Ruff Club™ is East Village's dog daycare located on 34 Avenue A with over 3,500 Square Feet of room for pups to play. We pride ourselves on staffing our team with professionally trained, experienced dog handlers and behavioralists.
Ruff Club distinguishes itself in the dog daycare and boarding industry through a combination of factors:
These elements combine to create a high-quality, safe, and nurturing environment for dogs, setting Ruff Club apart in the industry.
Think of our membership fee as a maintence fee. This membership fee is vital for maintaining Ruff Club as a high-quality space for all pups that come through our doors. It's reinvested into the club to regularly update our play equipment and maintain our facilities, ensuring a top-notch and fun environment every time. Beyond the space itself, the fee supports the ongoing professional development of our staff, keeping them up-to-date with the latest in pet care to guarantee a safe and enjoyable visit.
At our Ruff Club dog daycare, we welcome all dogs regardless of their size or breed, as our trained staff continuously assesses each pup's behavior and temperament. However, we do have age-related guidelines: puppies under 4 months old are not eligible so we ask temperament tests to be scheduled on their 4 month birthday!
We require dogs to have current vaccinations for their protection. At a minimum, your dog should have core vaccines for rabies, canine parvovirus, infectious hepatitis, canine distemper, and non-core bordetella vaccination. We also accept titers and vet exemptions as proof of immunity.
Complete the online membership form to share some basic information about your pup and schedule a Meet & Greet assessment. This process is designed to ensure that your dog is a good fit for the daycare environment and to determine the most suitable group for them.
Yes! If you have a background in hospitality or pet care and are interested in joining our team, please apply here
Membership purchases and renewals can be refunded within 24 hours of purchase. Unused packages can be refunded within 7 days of purchase. If you have any questions or need further assistance, please feel free to contact us.
We're open Monday to Friday from 7:15 AM to 8:00 PM, and on weekends from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM. There's no need to pre-schedule for daycare; you can drop off your dog at any time that suits you.
During the ~90 minute, free off-leash play assessment, our trained staff carefully introduces your dog to the daycare environment. This introduction starts with interaction with just one other dog and gradually progresses to include more dogs, eventually integrating them with all the pups in their recommended pack. This ensures a comfortable and safe integration into the group, allowing us to closely observe and understand your dog's behavior and compatibility. Our goal is to match each dog with a group where they can feel the safest and happiest, prioritizing both their well-being and social enjoyment.
At Ruff Club, the staff-to-dog ratio is typically one handler for every 10-15 dogs, a standard we take pride in. For days with higher volume, we have additional staff ready to ensure this ratio is maintained. We've also invested in state-of-the-art play area dividers to effectively manage different dog cohorts and play groups. This approach underscores our commitment to providing attentive and safe care for all dogs.
At Ruff Club, the daily schedule for dogs is carefully structured. In the morning, dogs are divided into groups based on temperament and placed in the main enclosure. Throughout the day, they are closely monitored and provided with relief walks and meals as instructed. Our schedule is aligned with academic recommendations for a fulfilling day, including playtime, enrichment activities (like puzzles and training), nap time, meal times, and relief walks, all organized within their specific cohorts for optimal care and interaction.
We offer pick-up and drop-off services at Ruff Club for $15 each. Pick-up services are available from 7:30 AM to 11:00 AM, and drop-off services from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM respectively. You are able to ask us last minute but please try your best to give us advanced notice. Additionally, you are able to ask us to feed your pup and or set them up at home in any way we can help, no extra charge.
To take advantage of our pick up and drop off, we ask that you sign a waiver, provide a spare set of keys, and let us know the instructions to enter your home.
For nervous dogs, Ruff Club takes a systematic and thoughtful approach. We have trained behaviorists who help ease dogs into their new environment. Familiarity with staff and other dogs plays a key role in comforting anxious dogs. We gradually acclimate each dog, often taking 1-4 sessions for them to feel comfortable. Our staff is trained by professional behaviorists to systematically introduce dogs to suitable playgroups based on size and temperament, ensuring they find a compatible and safe group to enhance their happiness.
