Pet Boarding Near Me — Find Dog & Cat Boarding & Book Online

Finding the right boarding situation for your pet takes more than a quick search — knowing the difference between boarding types, what to ask, and what makes a provider trustworthy saves stress for both you and your animal. Here's a complete guide to pet boarding and what's available from pet boarding providers on Booksy.

What is pet boarding?

Pet boarding is a professional care service that houses and looks after your pet — typically for one or more nights — while you're away from home traveling, working, or otherwise unable to provide care yourself. A boarding provider feeds, waters, exercises, and supervises your pet in a safe environment, ensuring their physical needs and social or stimulation needs are met throughout the stay. Modern pet boarding has evolved significantly from the traditional kennel model — today's options range from purpose-built pet hotels with private suites and enrichment programs to in-home boarding with a caregiver who treats your pet as a temporary household member. The right option depends on your pet's temperament, social needs, age, health status, and how much human contact they need to stay comfortable and calm.

Dog boarding

Dog boarding is the most widely available pet boarding service — with options ranging from facility-based boarding (a dedicated pet hotel or kennel where multiple dogs are housed in individual runs or suites) to in-home boarding (a professional sitter who takes your dog into their own home). In-home dog boarding is the preferred option for dogs who are anxious in kennel environments, older dogs who find busy facilities stressful, or dogs who are not well-socialized with other animals. The dog typically lives as part of the sitter's household — sleeping in a home environment, going on walks with the sitter, and receiving individualized attention throughout the stay. Facility-based boarding offers more structured supervision and often includes playtime and socialization with other dogs — better suited for social, outgoing dogs who thrive with other animals. Available from dog boarding providers on Booksy — priced at $30 to $60 per night depending on format and location.

Cat boarding and kitten boarding

Cat boarding provides safe, supervised accommodation for cats — most commonly in a dedicated cat-only boarding facility or a cattery, which offers a quieter, dog-free environment that most cats find significantly less stressful than a mixed-animal facility. Cat suites typically include perches, hiding spots, and enrichment to meet a cat's environmental needs during a stay. Kitten boarding requires additional care — young kittens (under 4 months) need more frequent feeding, more warmth, and closer supervision than adult cats. Always confirm the provider's experience with kittens specifically before booking a kitten boarding service. Available from cat boarding providers on Booksy who specifically list cat or kitten boarding in their service menu.

Doggy daycare

Doggy daycare provides daytime care and supervision — typically for 6 to 10 hours — for dogs whose owners are at work or otherwise away during the day. Unlike boarding (which includes overnight accommodation), daycare is a daytime-only service. Most doggy daycare facilities offer structured play, supervised socialization with other dogs, rest periods, and feeding. It's an ideal solution for high-energy dogs who need more stimulation than an empty home provides, for puppies who need socialization during development, and for owners who work long hours. Available from providers on Booksy who list doggy daycare — priced at $25 to $45 per day. Some providers offer a combined daycare and overnight boarding service for flexible coverage.

Last-minute pet boarding

Last-minute pet boarding — booking a boarding spot on short notice, sometimes the same day or the day before departure — is one of the most stressful situations pet owners face. Booksy's real-time availability filter makes last-minute boarding significantly more manageable: filter by immediate or next-day availability to see which providers have open spots without multiple phone calls. In-home boarding providers are often more flexibly available for last-minute bookings than larger facilities, which fill up earliest around holidays and peak travel periods. Holiday weekends — Thanksgiving, Christmas, July 4th, Memorial Day, Labor Day — are the hardest boarding periods to fill last-minute. Book as far in advance as possible for holiday travel; use Booksy's availability filter and book immediately for last-minute needs at other times.

How to choose a trustworthy boarding provider

Read reviews carefully — look specifically for comments on how the provider communicates during the stay (do they send updates and photos?), how the pet seemed upon return (calm and well-cared-for, or stressed and out of routine?), and how they handled any issues that arose. Ask about vaccination requirements — most reputable boarding providers require proof of current vaccinations (rabies, DHPP for dogs; rabies, FVRCP for cats) before accepting a booking — this protects all animals in their care. Request a meet-and-greet before the first boarding stay if possible — it allows your pet to familiarize themselves with the environment and the caregiver before the actual departure, significantly reducing first-night stress. Confirm feeding, medication administration, and exercise routines before the stay so the provider can maintain your pet's normal schedule as closely as possible.

Pet boarding prices — how much does pet boarding cost?

Pet boarding pricing varies by format, pet size, and location. The ranges below are based on Booksy listings and US market rates.

Service	Average price	Duration
Dog boarding (per night)	$35 to $60	Overnight
In-home dog boarding (per night)	$40 to $75	Overnight
Cat boarding (per night)	$20 to $40	Overnight
Doggy daycare (per day)	$25 to $45	6 to 10 hours
Pet sitting (drop-in visit)	$15 to $30	30 to 60 min
Dog walking (add-on)	$15 to $25	30 min

Prices reflect average ranges from Booksy listings and US market rates. Pet boarding prices increase for larger dogs, puppies, holiday periods, and premium in-home or suite-style accommodation. Always check individual listings on Booksy for exact pricing — and book early for holiday periods when availability fills quickly.

Frequently asked questions about pet boarding

What is the difference between pet boarding and doggy daycare?

Pet boarding provides overnight (or multi-night) accommodation — your pet stays with the provider for one or more nights while you're away traveling or otherwise unable to care for them. Doggy daycare is daytime-only care — typically 6 to 10 hours — for dogs whose owners are at work during the day, with the dog returning home in the evening. Some providers offer combined daycare and overnight boarding for flexible coverage.

How do I book last-minute dog boarding?

Use the availability filter on Booksy to find pet boarding providers with open slots today or tomorrow. In-home boarding providers are typically more flexible for last-minute bookings than large facilities. For holiday weekend travel, book as far in advance as possible — spots fill weeks in advance. At other times, Booksy's real-time availability filter makes finding a same-day or next-day spot straightforward without multiple phone calls.

What do I need to bring for a dog boarding stay?

Bring your dog's regular food (in a labeled, portioned container if possible), any medications with clear written instructions, a familiar blanket or bed that smells like home, their collar with ID tags, vaccination records, and emergency contact details including your vet's number. Keeping their diet and routine as consistent as possible during the stay minimizes digestive upset and anxiety.

Do boarding providers require vaccinations?

Most reputable pet boarding providers require proof of current vaccinations before accepting a booking — for dogs, typically rabies, DHPP (distemper, hepatitis, parvovirus, parainfluenza), and often Bordetella (kennel cough). For cats, rabies and FVRCP. Vaccination requirements protect all animals in the provider's care. Always confirm requirements when booking — and have your vet's vaccination records ready to share.

Is there a pet boarding provider open now near me?

Use the availability filter on Booksy to find pet boarding providers with open slots today. In-home boarding providers are often reachable on short notice. Use the real-time availability filter to find who can accommodate your pet now or for an imminent departure.