Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about Murphy’s Pup Bus experience
Tell me more about the experience at Murphy’s Pup Bus – Dog Ranch & Daycare?
- The ultimate doggy day-camp experience where dogs can truly be dogs.
- The experience takes place on a beautiful shaded fenced 5-acre ranch located within a larger ~25-acre tree-filled property, less than 10 miles east of Downtown Austin.
- Pups enjoy:
- Off-leash freedom
- Swimming in the Pup Pool (~2ft deep, 95% chemical free, always supervised)
- Hiking shaded Pup Pines trails
- Playing in the Pup Park
- Relaxing in the Pup Tent cooled by our outdoor AC system. (EDIT)
- Two daily sessions:
- AM Session: ~7:30am–11:30am
- PM Session: ~11:30am–3:30pm
- Sessions include 13 dogs supervised by 2 trained Pup Pals
- Pup Pals ensure every dog stays safe while having an amazing experience.
Where is Murphy’s Pup Bus Ranch located?
Less than 10 miles (~20 minutes) east of Downtown Austin.
Where in Austin does Murphy’s Pup Bus pick up from?
MPB initial focus will be Downtown and Central Austin. Apply to see if your Pup’s home can be a part of the route. (Capitalize Pup)
When is Murphy’s Pup Bus – Dog Ranch & Daycare open?
- Monday through Thursday
- Two sessions daily:
- AM Session
- PM Session
- Dogs can also stay for both sessions.
How does Pup Bus pick-up and drop-off work?
- Dogs are picked up either from home or a nearby Pup Stop.
- The retrofitted climate-controlled Pup Bus includes secure seat belts and safety-focused seating.
- After the session, pups are safely returned home happy, tired, and ready for a nap.
What are Murphy’s Pup Bus safety protocols?
- Fully fenced & secured ranch, allowing safe off-leash fun.
- Shaded ranch, supervised Pup Pool, and Pup Tent cooled by our outdoor AC system.
- GPS tracker is attached to each pup’s harness. Although 100% supervised, this enables fast-find of all our Pups at the 5-Acre Pup Ranch.
- Climate-controlled Pup Bus with 2 Pup Pals onboard.
- No highway routes used during transportation.
- All Pup Pals are Pet First Aid/CPR Trained & Certified.
- Supervised swimming at all times.
- All dogs must be: Spayed/neutered, Up-to-date on vaccines (Rabies, Bordetella, DHLPP)
Are all dogs a good fit for Murphy’s Pup Bus?
- Murphy’s Pup Bus prioritizes safety and an exceptionally fun experience for all the pups.
- Occasionally, a dog may not acclimate well to the bus and/or ranch.
- Although all dogs will be treated with care & love, it may be determined that MPB is not the right fit for a dog.
How does MPB manage a dog not demonstrating “right fit” behavior?
- Online application asks owner if dog is well socialized with dogs & people.
- On your pup’s first day, Pup Parents are asked to wait 2–3 minutes at the pick-up to ensure your dog settles comfortably.
- If behavior issues occur at the ranch:1. Pup placed in supervised, shaded fenced time-out area. After a “cool-off” period, most dogs successfully rejoin the Pup Crew.2. If issues continue, Pup is brought back to the “Time-Out” area.3. Pup Parents will be updated at the end of the session at drop-off. Craig will call Pup Parent to discuss the suggested next steps.4. If issues continue, they will remain in the safe fenced time-out area for the remainder of the session.5. Pup parents will be updated at the end of the session at drop-off. Additionally, Craig will set up a call with Pup Parent to discuss the suggested next steps.
Does my dog need to be spayed/neutered? Vaccinated?
- Yes.
1. Spay/Neuter required.
2. Vaccines required: Rabies, Bordatella, DHLPP
3. Up-to-date information to be uploaded by Pup Parent to the All- in-one: Customer Portal.
What happens if my dog gets sick or injured?
- Pup parents are contacted immediately if concerns arise.
- A veterinary partner is available if emergency care is needed.
- Emergency treatment may occur before contact if urgent care is required.
- Registration includes a waiver acknowledging natural play risks and veterinary authorization.
Are there waivers required during registration?
Yes. Registration includes acknowledgment and approval for:
- Liability waiver
- Covers risks like scratches, bites, insect bites, transportation incidents, etc.
- Vet waiver
- Allows emergency veterinary care if required.
- Vaccination verification
- All vaccination and spay/neuter records must be uploaded to the customer portal.
- Liability waiver
How do I apply for the Inaugural Pup Crew program?
- Click “Apply Now”
- Follow the application instructions and next steps
Where will my dog be picked up?
- Pick-up occurs at or near your address.
- Downtown dogs may use designated Pup Stops.
- Estimated pick-up and drop-off times will be provided.
- App notifications will alert you when the Pup Bus is approaching.
What is the cost per session?
- $60 per session
- Includes:
1. Transportation to and from Pup Ranch
2. Doggy Utopia aka all the experiences and love provided at Murphy’s Pup Bus Dog Ranch & Daycare
How do I get to see my pup and the Pup Crew having all this fun?
- Daily videos and updates will be shared on social media.
- Follow the adventures from pick-up to all the fun at the Pup Ranch to drop off at the end of the session.
Still Have Questions?
We’d love to chat! Reach out and we’ll answer any additional questions you might have. We love talking to our existing and potential Pup Parents.