Important Health Update: Giardia Precautions at Sit Social

Dear Sit Social Family,

At Sit Social, your dog’s health and happiness are our top priority. We want to keep you fully informed about a recent health matter so that, together, we can protect our beloved dog community.

Recently, a few dogs who visited our hotel and daycare have tested positive for Giardia—a common, but contagious intestinal parasite that can spread easily in social dog environments like parks and dog-friendly buildings as well as if brought into our daycare by even one pup. While this isn’t unusual in places where dogs play together, we take any health concern very seriously.

What is Giardia?

Giardia is a microscopic parasite that affects the intestines. It spreads when dogs ingest contaminated water, soil, food—or come into contact with infected feces. It’s something that any dog can pick up on a city walk, a trip to the park, or even from licking their own paws after outdoor play.

Common Symptoms of Giardia:

• Soft or liquid stool

• Mucousy or greasy stool

• Sudden diarrhea (sometimes with a strong odor)

• Lethargy

• Vomiting (in some cases)

• Dehydration or weight loss (if left untreated)

Not all dogs show symptoms right away—but they can still carry and spread the parasite to others.

Our Response:

In an abundance of caution and care for all dogs, we are:

✔️ Temporarily closing our daycare facility for 4 days from Tuesday, June 10th through Friday June 13th,  to perform deep cleaning, sanitizing, and treatment of every inch of our space while also giving every dog owner the chance to monitor their dog's stool for a few days and get to their vet for testing and reporting back to us. We will take daycare reservations again starting Monday, June 16.

✔️ Cancelling all daycare reservations during this period to ensure the facility is cleared, sanitized, and safe before reopening.

✔️ Reopening daycare reservations on Monday, June 16.

What We Kindly Ask of You:

🐾 If your dog has had any diarrhea, liquid stool, or unusual digestive upset, please do not bring them to Sit Social until they are cleared by your veterinarian with a negative fecal test.

🐾 Get a fecal exam specifically for giardia done immediately if you notice symptoms—this is the best way to confirm or rule out Giardia.

🐾 Even if your dog seems fine, practicing regular fecal testing (every 6–12 months) is a great way to ensure they stay healthy, especially if they frequent daycares, dog parks, or social play groups.

🐾 Please notify us right away if your dog tests positive for Giardia so we can continue to protect the rest of the pack.

Moving forward, Sit Social will have a strict policy: Any dog showing signs of diarrhea or liquid stool will not be allowed back in our facility until a clear, negative fecal test is provided. This helps protect every pup in our care.

A Note on Responsible Dog Ownership In A Big City:

Giardia isn’t anyone’s fault—it’s simply part of life in a city where dogs explore the world with their noses and paws. But we can all help by staying alert to our dog’s health, keeping up with vet visits, and being proactive if something seems off.

Together, with honesty, proactive communication, and care, we can maintain the joyful, healthy, tail-wagging environment that Sit Social is proud to offer.

Thank you for your understanding, cooperation, and for being a part of our amazing dog community. If you have any questions or need guidance, please don’t hesitate to reach out—we’re here to help.

Stay well,

Victoria Elena Nones

Founder & Owner, Sit Social