Eliminating the Single Largest Risk of Day Care
Transportation plays a vital role in any day care operations, facilitating the exploration of scenic countryside landscapes that offer unique visual and olfactory experiences. To escape the urban environment and embark on this enriching journey is not only a rewarding endeavor but also presents the most significant risk in any daily routine. The combination of dogs and traffic can create hazardous conditions. Therefore, to ensure utmost safety and minimize risks, 84 Acres exclusively utilize full-sized vans equipped with a specialized double-door loading and unloading configuration.
84 Acres Exclusively Uses Full Sized Vans

Internal Space
An internal safe (un)loading space which is 6ft+ high allows for both canine coach and dog to enter the van securely
Double Doors
With the van cargo door closed the dog can be carefully positioned into their crate and the lead de-datched
Leash Free Ride
Leashes are fully de-datched and removed preventing a choke or strangulation risk during the journey
What are Full Sized Vans?
Full sized vans are the largest vans you see on the road. They are not your typical builders transit van. Below are a list of models that cover the full sized category:
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Full sized vans:
- VW Crafter (the 84 Acres Pet Shuttle!)
- Mercedes Sprinter
- Ford Transit
- Citreon Relay
- Peugeot Boxer
- Renault Master
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Non-full Sized Vans Present The Single Largest Risk of Day Care

No Internal Space
The lack of accessible internal space due to the small cargo space and low roof height (humans can't stand-up) means (un)loading can't be done inside the van. The pathway or road has to be used but this is a very dangerous area
Leashes Can Kill
Leaving the leash on the dog during the journey can help make things safer but it presents a choking and strangulation risk
Using The Road-Side
(Un)loading is required to be done outside the van near the road-side which presents significant risks. During the the dogs transit from leashed walking on the pathway to being put in the crate it can break free and entre the road and live traffic and escape
Dogs & Taffic
Dogs and traffic don't mix. In the city motorbikes, cyclists and loud cars can easily spook a trusted and calm dog
2 Dogs in 1 Crate
This issue is made worse when 2 dogs are put in 1 crate. When the second dog is loaded into the crate both crate door and van cargo door are open. It means the dog already in the crate could break free and run into the road and escape the van
Lack of Head Height
There is simply no way the van can permit and internal safe (un)loading space due to the lack of head height to stand-up
What are Non-Full Sized Vans?
Non-full sized vans present the single largest risk factor associate with day care and can kill dogs due their inherent (un)loading dynamics with a small cargo space not permitting enough head room for a human to stand up in, nor facilitate enough space for an internal (un)loading space. Below are a list of models that cover the full sized category:
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Non-Full sized vans (non-exhaustive):
- VW Transporter
- Ford Transit Custom
- Citreon Dispatch
- Peugeot Partner
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Why Don't All Day Cares Use Full-Sized Vans?
84 Acres invests in safety and leading the industry in terms of safety protocols.
Here's the sacrifice we make to make sure your pet receives 1st class treatment and the safest possible time at day care:
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Full-sized vans are approx. x2 more to insure
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Full-sized vans are up to x3 more expensive to buy
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Full-sized vans get 50% of the mpg making them x2 the cost to run in fuel
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Full-sized vans require special extended driver training to operate such a large vehicle
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In simple terms non-full sized vans are used due to the ease of use (no need to invest in staff training as its like driving a car) and cost reduction (less to run in fuel, cheaper to buy and insure).