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

What is the meaning of pet boarding?


In order to give each pet individual attention, we've chosen to keep Plantation Pet Resort dog boarding kennel small and exclusive, avoiding the chaos of large kennels. This way we can offer your pet the quiet, yet fun atmosphere he deserves as opposed to a large kennel with many runs and the mayhem, and health risks, which result when you try to house large numbers of dogs in a confined space.

My name is Linda and my daughters name is Christine. Together we are a team together. We have two dogs, 5 yr old Shar Pei mix and a 9 month old Blue Nose American Staffordshire Terrier. We have a two step meet & greet process, First is in a neutral area where all parties can meet, then if all goes well (and we have no doubt it will) we will then schedule another meet or simply have you us follow to our house. This way you get a feel for us and our pups and see our home, which will be their home for your away time. If anyone needs special accommodations you just need to let us know and we’ll take care of them as if they are our own. ... View Profile

Can a dog fly alone?


I telecommute from home for a major health insurance company so your pet has lots of companionship. Your dog is not left outside with me. They have access to use the doggy door to get outside whenever they need to go potty.  I have a clean background and have 25 years experience in sitting dogs and cats.  My home has a fenced in yard, security camera and monitored security system. 
Our boarding facilities are fully equipped to handle dogs of all shapes and sizes. We encourage you to bring your pup to our location for daycare prior to an overnight or extended stay. We recommend at least one day of daycare prior to your dog’s overnight stay – three days of daycare is ideal – to allow your pup to get used to the facility and have a better overall experience. Your dog will become comfortable with our staff, and learn that you will be coming back to bring them home. It will also give our staff an opportunity to learn your pup’s personality and play preferences.

How much does it cost to start a doggie daycare?


Dogtopia is a very active environment, with the dogs interacting for several hours per day. Even if your dog did not run all day, simply being awake can make them very, very tired. At home, most dogs sleep the day away getting 18 or more hours of sleep. Although we have a two-hour nap, and the dogs sleep approximately eight hours per night, they will be tired. Please let them rest. We do not recommend that you take them to the dog park or any other social environment for at least a few days.

Do you need a license for doggy daycare?


With Dogtopia, your furry family member will learn how to be a well-balanced canine citizen. Each new dog gets a report card at the end of the day detailing their behavior, who they made friends with, and how well they interacted with the team and other dogs. We also provide our regular customers with frequent updates on their dog’s temperament, as well as advice on how to replicate their training at home.


Kennels typically come with a per-night cost, though some offer lowered rates for longer term stays, for example a week or month. Included in the basic price will be a space for your animal — for dogs, this is usually a small gated area which includes a place to sleep and eat. Some will also include a "doggy door" and outside area for them to nap or play. Cats are usually given small rooms with multiple levels and windows onto the main floor of the kennel. There is wide variation over what's included and at what price — it's critical to visit a kennel, and get a full tour, before you make any decisions.
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.
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.

How much does it cost to watch a dog overnight?