Interactive Play Facility for Overnight & Daycare
Caring for our campers since 1996
Located in Cary, NC
About Camp Canine
Please take a minute and read all about Camp Canine.
How Camp started...
Creator and owner of Camp Canine, Suzanne Keeys had a beloved dog that she refused to leave in a traditional kennel. When she thought about the reasons for her reservations, she concluded that she would feel more comfortable leaving her dog at a less confining, less routine-destructive environment, more like a camp for canines! With that, the idea of Camp Canine was born and we opened in 1996.
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From the beginning we realized how hard it would be to provide a routine that was totally against the flow of a traditional kennel. But we concentrated on how important it was for pack animals to be in an environment that was interactive, social, and allowed dogs to be dogs. With great motivation, we developed a facility and a routine that provides the most beneficial environment and schedule for our furry family members!
Camp's Facility
The unique state-of-the-art building was carefully designed and custom built in 2001.
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Inside there are 14,000 square feet with no chain link or kennels. The entire building has only rooms for campers.
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The heating and air conditioning units are separate for each cabin, providing each cabin an individual air system.
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Emergency backup power is available.
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A 24-hour security system with a 24-hour recording surveillance system and many cameras throughout the facility.
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Web access to these cameras is available for management.
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The entire interior flooring system where the campers are is an epoxy surgical-grade flooring that is antibacterial.
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Two built-in steam cleaning units (one in each wing).
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24-hour monitored fire protection.
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Music 24 hours a day inside the entire facility.
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TVs in the community areas.
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Windows in 50% of the rooms.
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Complete workstations with refrigerator and microwaves for campers’ necessities.
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Over 16,000 square feet of outside play areas for separate grouping.
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6,550 square feet of covered outside play areas.
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Additional ¾ acre opens to an outside play area.
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NCAD compliance in the outer play areas for ground covering.
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6-foot fencing around all outside immediate play areas.
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8-foot perimeter security fence around the entire facility, including all outside play areas.
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Outdoor music during the day.
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Built-in pool with additional circulation systems for cleaning.
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Camp's Philosophy
Our philosophy, psychological needs are just as important as the physical when caring for animals™, is the foundation of our services. Whether your family member is staying with Camp Canine for the day or as an overnight guest, your camper will enjoy the benefits of our founding philosophy. These benefits include the company of well-screened canine companions, supervision by professional staff, freedom of playing, sleeping, going outside, or hanging out inside.
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At Camp Canine, we recognize that being away from home and having a new routine can be stressful for many dogs. This is why we use positive methods of care that allow dogs to have confidence in themselves and adapt more quickly while away from their family and home. This includes providing a superior psychological environment optimized to minimize stress.
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All dogs have very different personalities and emotions (just like people do), and they express and process those emotions differently. Our evaluation and screening routines allow us to identify the needs of each dog and implement solutions to enhance the camper’s stay. As dogs grow we continue to monitor them and observe their needs to adapt their care as they age.
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Our practice of individual involvement is the reason we coined the phrase Totally Interactive Canine Facility®. We do not just socialize or house dogs, but we are involved with each dog on a personal level no matter how many are at camp. This is a characteristic of Camp Canine that has never and will never change. This is also the reason why we have a 24-hour caretaker and run 2-3 shifts of staff 365 days per year.
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Perhaps the most unique quality of Camp Canine is that we consider our campers to be our members - not the drivers who drop them off. We know that by maintaining a facility and running a business that puts the dogs first, we will also make their parents happy!
Apples to Oranges
Our routine is “Apples to Oranges” in comparison
Our track record has proven over the years that our routine addresses both the physical and psychological needs of dogs, resulting in happier, better adjusted campers. Dogs do not need to be confined twenty hours a day when away from home, this idle time can cause stress and high levels of separation anxiety. We are not a “kennel”, we are a benchmark facility specializing in interactive care. There have been many new organizations attempting to mimic Camp; however, no others have duplicated our meticulous routine or detailed facility design. We understand the logistical and financial reasons they have not; but we believe that the benefits the campers receive far outweigh the costs. These traits set Camp Canine apart, and therefore we cannot be compared to other kennels, as it would be comparing apples to oranges.
