Day Care Transport Van

Transport to and from day care

We know life gets busy, and juggling drop-offs and pick-ups can be tricky. That’s why we’re excited to offer our convenient van transport service — bringing your furry family members safely to and from day care, right from your doorstep!

Our custom-built van is designed with your dog’s comfort and safety in mind. With climate control, secure crates, and experienced staff on board, you can rest easy knowing your dog is in great hands during their journey. Whether your pup is an early riser or needs that extra help getting to us, our transport service takes the stress out of your day.

Operating weekday mornings and afternoons, our van covers suburbs around Flemington, Ascot Vale, Kensington, and nearby. We carefully plan routes daily to ensure timely, efficient pick-ups and drop-offs, so your dog can spend more time enjoying play, enrichment, and rest at Happy Paws Waggy Tails.

Ready to make your life easier and your dog’s day even better? Get in touch to book our van service or ask any questions — we’re here to help keep those tails wagging all day long!

Understanding Our Transport Zones

Our van transport service uses a zone-based pricing system determined by the distance from our day care centre in Flemington. This ensures fair and transparent pricing based on how far we travel to pick up and drop off your dog.

While zones affect pricing, we organise daily routes for maximum efficiency. This means we often combine pick-ups and drop-offs from different zones on the same trip to create the smoothest, quickest routes possible. Our priority is to keep travel time comfortable for your dog while maintaining reasonable costs for you.

• Zone 1: Within 1.5km radius of day care (424 Racecourse Road, Flemington)

• Zone 2: Between 1.5km and 5km radius

When you book, we’ll let you know which zone your address falls into and explain the associated transport fee. If you have any questions about zones or route planning, our friendly team is always here to help. The map shows Zone 1 in blue, Zone 2 in grey.

This approach means:

• Clear pricing based on distance

• Efficient routes that minimise time in the van for your dog

• Flexible, personalised service tailored to your area

What are the van pick-up and drop-off times?

• Morning pick-ups: The van leaves between 7:45 and 8:00am, once the morning rush eases. Pick-up times vary by location and bookings. On busy days, the van may do multiple trips. The latest pick-up time is usually 9:00am.

• Afternoon drop-offs: The van leaves day care between 4:15 and 4:30pm. Drop-off times depend on your location and other bookings. To maximise your dog’s day care time, drop-offs run until about 6:00pm, with multiple trips as needed.

Exact times depend on route logistics and number of dogs booked for transport that day. We also aim to maximise their time with us at day care.

How do you organise pick-up and drop-off routes?

Routes are planned daily based on bookings, aiming for the most efficient, safe, and timely collection and delivery of all dogs. We group addresses geographically to minimise travel time and stress for the dogs.

What size crates are in the van?

Our van has 4 large crates, each of which can be split into 2 smaller crates to safely accommodate small and medium dogs separately if needed.

What safety measures are in place during transport?

Dogs are secured safely inside crates appropriate for their size. The van is climate controlled, and our drivers have undergone the same level of training as all our day care attendants.

What do I need to prepare for my dog’s transport?

• Your dog must wear a flat collar (martingale collars okay for sighthounds)

• Ensure your dog has had any required medication before the transport time

• Bring any special diet food or lunch for puppies in labelled containers

• No toys or bedding need to be brought; we provide these in the crates

Can I request a specific pick-up or drop-off time?

While we aim to be as flexible as possible, specific time windows depend on route planning and other bookings on the day. We will provide estimated time ranges for pick-up and drop-off.

What if my dog doesn’t handle car travel well?

Our experienced staff work with dogs during transport to minimise stress. We encourage owners to prepare their dogs gradually for car travel. If your dog has severe travel anxiety, please discuss with our team to plan suitable support.

Is the transport service included in day care fees?

Transport is an optional extra service with its own pricing. Check with our team for current rates and booking details.

What if I need to cancel or change a transport booking?

Please inform us as soon as possible of any cancellations or changes. Late cancellations may incur fees. We do try to be reasonable when illness or emergencies occur.

How do you access my home for pick-up and drop-off?

If you are home, we will collect and return your dog directly from/to you.

If you’re not home, you can:

• Provide a house or gate key, which we store securely in a locked container with colour-coded key fobs for easy and safe identification

• Provide a code to a lockbox; codes are stored securely and only accessed by authorised staff

Please let us know if your property has any special access instructions so we can plan accordingly.