To keep you updated about your dog during their stay at Ruff Club, we provide daily updates through SMS and MMS instead of simply placing a live streaming on our website. This proactive approach means we can communicate with each parent 1 on 1 to update them on feedings, bathroom breaks, relief walks, and which other dogs they have made friends with. Try texting us at (914) 877-2754 to ask any questions!
At Ruff Club, we know that life can be unpredictable. If you find yourself running late and unable to collect your furry friend by our closing time, a late pickup fee of $15 will be charged. Please note that our doors close at 8 PM on weekdays and 6 PM on weekends. Your cooperation helps ensure our team members can wrap up their day on time. Thank you for your understanding!
We kindly request that you provide at least 24 hours' notice to allow us to plan accordingly.
Our Dog Walking service is for all members, tailored to the need of each pup. Our Dog Walking is ideal for dogs who may not be comfortable around others, those in potty training or those managing reactivity to city hustle. It's also perfect for dogs needing special care during illness outbreaks, including young puppies, elderly dogs, or those with chronic conditions who need a slower, more attentive approach.
Each walk is roughly 60 minutes, ensuring ample time for exercise, exploration, and any specific activities your dog enjoys. We will send updates along the way, informing you of any potty breaks and showing you fun pup pics!
Safety is our priority. We follow strict safety protocols, including leash safety, avoiding crowded areas, and staying away from dog parks. Additionally, since we do walks 1 on 1, we are able to be fully attentive to a dog's behavior and environment.
There is no charge for canceling with over 24 hours notice. Within 24 hours, we will charge a $10 cancellation fee.
Yes, we come pick up your pup at the reserved time at your home and drop them back off after the hour. We do require you to fill out our Pick Up Drop Off Service Agreement and provide us with keys/door code to make the service as seamless as possible.
If you are not a member of Ruff Club, you must pass our off-leash assessment and attend 1-2 days of daycare before booking overnight boarding. This process helps us determine if your dog is suitable for boarding.
If your pup is already a member of Ruff Club, our timeframe for booking is flexible. You can book day of but let us know sooner than later so we can ensure a spot and prepare for your stay!
Check your pup in no later than 2pm for a free afternoon of daycare to ensure they have ample time to tire out and familiarize themselves with the facility.
Check-out for overnight boarding is 11am the next day. If you pick up your pup past 11am, we will add a half day of daycare to your invoice.
If you cancel within 48-hours of your first night of boarding, you will be charged a 50% (plus tax) of your first nights stay.
During daytime activities, they are mingling with their friends in our play area to assure ample of time exercise and mental stimulation.
During bedtime, all dogs are provided with their own private sleeping quarter to ensure their safety and comfort. Each sleeping arrangement is meticulously cleaned and sanitized daily to maintain a healthy environment.
Dogs will share play areas during supervised playtimes. However, they will be housed individually during bedtime for their own safety and appropriate amount of rest.
We strive to maintain a calm and quiet environment to minimize anxiety. Our staff is trained in force-free handling, body language, and behavior management to ensure a stress-free experience for your pet. In moments when your pup may be anxious, we offer pet-safe calming essential oils, and with our permission we can provide natural calming remedies and CBD oil.
At Ruff Club, we are committed to adopting only those suggestions and policies that are grounded in scholarly empirical evidence. Each suggestion we make has the support of in-depth academic research in which professionals have diligently looked into the efficacy and safety of treatments. We direct our clients to comprehensive studies like this one that reinforce the validity of this particular remedy.
Waste is promptly cleaned up and properly disposed of to maintain a sanitary environment. Our cleaning protocols are designed to minimize odors and prevent the spread of disease.
We recommend that you bring your dog’s regular food to maintain consistency in their diet and provide your dog's specific eating instructions, including the time of day and number of meals. However, we do have high-quality dog food available if needed.
During bedtime, pups will be provided with their own private sleeping quarters. If a dog has special requirements, based on a case-by-case basis, specific sleeping arrangements will be implemented. If you have any questions or accommodation needs, call us at 914-877-2754.
We want to ensure we meet your pup's requirements for physical exercise and mental stimulation before bedtime
