based on availability on a first-come, aligned-family basis. Unused visits do not roll over to the next month.
  • Unlimited Daycare / Care: Families receive access within their dedicated residency tier.


Why don’t we offer drop-in daycare or casual visits?

Drop-ins create unpredictable energy and disrupt the emotional safety of our curated groups. Our sanctuary model relies entirely on consistency, stability, and attuned care.


Can I pause my Daycare Residency?

  • Limited Daycare: You may pause at any time, but because we are a low-volume sanctuary, your spot is immediately released to the next applicant on the waitlist and cannot be held.
  • Unlimited Daycare/Care: No. These are structured as 12-month commitments and cannot be paused or frozen, as your spot is held exclusively for your family every day of the year.


How does boarding work?

Boarding takes place inside our home, not a kennel. Dogs sleep wherever they feel most comfortable—on beds, couches, or designated quiet areas under 24/7 supervision. Private Bedroom upgrades are available based on comfort and needs.


Is the mansion suitable for long-term stays (30+ days)?

Yes. We specialize in "Extended Residencies" for families who are traveling or relocating. Our home environment allows long-term guests to decompress and maintain a healthy, stable routine without the stress of a commercial kennel.


Do we offer a waitlist for Boarding Residency?

Yes. If the Mansion is at capacity for your preferred dates, you may request to join our Standing Waitlist. We monitor our calendar daily and will contact families in order of alignment should a spot become available. Please note that priority is always given to dogs that have already completed a successful Residency Assessment.


How do I join the waitlist for an Unlimited Membership?

Our Unlimited Memberships are highly exclusive and limited to a small number of families. To join this waitlist, you must already be part of the Mansion Ecosystem. This requires either a history of previous boarding residencies or holding an active Limited Daycare Residency while awaiting a permanent membership opening.

 

Rates, Payments, & Discounts


Do we offer discounts?

To maintain our elite standard of care, we do not offer discounts for first-time guests, multi-dogs, or extended stays. Every dog receives the same highly attuned, individual attention regardless of the duration of their residency.


Why is there an extra fee for Intact dogs?

Because intact guests require dedicated private square footage and 1-on-1 staffing for all outdoor activities, they are booked under our Private Bedroom Residency rate. This premium service reflects the individualized care and total separation required to maintain a stress-free environment for everyone.


"I am primarily looking for the most budget-friendly option, is Pawty Mansion the right fit for me?"

No. If budget is your primary deciding factor, Pawty Mansion will not be the right fit. We are the intentional antithesis of a high-volume, warehouse-style commercial kennel. Our model is designed exclusively for discerning families who prioritize elite care, private estate amenities, and 24/7 psychological safety over the lowest daily rate.


Is full payment required to book?

Yes, full payment is required at the time of booking to reserve your dog’s space with confidence.

  • Financial Flexibility: For families who prefer added flexibility, Afterpay is available for Boarding Residencies upon request.
  • Split Payments: If a high-value, long-term residency exceeds your Afterpay spending limit, we can split the payment (maximize Afterpay for one portion, settle the balance via e-transfer).
  • Other Methods: We accept all major credit cards, Apple Pay, and e-transfer.


Do we offer refunds?

Bookings are non-refundable, as we reserve space for a very small number of dogs. If your plans change, we are happy to offer a credit for future use or reschedule your booking to another available date.


Is there any options for frequent guests?

While we do not offer traditional discounts, we provide Annual Memberships for families who value ongoing, consistent care. Details can be found on our Residency Rates page.


Preparation & Logistics


What should I bring for daycare/boarding?

  • Please Bring: Only your dog’s regular food and any required medication. (We are fully capable of administering routine oral, topical, or scheduled medications).
  • Do Not Bring: Personal items like blankets, toys, or comfort objects for group environments, as they can trigger resource guarding.
  • Note: If your dog is booked into a Private Room, you are welcome to bring personal items for that specific space.


What are the vaccination requirements?

All dogs must be up to date on core vaccinations and flea/tick prevention. Proof of vaccination is required before any assessment or booking.


Can a new applicant book a spot for next week or handle an immediate care need?

No. To maintain tranquility, we do not accommodate last minute or emergency bookings for new applicants. Our structured onboarding process requires a minimum 30-day runway. We recommend submitting your Admission Application 4 to 6 weeks in advance.


Transparency, Tours, & Communication

Can I get a tour or get the exact address before applying?

To preserve absolute security, tranquility, and a baseline of peace for our current residents, we do not offer tours and our address is not listed publicly. Introducing outside foot traffic, unfamiliar scents, and continuous disruptions compromises the environment. We are located in the heart of Kerrisdale (convenient to YVR), and our precise address is shared exclusively after an Admission Application is reviewed, approved and an assessment is scheduled.


How do we communicate with parents during a stay?

We provide updates, photos, and check-ins through our client portal. Additionally, parents have 24/7 access to our client-dedicated WhatsApp.


How do I contact Pawty Mansion?

  • For Existing Mansion Families: Established families have direct, 24/7 access to our dedicated client WhatsApp and priority phone line.
  • For Prospective Families: To protect our residents' calm environment, all new relationships must begin with our Admission Application. We personally review every application to ensure our setting is the right fit. If we believe we are a match, we will reach out within 24 hours.


Why don't we accept phone calls from prospective families?

Our first responsibility is always to the dogs currently in our care. Keeping our days free from unexpected phone interruptions allows us to stay fully present with the pack. Most early questions are best answered through our website and Admission Application.


What types of dogs are a good fit for Pawty Mansion? / Do we have breed restrictions?

We believe in the individual, not the label. From the smallest toy breeds to the largest gentle giants, every dog is welcome to apply. We welcome dogs who thrive in a real home environment, whether they’re confident social butterflies or sensitive, quirky, and emotionally complex souls. Rather than breed bans, we focus strictly on temperament and biological compatibility to determine the best fit for our specialized model.