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Our staff starts every day at 7am and is here until around 9-10pm.
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For overnights, the day starts and ends with potty time . The campers have the opportunity for pack greetings with their pals to allow them to play and socialize, this alleviates alone time. While other places end the day earlier, we go beyond the standard practice by allowing evening social time outside. There are no extra charges for these services.
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We feed the campers their own diet at no extra charge and monitor their eating. We don’t feed a “kennel diet” as this disrupts their digestive system. We require a minimum of 1 hour rest before and after meals. Clock watching with food intake is not a normal procedure with kennels, but this procedure helps prevent stomach problems and major health issues like bloat.
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We record every camper’s food intake. For anyone not eating, we will hand feed or try adding approved things like yogurt, cheese, or canned chicken. We do whatever is needed to help them be comfortable and get their nutrition. Recording times and allowing staff to spend time making the dogs comfortable at mealtime is unique to Camp.
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We administer any medication as instructed with no extra charge.
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We provide necessary medical care, extra attention, extra time for meals, hand feeding, adding yogurt, cheese, peanut butter to give pills, all without extra charges, we absorb the costs of the items, putting the needs of the campers as our priority.
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Throughout the day, campers are all cared for individually even though we accommodate many campers of differing ages and needs. Special needs are met, and we pay close attention to the happiness and comfort of campers in playgroup. We monitor the temperature and weather and give extra breaks inside if needed. We aim to give campers as much time outside as possible with a minimum of four outings per day for overnight. We do not charge extra for playtime, this time always comes with the payment for an overnight visit.
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Campers that need extra breaks are allowed that time inside, but the campers are never put in their rooms and left for the entire day or put in a confined space. Inside breaks will either be in an individual room or in an indoor play room, depending on a camper’s needs.
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Our staff finishes up around 10pm. The last step is checking on every camper, then the counselors lock up and leave for the night. We have a caretaker that lives on the premises and is here for major emergencies, poor weather, or just in case a camper needs to be checked on late at night. We understand that having a caretaker provides the peace of mind to families leaving their fur family overnight.
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Camp has had these routines since we started in 1996 and the staffing routine does not waver seven days per week, 365 days per year, and never will. Even holidays are fully staffed and follow our normal routine.
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We maintain a high standard of employees and hire only full time staff. We dedicate a considerable amount of time and financial resources into training for all staff with the skills and knowledge to maintain the health and safety of the campers. We do not hire seasonal help for this reason.
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Our staff keeps up with a mountain of paperwork and reports. Everything from potty breaks, feedings, medications, and behavior are all recorded with times, dates, and staff initials. This is above and beyond what is required by licensing.
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The staff uses written notations and verbal communications throughout the day to stay informed and up to date on each camper in our care. Each day we close from 11:30am to 1pm, and part of that time is for a daily staff meeting for communication purposes.
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Our facility is state of the art. The facility was designed by Camp’s owner, Suzanne Keeys, and was custom built in 2001. We have over 14,000 square feet indoors with no chain link or kennels, heat and air units, emergency backup power, 24 hour monitored security, a 24 hour recording surveillance system, surgical grade flooring on all interior floors, steam cleaning, and that’s just a few inside amenities.
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Due to the highly social and active nature of Camp, it is not always the right fit for each dog. If we feel that your camper will not benefit from the structure of Camp, we will be honest with you.
Camp's Owner
Suzanne Keeys, owner of Camp Canine, Inc., rolled her love of animals,
experience with dogs, desire to make a difference, and knowledge of
the industry into a unique haven for dogs. Prior to opening Camp Canine
in 1996, Suzanne owned Canine Emergency Express, the only animal
emergency transport in the Cary/Raleigh area. In addition to her full-time
schedule as an emergency transport, Suzanne found (and continues to
find) time to participate in animal rescue efforts.
