COVID-19 Protocols and Guidelines
Updated May 2022
P.E.T.S. is making adjustments in order to safely hold puppy socials during the pandemic.
Please read the following carefully and contact us if you have any questions.
How is P.E.T.S. Socials operating during COVID?
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All new attendees must attend a Level 1 Social!
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Level 1 Small/Shy Pups are super shy or small dogs (toy/mini breeds/under 10 pounds)
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Level 1 Beginner Pups are puppies still gaining their confidence and less rambunctious puppies
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Levels 2-4 are by invite only. All signups for Level 2-4 socials will need to be approved by the P.E.T.S. team
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Each social is 40 minutes long. The max capacity for Small/Shy socials is twelve (12) puppies. All other socials have a max capacity of ten (10) puppies.
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Advance signup is required
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Socials are $20 per session
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To give as many puppies the chance to attend a social, P.E.T.S. may need to limit each puppy to a maximum of two socials per week. If you sign up for more than two sessions per week, P.E.T.S. reserves the right to waitlist you for the additional sessions
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Anyone under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. This will be strictly enforced!
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Any surfaces in with the play area will be sanitized before and after each social
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At least one trainer will be inside the play area to manage each session
- Please visit the "Socials" page to view and sign up for a puppy social. Socials may need to be cancelled or rescheduled at any time at P.E.T.S.' discretion
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Cancellations with at least 24 hours' notice will receive a full refund. Even if you must cancel within 24 hours, please do so, to open up the spot to another puppy and to help Pet Food Express manage store capacity
What hasn’t changed?
P.E.T.S. Rules and Policies
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On-time arrival is required
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Puppies must be under 18 weeks to attend their first social
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Puppies may continue to attend socials as long as they remain social although priority will be given to puppies under 18 weeks of age. If your puppy is over 18 weeks old but you are still interested in bringing them to socials, please Contact Us to discuss
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One guardian 18 years of age or older must accompany each puppy throughout the social.
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Proof of at least the first round of vaccinations must be submitted during registration or at the first social
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For the safety of all dogs, bring your puppy on a flat collar and leash (non-retractable). NO metal, slip, flea, or spiked collars. Harnesses, clothing, flea collars, and any other management tools need to be removed before play
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Puppy socials are intended as a safe place for friendly pups to socialize. Please note that this is not an environment to work on behavior issues
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Socials are not necessarily appropriate for every dog and the trainer(s) on duty are qualified to
make that assessment if necessary. Trainer(s) reserve the right to excuse any pup from socials
for any reason
Upon Arrival:
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P.E.T.S. will follow all applicable state and local guidance and Pet Food Express rules regarding face masks. Please visit https://covid19.ca.gov/ and https://covid19.sccgov.org/home for the latest updates from the State of California and Santa Clara County Department of Public Health
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Potty your puppy and offer water before you enter the store. P.E.T.S. will not be able to provide water for your dog
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Bring plenty of high-value treats for your puppy. Trainers will also have treats to assist with training. Please inform trainers upon arrival if your puppy has any food allergies
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No restrooms available in the store, sorry! At this time, the store’s restroom is for employees only
During the Social:
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Once inside the gate, keep your puppy on-leash until directed otherwise by P.E.T.S. trainers. This is a good chance to practice sits, downs, and stays with your puppy!
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Trainers will come around to check you in and review your puppy's vaccination records, if needed
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Trainers will have you practice recalls, sits, and downs with your puppy throughout the social
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If at any time during the social you have a question or are uncomfortable with anything that involves your puppy, please get the attention of the trainers to discuss. If your question requires a longer discussion, trainers may schedule a separate time with you
At the End of the Social:
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Trainers will instruct everyone to recall their puppy and put them on leash.
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Remain in the play area with your puppy on leash until the trainers call you forward to leave through the opposite gate from where you entered
If at any time the trainers or Pet Food Express employees feel that a situation becomes unsafe for you, your puppy, or the trainers, P.E.T.S. trainers and Pet Food Express employees reserve the right to excuse your pup from puppy socials for any reason.
By signing up for and attending P.E.T.S. Socials, you are confirming that in the last 14 days:
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you have not tested positive for COVID-19
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you have not had any symptoms of COVID-19
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you have not come into contact with anyone who has tested positive for COVID-19
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If you sign up for a puppy social but can no longer attend, please log into your Account, where you can cancel or reschedule. This way, we can fill your spot with a waitlisted puppy and Pet Food Express can adjust their store capacity count.
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Please understand that these protocols may change at any time. If they do, we will inform you by email.
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Thank you so much for your patience and understanding as we navigate these uncommon times, and for your commitment to safety. We look forward to seeing you and your puppy soon!
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- The P.E.T.S. Socials Team
