Frequently Asked Questions

Founded in 2002, PupCulture is one of the original pioneers of dog daycare in New York City. We pride ourselves on treating your pets with the same kindness and affection they receive at home. PupCulture is more than just a daycare; it's a second home where your pup makes new friends, both canine and human, and enjoys fun-filled days in a safe, clean environment. Today, PupCulture has five locations across the NYC region, each providing daycare, boarding, grooming, and walking services.

Membership costs either $12.50 per month or $135 annually.

With membership, you get access to cheaper rates for daycare, walks, and boarding (check out our packages). Depending on how frequently you plan to use PupCulture's services, you can choose from different packages that offer discounts, including 7, 12, or 24 class packages of half or full days for daycare, regularly scheduled walks, and discounted rates for overnight stays. The larger the package, the lower the cost per day of daycare, walks, or boarding. To choose the right package, consider how often you expect to bring your dog to daycare or use walking services, and clearly understand the pricing and expiration dates of each package. Transparency is key to building trust and ensuring you get the best value for your money.

Additionally, our membership ensures a consistent and stable pack for daycare, which helps maintain a safe and harmonious environment. Regular attendance reduces the risk of conflicts and disruptions, promoting a secure and enjoyable daycare experience for all dogs.

No membership is required to enjoy PupCulture's services. All dogs are welcome to use our daycare, overnight boarding, dog walking, and grooming services. However, non-members will have a slightly higher rate for daycare, boarding, and walking services.

If you'd like to use our daycare or boarding services, the first step is a 60-minute Meet & Greet where we get to know your pup and introduce them to the pack. It's charged at our half-day rate, and your dog is welcome to stay and play for the rest of the day; past 4.5 hours it's charged as a full day.

For walking only, sign up on the website and mention you'd like membership for the better walking rate.

No — every dog is welcome here whatever their size or breed. What we do need is current vaccinations: rabies, DHLPP (the combination shot covering distemper, hepatitis, parainfluenza and parvovirus) and Bordetella.

For daycare or boarding, your pup comes in for a Meet & Greet first. It isn't a test — it's an hour with our team learning how they like to play so we can place them in the right group.

If you expect to be delayed, please give us advance notice so our overnight team can prepare and have your dog’s things packed by the door.

Our closing hours are 8 PM on weekdays and 6 PM on weekends. Pickups after those times incur a $15 charge for every 15 minutes, up to the cost of a single night of boarding. When we don’t hear from you and more than an hour has passed, your pup will be checked in for an overnight stay.

To prepare for your pup's stay:
1) Bring pre-portioned, labeled meals so we can easily follow their diet.

2) Provide any necessary medications with clear instructions.

3) Include a comfort item with your scent, like a blanket or an unwashed shirt, to help them feel at home.

4) Arrive on time for check-in to ensure your pup gets exercise and stimulation before bedtime. Please avoid bringing toys.

Check-in is preferably an hour before close. However, feel free to come earlier so your pup has plenty of time to play and tire out, ensuring a good night's sleep.

Boarding check-out is 11 AM on your collection day. Pick up after that and the rest of the day is billed as a half day of daycare — your pup joins the group and gets a proper afternoon rather than waiting in their suite.

You can cancel free of charge any time up to 24 hours before check-in. Within that final day, and for no-shows, we bill half of the first night. If your dates have moved rather than fallen through, tell us and we'll rebook the stay rather than charge you for it.

Yes, there is a $10 surcharge for day-of-walk requests. We plan our staff schedule over a week in advance, so the $10 upcharge ensures we can staff appropriately and get the walk done on time!

A Full Grooming service is an all-inclusive package designed for a complete makeover. It includes a haircut and styling, a bath, a thorough brush-out, nail clipping, ear cleaning, a sanitary trim, gland expression, and teeth cleaning (if you provide a toothbrush).

In contrast, a Bath & Brush-Out service focuses on essential grooming and coat care. This service includes a bath, a thorough brush-out, nail clipping, ear cleaning, a sanitary trim, gland expression, and teeth cleaning (if you provide a toothbrush).

The primary difference between the two is that Full Grooming includes a haircut and styling, while the Bath & Brush-Out is centered on maintaining cleanliness and coat health without a haircut.

