About Us
Details of our pet resort.
Shaker Hill Pet Resort is a safe and clean boarding facility inside the Pittsfield Veterinary Hospital in Pittsfield, MA. Our boarding facility is a member of Pet Care Services.
We have a knowledgeable, friendly staff who care for your furry friends and give them lots of TLC and individual attention. Our staff is here from 7:00 AM-9:00 PM every day during our regular season, and 6:00 AM-9:30 PM during the busy Holiday times.
We offer our services for dogs, cats, ferrets, bunnies, birds, and the occasional beta fish. Besides normal boarding services, we also offer day boarding when space allows.
Our Boarding Requirements
Dogs
Must provide proof of vaccinations from your veterinarian showing your pet is up to date.
- Rabies and DHLPP (Distemper/Parvo) must be current.
- Bordetella (Kennel/Canine Cough Vaccine) must be current. This vaccine must be given to your pet at least 1 week in advance of boarding reservation if it is not already current within a calendar year of the date of stay.
- Canine Influenza Vaccine must be current.
Canine influenza is a highly contagious viral infection affecting dogs and cats. Pittsfield Veterinary Hospital is using the bivalent vaccine for dogs because it is the most protective type, protecting against both strains, H3N8 and H3N2. - No Fleas: If fleas are found on your pet, the Resort staff will apply a topical flea treatment (Advantage/Frontline) or administer a Capstar pill orally at the owner’s expense.
- No Overt Aggression: We reserve the right not to board your pet if the animal is deemed unsafe before or during the stay.
Cats
Must provide proof of vaccinations from your veterinarian showing your pet is up to date.
- Rabies and FVRCP (Distemper/Respiratory Vaccine) must be current.
- No Fleas: If fleas are found on your pet, the Resort staff will apply a topical flea treatment (Advantage/Frontline) or administer a Capstar pill orally at the owner’s expense.
- No Overt Aggression: We reserve the right not to board your pet if the animal is deemed unsafe before or during the stay.
More vaccine details
Vaccines provide protection from a variety of diseases so your pet neither gets nor gives the infection. Most pet care facilities will require distemper and rabies vaccines for dogs and cats. In addition, Bordetella is often required for dogs, and sometimes leukemia for cats.
Here's a look at the components of vaccines. Many vaccine protocols are now beginning to change. You should always talk with your veterinarian about each disease and yearly vaccinations.
Canine distemper vaccine - this is really a composite of several diseases. Depending on the combination your vet uses, it may include some or all of the following: distemper, Canine Hepatitis, Leptospirosis, Parainfluenza, Parvovirus, and Coronavirus.
Bordetella vaccines add additional protection against coughing viruses and are boostered every 6 months to 1 year.
Feline distemper vaccine - this is also a composite, containing mostly upper respiratory diseases (Panleukopenia, Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis, Calici Pneumonitis) since that is what cats are most susceptible to.
Other cat vaccines include Feline Leukemia and Feline Infectious Peritonitis. Your veterinarian can tell you if your cat will need these additional vaccines.
Puppies and kittens receive several vaccines over a period of weeks when they are young. This is to protect them as their mother's immunity slowly wears away. Traditionally dogs and cats receive boosters on a yearly basis following the initial series.
Rabies vaccinations for pets are required by law. Depending on state law, boosters may be yearly, every other year, and even every three years.
Most reputable pet care facilities require proof of vaccination before your pet can board or be admitted into daycare. This is not only for the protection of your pet but for the protection of other pets in the facility's care. Without adequate vaccinations, the facility may not accept your pet.
The content of this article is provided for informational purposes only. You should always consult your veterinarian with concerns about the care of your pet or for medical advice.
The Resort is able to accommodate most special needs from a "dog in a cart", to changing diapers, hand feeding, and giving insulin, or other medications and we especially love our geriatric guests.
Your friend will enjoy their stay in a very loving and quiet facility. Dogs are allowed to run free in our very large, fenced-in, yard unless specified by you to leash walk only. Dogs go outside a minimum of 10 minutes at a time and at least 5 times or more per day depending on occupancy. We love to create playgroups of compatible dogs so if you give us permission we can find a suitable buddy for your friend. Playgroups cannot be guaranteed.
In the separate feline wing, cats are encouraged to come out of their five-story condominium to exercise in the playroom. That is if they want to leave the comfort of their cozy bed set up in front of the picture window looking out onto the rolling hills and bird feeders.
We have more than 3,500 sq. ft. of indoor space and more than one acre of completely fenced-in yard. We also have a full kitchen to accommodate any special nutritional requirement. Besides our kitchen, we are also equipped with a full laundry room enabling us to maintain our high standard of cleanliness and sanitation.
Call us at (413) 499-1580 to schedule your pet's next stay!
