Whiskers and Paws Pet Resort in South Carolina: What to Expect During Your Pet's Stay

What Whiskers and Paws Pet Resort Offers

Whiskers and Paws Pet Resort is a boarding and daycare facility in South Carolina where you can leave your dog or cat while you travel, work, or handle personal matters. The resort provides overnight boarding, day programs, and grooming services in a facility designed to keep pets active, comfortable, and supervised by trained staff.

Unlike pet sitting in your home, a resort is a centralized location where multiple pets stay together in a structured environment. Staff members are on-site during business hours and often overnight, which means your pet has immediate access to care if something goes wrong. The facility typically includes play areas, climate-controlled rooms, and feeding schedules that match your pet's routine at home.

Key Takeaways

• Whiskers and Paws accepts dogs and cats for overnight boarding, day programs, and grooming, with rates and availability varying by season and how far in advance you book.
• You will need to provide your pet's medical history, current medications, dietary needs, and emergency contact information before the first stay.
• Most resorts require proof of current vaccinations, particularly rabies and DHPP for dogs or FVRCP for cats, before boarding begins.
• The facility operates on set hours, so you must drop off and pick up your pet within those windows, unlike pet sitting which comes to your home.
• Grooming services, special diets, and behavioral accommodations may cost extra beyond the base boarding rate.

What to Bring and Prepare Before Your Pet's Stay

Before dropping your pet at Whiskers and Paws, gather your pet's medical records, a list of current medications with dosing instructions, and any special dietary information. Bring enough of your pet's regular food for the entire stay—most resorts do not stock specialty diets or prescription foods. Pack comfort items like a favorite toy or blanket that smells like home, which can reduce stress during the stay.

Write down your pet's routine: feeding times, bathroom schedule, any behavioral quirks, and what calms them if they become anxious. Include your veterinarian's name and phone number, your emergency contact, and any behavioral notes (for example, "nervous around other dogs" or "needs medication at 6 a.m."). The staff uses this information to keep your pet as close to their normal routine as possible.

Confirm the facility's vaccination requirements in advance. Most resorts require proof of current rabies vaccination for dogs and cats, DHPP (distemper, hepatitis, parvovirus, parainfluenza) for dogs, and FVRCP (feline viral rhinotracheitis, calicivirus, panleukopenia) for cats. Some also require Bordetella (kennel cough) vaccination, particularly if your pet will be in group play areas. If your pet's vaccinations are not current, contact your veterinarian to update them before your reservation date.

Boarding Rates and Seasonal Availability

Whiskers and Paws charges by the night for overnight boarding, with rates that typically vary based on your pet's size, the season, and how far in advance you book. Peak travel seasons—holidays, summer vacation, and spring break—often fill up weeks or months ahead and may have higher nightly rates. Off-season bookings made with advance notice are usually less expensive and easier to schedule.

Day programs, where your pet stays for a few hours during business hours without overnight boarding, cost less than full boarding. Grooming services, special dietary accommodations, and behavioral support (such as extra attention for anxious pets) are usually charged as add-ons to the base rate. Contact the resort directly for current pricing, availability for your travel dates, and any package discounts for multiple pets or extended stays.

How Drop-Off and Pick-Up Work

Whiskers and Paws operates on set business hours, so you must drop off your pet within a specific window—typically morning hours—and pick up within another window, often late afternoon or early evening. Unlike pet sitting, which comes to your home on your schedule, a resort requires you to work within their hours. If you cannot make the standard drop-off or pick-up times, ask whether the facility offers early drop-off or late pick-up for an additional fee.

On drop-off day, plan to spend 10 to 15 minutes checking in: providing your contact information, reviewing your pet's medical and behavioral notes with staff, and signing any liability waivers. The staff will ask you to demonstrate how your pet eats, takes medication, or responds to commands so they can replicate your routine. On pick-up day, ask the staff how your pet behaved, whether they ate well, and whether anything unusual happened during the stay.

What Happens During Your Pet's Day at the Resort

A typical day at Whiskers and Paws includes scheduled feeding times (usually matching what you do at home), supervised play or exercise, rest periods in a climate-controlled room, and one-on-one attention from staff. Dogs often participate in group play sessions with other dogs, while cats typically stay in quieter, individual spaces. The facility monitors your pet's eating, bathroom habits, and behavior throughout the day.

Staff members watch for signs of stress, illness, or injury. If your pet refuses food, shows signs of illness, or has a behavioral issue, the staff will contact you or your emergency contact. Some resorts offer photo or video updates during your pet's stay so you can see how they are doing. Ask whether Whiskers and Paws provides updates and how often, since this varies by facility.

Health and Safety Standards at the Facility

Whiskers and Paws maintains health and safety protocols to prevent the spread of illness among boarded pets. The facility should have separate areas for dogs and cats, climate control to prevent overheating or chilling, and regular cleaning of sleeping areas, food bowls, and play spaces. Ask about their protocol for sick pets: whether they isolate animals showing signs of illness and whether they contact your veterinarian if your pet becomes unwell during the stay.

Confirm that staff members are trained in pet first aid and CPR, and that a veterinarian is on call or nearby in case of emergency. Ask what happens if your pet needs urgent medical care: whether the facility has an agreement with a local emergency veterinary clinic and whether they will contact you before proceeding with treatment. Understanding these policies before your pet's first stay prevents confusion if an emergency occurs.

Grooming Services and Add-On Options

Many pet resorts, including Whiskers and Paws, offer grooming as an add-on service during your pet's boarding stay. Grooming typically includes bathing, nail trimming, ear cleaning, and brushing, with prices varying by your pet's size and coat type. Some facilities offer full grooming packages (bath, haircut, nail trim, ear cleaning) or à la carte services where you pay for only what you need.

If you want grooming during your pet's stay, mention it when you book and provide grooming preferences: whether you want a full haircut, a bath and trim, or just nail care. Bring any grooming tools or products your pet is used to, and let the groomer know about any skin sensitivities or behavioral issues (for example, anxiety around nail trimmers). Grooming adds to your total bill but can be convenient if you want your pet to come home clean and well-groomed.

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I do if my pet has never been boarded before?

Start with a short day program or a single overnight stay to see how your pet adjusts. Bring familiar items like a blanket or toy, and stay calm during drop-off—pets pick up on your anxiety. Ask staff for feedback after the first stay so you can address any issues before a longer booking.

Can my pet stay if they are on medication?

Yes. Bring all medications in their original labeled bottles with clear dosing instructions. Show staff how to administer the medication during check-in, and confirm they understand the schedule. Some resorts charge an extra fee for administering medications.

What if my pet has behavioral issues or is aggressive toward other pets?

Tell staff about any aggression, anxiety, or behavioral concerns during check-in. The facility may place your pet in a separate area away from group play, or they may decline to board your pet if they cannot safely manage the behavior. Honesty about your pet's temperament keeps both your pet and others safe.

How do I know if Whiskers and Paws is the right choice for my pet?

Visit the facility in person before booking to see the sleeping areas, play spaces, and how staff interact with pets. Ask about their experience with your pet's breed or age group, and request references from other pet owners. Trust your instinct—if the facility feels clean, well-organized, and staffed by people who genuinely care for animals, it is likely a good fit.

What happens if I need to cancel or change my reservation?

Ask about the cancellation policy when you book. Most resorts require cancellation within a certain number of days to avoid a fee, and some charge a deposit that is non-refundable if you cancel within a short window. Understand the policy before you commit so you know what to expect if your plans change.