It was in her roles with Canine Emergency Express and various rescue
events that Suzanne had the opportunity to see a wide variety of
establishments that boarded dogs, offered day care, other pet care, and
rescue/rehabilitation services. Suzanne became acutely aware of the fact
that many of these facilities and organizations, though meaning well, did
not provide environments that nurtured the animals’ physical and
psychological needs. The idea for Camp Canine, a Totally Interactive Canine Experience, was inspired by these observations. The quote that Suzanne has always lived by is from Ralph Waldo Emerson:
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Do not follow where the path may lead; go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.
Relying on her credentials as an animal care and behavior expert, and the support and encouragement of groups, friends, and family, Suzanne opened Camp Canine, Inc.
Although Suzanne is an expert in the areas of canine behavior and animal care, she believes that you can never learn too much. Over the years she has participated in continuing education through many of organizations:
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APDT – Association of Pet Dog Trainers
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IACP – International Association of Canine Professionals
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ACAB – Applied Companion Animal Behavior
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ABS – Animal Behavior Society
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IAABC – International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants
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ABAI – Association for Behavior Analysis International
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CTI – Certified T.E.C.A. First Aid Instructor.
Suzanne is passionate about nurturing and caring for all animals, as is evident from the long list of rescue efforts she has participated in:
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Successful completion of Emergency Animal Rescue Service (EARS) training.
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Co-founder of NCSR, a local group (working with the NCAD) formed to address the issues of a local shelter that was operating below standards.
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Founder of New Beginnings Rescue – Private all-breed rescue group.
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Founder of AART - Animal Rescue and Relief Team. Mobilizes for various rescue efforts.
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Has routinely responded to local needs of missing animals to bring her expertise to fearful animals when capture is difficult.
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Responded to Hurricane Floyd.
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Provided Search and Rescue Efforts
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Responded to Hurricane Katrina.
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Organized and deployed search and rescue teams.
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Co-managed a triage unit.
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Invited by a Homeland Security Rep. to attend the Animal Rescue and Shelter Partners meeting hosted by FEMA in Louisiana after Hurricane Katrina. This was the initial meeting called to establish a rescue plan for animals on a national level in the “National Response Plan” which is now in effect.
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Provides temporary foster care for several local rescue groups.
While it is obvious that Camp Canine, custom designed and built for a unique doggie camper experience, is physically different from other operations, what is not obvious from the view from outside is how it differs in operation. When Suzanne is asked to give a short answer about the Camp Canine treatment and care, she says:
We help dogs cope with the stressful situation of being away from home with kindness, not domination or isolation. We strive to accomplish this by providing a nourishing, positive, active, and happy environment.
Suzanne’s philosophy is the foundation of Camp Canine. Her kind heart and genuine love of animals reach beyond the Camp Canine family and contribute to the psychological and physical well being of all four-legged friends.
Camp' Staff
Camp Canine is a group of dedicated animal lovers who have learned to respect and appreciate dog behavior. We do not hire people that want a “job”, only people that want a career with animals or are in need of experience for a career involved in the animal world. Several people that worked for us in the past have gone on to veterinary school or other animal careers and have come back to say that what they learned at Camp Canine in behavior has not been duplicated in any other training they received. We hire full time employees and provide them with extensive training. Some of the training areas for team members include behavior, standards of care, emergency care, first aid, and CPR.
Each team member must complete a series of training modules, both in-class and on-the-job, before advancing to the next level of responsibilities. Newer team members are paired with more seasoned counselors and are never left in charge until they have been trained to the proper level. All staff members are certified in emergency care and CPR, and we periodically review first-aid procedures to keep staff prepared. We are dedicated to ongoing learning and understanding of behavior. Therefore, our staff regularly participates in educational classes.
Our office staff makes sure that registrations, reservations, payments, and questions are all handled. In addition, the office team confers with the counselors to schedule day camp dogs of suitable personalities and temperament for the same days. Many employees are cross trained to work in the office and as a counselor. Overall attitude and enthusiasm keeps a happy environment for all. This makes a difference for the physiological well-being of our campers, and we strive to maintain a happy family.