Why Our Registration Process May Seem Inconvenient, but Is Totally Worth It
A Big Thank You to Our Fetch Parents
First and foremost, we want to extend a heartfelt thank you to all our amazing Fetch Parents who have successfully completed our registration process. You all deserve a medal! Your patience and cooperation mean the world to us.
Now, let's dive into why our registration process might seem a bit inconvenient but is actually quite sensible from our perspective.
Our Commitment to Pet Safety and Well-being
In 2021, we decided to revamp our approach to assessing new clients to better protect the adorable pups entrusted to our care. Our primary goal is always to minimize any risks or threats that might affect our furry guests, and this is just one more step we have taken. At Fetch, we don't believe in taking chances when it comes to the safety and well-being of the dogs placed in our care.
This is why we are not about convenience or being the quick and easy option for just anyone. We are selective because we want to ensure we’re the right fit for every dog and client that comes through our doors. Our comprehensive process allows us to thoroughly understand a dog’s background before they even set paw on our premises. This careful evaluation ensures a positive experience for everyone involved.
The Numbers Behind Our Thorough Process
Believe it or not, only about 20% of the inquiries we receive actually lead to a successful meet-and-greet. This makes us one of the most thorough facilities in the industry. Our evaluation process is based on a spectrum of sociability, and after three years, we’re proud to say our dog aggression incidents are practically non-existent. That’s proof in the pudding!
The Financial Strain and Our Passion for Quality
Maintaining this careful approach does place a significant financial strain on us. We rely heavily on word of mouth to bring in new Fetch Parents, as our chances of being mentioned on large pet forums are very small due to our boutique style of pet care and our small following. However, our passion for providing top-notch care and our commitment to doing things right keep us motivated. We hope you share our enthusiasm for keeping our dogs safe, happy, and changing the way the pet care industry operates. It is definitely an aspect of our journey that we are not only proud of but also unapologetic about, so much so that we have posted on our social media about how Our Registration and Assessment Process is considered inconvenient and results in us loosing a lot of money in the process, but why Fetch Parents should love it.
On a weekly, and sometimes daily basis, we receive messages from people who see the rest of the industry offering hard-to-resist deals that are convenient, easy, cheap and even free. We promise you, we have been there in the past, and it was not motivated by the love for dogs or our need to be surrounded by as many dogs as people are willing to bring through our doors.
This business practice stemmed from the need to make as much money as we could to survive by making it as easy as possible for people to start using our services, taking unnecessary risks on behalf of unsuspecting clients we hope to serve. Yes, you don’t have to read between the lines here—common practice is not always best practice, and we consider this unethical. We simply could not continue to participate in this common practice as it never really aligned with the ethos we operate from. Consider that free and convenient assessment offerings are rather an indication of a provider’s inexperience, need for more clients, or, alternatively, their disregard for the well-being of the dogs left in their care.
The Value of Our Registration & Assessment Process
Why We Charge for Assessments
While many facilities offer free or low-cost assessments, we’ve priced ours not only to reflect the incredible and unique value but also to function as a safety measure. This helps ensure that we discourage pet parents who might try their luck with dogs that have a history, and only those dogs who are a good fit for our environment make it through our process, protecting both our Fetch Players and our community. Sadly, in our industry, where it is uncommon for providers to communicate with each other, information about dogs that have displayed unsafe behavior is not always shared.
Comprehensive Evaluation Process
Our process begins with a 27-question prescreening questionnaire that assesses each dog before they even arrive at Fetch. On the first day of their meet-and-greet, we evaluate 24 different points to determine if we’re a good fit and to understand each dog’s individual social strengths and challenges. This thorough evaluation helps us get to know each individual dog, offer everything possible to set them up for success, and ensures a smooth transition into our care.
Benefits of Our Thorough Approach
Our extensive evaluation process offers several key benefits:
Minimizing Risks: Our careful screening and decision-making prioritize the safety and well-being of our dogs, ensuring that every Fetch Player receives the highest level of care and minimizing opportunities for harm from aggressive and reactive incidents.
Acclimatization and Socialization: We provide 4 days of acclimatization, assessment, and socialization. You will notice when you first arrive that the level of over-arousal among the dogs heightens, making it difficult to get a true read of a dog. Similarly, dogs only start gaining more confidence after several days in the environment, and we only truly see a dog’s true self once they are more comfortable. Therefore, multiple days are the only way to help a dog adapt comfortably to their new environment at their own pace, reducing stress and fostering a positive experience.
Practical Skills and Manners: Our practice sessions, or training as its commonly referred to as, cover essential skills like collar grab conditioning, sit and stay, come to touch, and gate manners. In this way, we work to improve not only recall but also impulse control, almost certainly having a positive impact at home. These practices are a daily occurrence, with skills positively reinforced to ensure your dog thrives.
Additional Perks: We also offer a free nail trimming service to ensure your dog’s nails are well-maintained and to gauge how comfortable they are with grooming. For those boarding, we provide a free tuck-in add-on or the equivalent in daycare add-ons for those who aren’t boarding.
Join Us in Making a Difference
In a world where convenience too often takes precedence over quality, we are committed to a more thoughtful approach to pet care despite the resistance we face. By choosing Fetch, you’re joining a community dedicated to ensuring the well-being of dogs and participating in transforming the pet care industry for the better.