Fresh Air by Design: How Airflow, Skylights and Hospital-Grade Filtration Keep Our Dog Daycare Clean
At Tefani & So, we combine natural airflow from skylights and windows with three UV-C Air Purifiers, each running hospital-grade HEPA filtration. Together, they're designed to keep the air your dog breathes all day as clean as the outdoors.
Here's what that actually means, and why it matters for a space full of dogs.
Why Air Quality Matters in a Dog Daycare
Any space with a lot of dogs in it has a lot going on in the air: dander, fur, dust, odors from play and grooming, and airborne bacteria that can spread between dogs. Poor air quality in a dog daycare setting can trigger allergies and respiratory irritation in dogs (and staff), contribute to the spread of illness between dogs, and cause unpleasant odors to build up. It can also add stress: dogs are sensitive to their environment, and a stuffy, stale space can make them less comfortable than a bright, well-ventilated one.
Natural Airflow: Skylights and Windows
Our play area is built around large open skylights and windows, which do two things at once: they flood the space with natural light, and they support real air circulation rather than trapping stagnant indoor air. Dogs get a sunlit space to nap and play in, and the building itself is designed to keep air moving rather than sitting still.
Hospital-Grade Filtration: What Our TRACS® UV-C Systems Actually Do
Natural airflow is only half the equation, so we back it up with three TRACS® UV-C Air Purifiers running continuously in our space. Each unit combines three stages of filtration:
A CarbonWeb® MERV-8 pre-filter that captures larger particles and absorbs odors and VOCs (useful for a space that handles grooming and bathing).
An 80-square-foot H13 medical-grade HEPA filter, certified to remove 99.99% of airborne particles down to 0.3 microns — that includes pet dander, dust, mold spores, and allergens.
Dual 254nm UV-C lamps, positioned ahead of the filter, that use germicidal UV light to disable airborne bacteria and viruses before they ever reach the filter media.
The UV-C stage is ozone-free it operates at a wavelength that sterilizes air without producing ozone as a byproduct, so it's safe to run continuously around dogs and people. Our filters have the capacity to move 5,625 sq. ft. per hour. With three units running throughout our facility, we're circulating and filtering a substantial volume of air continuously — not just masking odors, but actively pulling particles, dander, and airborne pathogens out of circulation throughout the day.
Why This Combination Matters for Your Dog
Dogs spend a full day breathing whatever is in the air around them — that adds up in a way an occasional outdoor walk doesn't offset. Pairing natural airflow with active, hospital-grade filtration means:
Fewer airborne allergens and less dander buildup, which is easier on dogs with sensitivities.
Lower risk of airborne illness spreading between dogs in a group setting.
A fresher, odor-controlled space instead of the "kennel smell" common in facilities without real filtration.
A calmer, more comfortable environment — stuffy, poor-quality air adds unnecessary stress to a dog's day.
FAQ: Air Quality at Tefani & So
What air filtration system does Tefani & So use? We run three TRACS® UV-C Air Purifiers, each combining a carbon pre-filter, an H13 medical-grade HEPA filter (99.99% efficient at 0.3 microns), and dual 254nm UV-C lamps, alongside natural airflow from skylights and windows throughout our space.
Does UV-C air filtration produce ozone? No. The 254nm UV-C wavelength used in our TRACS® units does not produce ozone, so it can run continuously in an occupied space.
How much air do the TRACS® units filter? Each unit moves up to 250 CFM, enough to cycle the air in a 1,875-square-foot space every hour. We run three units throughout our facility for continuous coverage.
Why does air quality matter for dogs in daycare? Dogs are exposed to dander, dust, and airborne bacteria for a full day in a group setting. Clean, well-filtered air reduces allergy triggers, lowers the risk of illness spreading between dogs, and creates a calmer, more comfortable environment.
Is hospital-grade HEPA filtration safe for dogs? Yes. HEPA filtration simply removes particles from the air; it doesn't introduce any chemicals or byproducts, making it safe for continuous use around dogs and people.
If clean air, natural light, and a genuinely comfortable environment matter to you as much as they matter to us, reach out to Tefani & So to learn more