Yes. You only pay a single membership fee however many dogs you bring, and on top of that two dogs from the same family get 10% off and three get 15%. The discount applies to daycare, boarding, walking and pick-up and drop-off. Grooming isn't included.

A meet and greet assessment is required to utilize daycare and boarding services. However, a meet and greet is not required for dog walking or grooming services. Meet & Greets cost a half day of daycare (or full day price for stays longer than 4.5 hours).

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if you cancel with less than 24 hours' notice, you will be charged a $25 cancellation fee. This policy helps us manage our schedule and ensures that our walkers are fairly compensated for their time. In the event of serious weather conditions, we of course will waive this fee!

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Yes, we ask that you provide a designated area where the walker can easily find your pup's essentials. This includes jackets or sweaters, a towel for rainy days, a leash, and any other necessary items for each walk. Having paw wax for winter and summer days, wipes, treats, and a rain jacket available ensures that your dog is well-prepared and comfortable, no matter the weather conditions. This will ensure the walker doesn't open any cabinets or go into any area's they aren't suppose to while looking for your dogs items.

We try our best to ensure the same walker for each walk. However, we recommend having 2 or 3 walkers who know your pup. This ensures that there is always someone familiar with your dog's needs and routines in case your primary walker is on vacation, sick, or has to take a day off. This approach helps maintain consistency and comfort for your dog.

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Please provide detailed notes and pictures of where your pup's items are located. We will log this information in our portal and share it with our walkers, or you can add it to your profile yourself. This ensures that all necessary instructions and details are readily available, allowing the walker to provide the best care for your pet.

Our staff will let you know if your pup isn't eating by the second meal of their stay. On the third meal, we will try our house food (pumpkin, rice, or chicken) to ensure they are getting some nutrients! If your dog still doesn't feel like eating, we highly recommend that you have something transported to us to help entice your dogs appetite.

We are happy to provide house food. If the stay is longer than a few nights, we ask that you send food to our store via Amazon, Uber Eats, or Chewy, and we will be sure to portion the food out as per your instructions. This ensures your pup is well-fed and comfortable during their stay with us.

If you can't pick up your dog within the cut-off time, there will be a late check-out fee for daycare. If you arrive after 8 PM from Monday to Friday or after 6 PM on Saturday and Sunday, you will be charged an additional $15 per $15 minutes. After an hour, we will include your pup in our boarding protocols

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For a full day of daycare, we send one pupdate during the day.For dog walks, we will send one pupdate at the end of the walk letting you know if/when they take care of their business.For boarding, we will ensure to send additional photos before bed and first thing in the morning!

No, we do not. Instead, we now provide daily text updates that allow us to send clients photos and videos of their pets throughout the day. While we understand the appeal of live stream cameras, we have opted not to use them due to past issues where pet owners have gotten into altercations with one another. This led to unnecessary conflicts, and we believe the potential risks of live streaming outweigh the benefits. Our goal is to ensure a positive experience for both pets and their owners. Plus, pet parents really love our text updates throughout the day! 

Yes, of course! Additionally, at the end of each grooming appointment, we take pictures so you can reference them for the next time.

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The price stays the same. Our grooming rates are set by the appointment as a whole rather than itemised, so leaving out one element doesn't bring the total down. Shampoo is the one exception — bring your own and we'll take the $8.50 off.

At bedtime, each pup will enjoy their own spot in our boarding area, cleaned and sanitized daily to maintain a healthy environment. If your dog has any special requirements or preferences, such as sleeping on a bed instead of a crate, we are more than happy to accommodate. Please feel free to call or text us with any specific needs!

You only pay a single membership fee regardless of how many dogs you bring.

On top of that, two dogs from the same family get 10% off and three get 15% off, applied to daycare and boarding rates. Grooming is excluded from the discount.

After you sign up on for your first appointment on our website, our staff will review your info and create a Gingr profile for you. Your Pet Parent Portal can be accessed via https://pupculture.portal.gingrapp.com Use the code 338768 to find pupculture on Gingr's pet parents mobile app.

Yes, you can let us know which days during the week you would like to schedule your recurring daycare with pick-up and/or drop-off. We will happily schedule them for you, and you can pause or cancel them at any time with no penalty if you cancel with at least 24 hours' notice. Or, book them yourself in the Gingr portal! 

