It happens to the best of us—we have to go out of town or work on a big job and there’s no one to look after the dog. Thankfully, there are a fair number of dog boarding opportunities for your dog near your home. Dog boarding kennels provide your dog a safe and secure place to call their home away from home while you are away. Dog boarding is sometimes accompanied by other services, such as dog training and dog grooming.

Start by arranging a tour of the facility — most will have specific tour times throughout the day. Be leery of any facility that doesn't want you to visit. The dog and cat kennels should be clean, bright, and show signs of care; rusty fences or broken windows are a sign of neglect for the property, which can indicate a similar neglect for the animals.


A good kennel or boarding facility should walk your dog several times a day — anywhere from two to five — and should also build in time for play or socialization. Some kennels offer free play with other animals in a common yard, while some keep dog play one-on-one with staff, for example playing fetch or in the pool, to avoid any conflicts. Rural properties may include hiking trails.
While in-home dog care might feel uncomfortable to some because of giving a stranger access to your home, having someone stop by can be much less intimidating for the dog than having to stay in a crate or small room overnight with other dogs around. If you are one of those dog owners who would rather your dog be in his or her own home while you are out of town, you may want to check out local dog sitters near you.
Our comfortable accommodations & safety-certified associates provide a welcoming place for dogs & cats to stay while you’re away! Guests will feel at home with the around-the-clock care of our pet-loving staff. We offer a safe, clean, temperature-controlled environment, playtime, exercise, healthy meals & more. Book the ultimate staycation destination for your pet now!learn more 

Where can I keep my dog for a month?


We use home-style crates during naptime (12 to 2 p.m.) because it gives the dogs a safe place to rest in, allows them to have some “me” time and allows the staff to safely dispense individual food for dogs who eat lunch and/or medication to each dog if applicable. Similar to children in a daycare, dogs tend to easily adapt to the naptime routine as it’s at the same time each day and all their friends are enjoying the, often much-needed, down time as well! During naptime, the staff also thoroughly cleans each playroom to ensure the room is safe and clean before another exciting round of afternoon play!

How much do dog daycare workers make?


Hello, my name is Shawna, I am a licensed pet sitter, and the founder of Tampaws Pet Care. I am a pet owner and animal lover myself. I have owned a variety of pets in my lifetime, including cats, dogs, guini pigs, iguanas, turtles, birds,snakes, fish, and even a sugar gliders. Not only am I a pet owner, i am also very involved with local rescues in the Tampa Bay area and have been a volunteer/foster mom for Pug Rescue Of Florida for the past three years. This experience has allowed me to foster and care for a variety of pugs and given my first hand knowledge with dogs of all ages and conditions. I have experience with administering basic med ... View Profile
Your dog will get social development with how to deal with other dogs and people in a controlled environment. This development is important for you and your pets, as they become accustomed to group surroundings. And, dogs make friends too! Our dogs play in packs, get to know each other, and make friends that they look forward to seeing each day or week!

Do I need a license to look after dogs?


Our Services Self Service WashOur Self Serve Dog Wash includes everything you need to wash your dog!  We feature semi-private wash stations, dog-designed tubs, and we provide you with all the professional supplies to get the job done right.  Aprons, towels, brushes, combs and powerful dryers make it easy, convenient and fun. Everything with you and your pet's comfort in mind!Full Service WashLike a visit to the spa! The most thorough and relaxing bath experience your dog or cat will ever have. We massage the natural shampoo deep into the coat for a luxurious shine. From tail to nose your pet will be squeaky ... View Profile

How much is dog boarding for a week?