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The duration of your dog’s grooming can range anywhere from 1 hour to 4 hours. This duration depends on your dog’s hair type, hair length, and hair condition, as well as your dog’s size, the style of the cut you have requested, and any add-ons you have chosen. Once you schedule your appointment with us, our staff can quote you on your dog’s approximate grooming appointment duration.

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The medications we administer are as follows: eye ointments and eye drops, ear wipes, ear drops, and ear cleaning solutions, skin creams and skin ointments, paw soaking solutions, oral pills, oral capsules, and oral liquid medications.

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Please bring pill pockets, cheese, plain low-fat cream cheese, or peanut butter to help the staff administer the medication to your dog!

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If you are unable to pick them up right away, we can either have them wait in a crate in the grooming room or, if they have previously attended our daycare, we can place them in the daycare to play until you return. We recommend your dog waits no more than an hour or two in the crate in case they need to use the bathroom.

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We're all human. We know people forget about the package expiration. So, we allow pup parents to have one courtesy extension, in which we will extend the package by a month.

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Yes, we require a 25% down deposit for non-member boarding reservations.

If you'd like your pup to board on the same day as their Meet & Greet, we take payment for the full stay at the time of booking — that holds the space while they settle in with us.

Yes, we certainly provide rest periods upon request. Our counselors also have the discretion to give dogs rest periods as needed. After lots of play, it's important for dogs to have time to decompress. Just like humans, dogs can become overstimulated and tired from intense activity. Providing a quiet space for rest helps them relax, recover, and avoid stress or agitation. This downtime ensures that your dog stays healthy, happy, and ready for more fun later.

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Dogs in daycare are cohorted based on their size, temperament, and play style. This ensures that each dog has a safe and enjoyable experience, playing with other dogs that match their energy level and social behavior. Our staff carefully observes and assesses each dog to determine the best group for them.

The frequency of grooming depends on your dog's breed, coat type, and lifestyle. Generally, dogs with longer coats may need grooming every 4-6 weeks, while short-haired breeds may only need grooming every 8-12 weeks. Consulting with our groomer will help determine the best schedule to achieve and maintain your dog's desired look and health. Establishing a recurring grooming schedule can ensure your dog stays clean, healthy, and looking their best.

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Yes! You can request a specific groomer for your dog. To ensure you secure grooming with your preferred groomer, please ask about their availability and consider booking your next session in advance. This way, you can maintain continuity and keep your dog comfortable with a familiar groomer.

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While we highly recommend booking your grooming session in advance to ensure availability, we do offer walk-in grooming services based on our schedule and groomers' availability. However, booking ahead is the best way to guarantee your preferred time and groomer.

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Yes, we can groom dogs with special needs. Please inform the front desk about your dog's specific requirements so we can arrange for the right groomer who specializes in those needs. This ensures your dog receives the best care and attention during their grooming session.

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We move them somewhere quiet away from the group and give them one-on-one care. Our team will try to work out what's going on and then call you to talk it through, with a recommendation on next steps. We're not vets, so anything clinical goes to a vet — and if it's urgent we'll get them seen immediately and call you straight away.

All of our sales are final. This includes packages — once a package has been used, it can no longer be refunded.

For grooming, your pup's fresh look matters to us! If you'd like any small adjustments, just let our team know before you head out and we'll gladly take care of it. Once your pup leaves the store and you've given us the thumbs up, the service is considered final.

Yes — each package has an expiration date. We'll send reminders as it approaches so you have time to use your days. Once a package expires, unused days can't be redeemed or refunded.

It depends on the service. Daycare: no fee — just let us know when you can. Boarding: late cancellations and no-shows are charged 50% of the first night. Grooming: a $50 fee applies to late cancellations and missed appointments.

No problem at all — just let us know and we'll happily adjust your check-out date and update your reservation.

Yes, but please let us know at least 24 hours in advance. For early check-in, there is a $15 fee for every 15 minutes before opening.

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At Pupculture we offer a Price Match Guarantee on grooming within a 10-block radius of your location.

If you've found a lower price for the same grooming service nearby, bring in a receipt from the last calendar year showing the service and the price paid, and we'll match it.