Rover offers doggy daycare services for pet owners throughout the local area. Its network includes thousands of pet sitters that are available to care for dogs while their owners work or travel. The service connects sitters with clients online or through its app. Customers can meet with sitters prior to booking, and services are available for a range of dogs, including high-energy puppies and dogs with special needs.
4Paws Unleashed is an all-pet boarding facility serving pet owners in the Des Moines area. It provides dog boarding and daycare services that include games, socialization, and constant supervision. The facility has climate-controlled boarding areas as well as indoor and outdoor play areas. Grooming and one-on-one services are also available. In addition, the facility provides boarding services to pocket pets, such as rabbits, birds, fish, hamsters, snakes, and spiders. 4Paws Unleashed is owned and operated by a certified veterinary technician.
Since 2010, Canine Country Club has been serving dog owners in Des Moines and the surrounding areas. The locally owned and operated facility provides luxury suites with webcams, allowing clients to check on their pets. Its suites are designed with a homey overnight lodging experience in mind. It offers daycare and VIP playtime to all boarded dogs. Its staff members engage in mentally and physically stimulating activities with canines in a room with cushioned flooring.
Dogwoods Lodge is a pet care facility serving the Des Moines area. Canine guests can enjoy luxury overnight accommodations, which include heated floors, nightly health checks, and six to seven outings a day. Pets can also be pampered in the grooming salon equipped with a walk-in bath and low noise levels, with ear muffs if needed. The facility also offers classes and private lessons at the lodge or at home. Dogwoods Lodge is a member of the International Boarding & Pet Services Association.
Downtown Doggy Daycare is a dog boarding facility based in Des Moines. It has a 3,000-square-foot indoor arena divided into four rooms to group dogs according to size and personality. In addition, the lodging offers a 14,000-square-foot fenced outdoor play area where pups can exercise and get fresh air. Whether it's kennel boarding or suite boarding, pets are provided with clean water, comfortable bedding, dimmed lights, and mellow music. Downtown Doggy Daycare is a member of the IBPSA.
Ingersoll Animal Hospital is a Des Moines-based pet hospital that provides a complete range of veterinary and pet care services. With temperature-controlled indoor areas, this facility provides a wide range of dog boarding packages and add-on services, including premium bedding, additional walks, daily brush out, treats, and individualized exercise time. It also offers vaccinations, dentistry, surgery, nutrition and weight management, and integrative pet care services. Pet owners can schedule veterinary and grooming services during their pet's stay.
It's a Ruff Life is a dog daycare facility that serves Des Moines, Clive, Waukee, and the surrounding towns and cities. It offers a range of services, including overnight boarding, daycare, and grooming. The business caters to dogs of various breeds, sizes, and temperaments. It's a Ruff Life has over 9,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor play areas for dogs to play in and exercise. Additionally, its professionals are certified in canine first aid and CPR so they can respond during emergencies.
Ledges Farm Dog Camp is a dog boarding business serving Des Moines and the surrounding areas. The facility has 10,000 square feet of fenced runs, and every camper has a raised bed, fleecy bedding, and three hours of leash-free play every day. The farm is surrounded by forests and ponds to mentally stimulate pets with sights, sounds, and smells of nature and wildlife. Ledges Farm Dog Camp also has an agility course complete with teeter-totters, dog walks, double bar jumps, and A-frames.
Raccoon River Kennels is a full-service facility that caters to clients in Des Moines and nearby metros. It offers overnight boarding and daycare services for dogs. Its team of professionals serves boarders with blankets, beds, leashes, and bowls. In addition, all dogs get a minimum of three exercise periods per day. The facility has an assortment of food options including Science Diet, Kirkland, Iams, and Eukenuba. Raccoon River Kennels aims to provide dogs with a safe place while owners are away.
Rush Animal Care Clinic P.C. assists pet owners in Des Moines who are looking for one-day or extended accommodations for their dogs. It offers a climate-controlled area where dogs are boarded separately for every guest's comfort and safety. Its veterinary staff is available to supervise the pets' needs, including medications, food, and supplements. Rush Animal Care Clinic was founded in 1992 by Barb Rush, an Elite Fear Free-certified veterinarian who owns four shelties.
South Des Moines Veterinary Center has been catering to clients in Des Moines and nearby areas since 1964. It offers a wide range of services, including doggy daycare and pet boarding. Its vet services include dental care, diagnostics and lab testing, end-of-life care, pain management, and parasite prevention. Grooming services such as anal gland expression, ear cleaning, full-body brush-outs, hair dying, and nail filling are also available. Melissa Beyer, the owner, is a member of the American Animal Hospital Association and the American Veterinary Medical Association.
The Barking Lot is a family-owned dog boarding facility serving Des Moines pet owners. It offers dog boarding in its premium suites with laminate walls and glass fronts to provide a private and quiet environment. The facility has a cattery with a custom-built catwalk and provides grooming and training services for both cats and dogs. The Barking Lot is a member of the Grimes Chamber & Economic Development and the IBPSA. Its staff members are certified in pet first aid and CPR.
In the business for over 50 years, Wil-A-Lo Kennels is a locally owned pet boarding and daycare facility situated in a four-acre wooded property in Des Moines. Catering to small pets like dogs and cats, the facility offers day and overnight boarding services, including private room accommodation, food, and personal attention. Add-on services to keep pets entertained and pampered—like nature walks, play sessions, grooming, and specialty treats—are also available. Wil-A-Lo Kennels is owned by local veterinarian Tera Dupuy.
Dog boarding facilities provide housing and care for dogs for short- and long-term stays. Services include kenneling, daily exercise, feeding, and grooming. While at-home pet sitting providers offer similar services, the main difference between the two is that professional facilities are licensed, and they must follow state regulations to ensure the safety of animals in their care.
Services included with dog boarding can vary based on specific facility offerings, but most boarding centers offer daily exercise programs, clean, sanitized bedding, temperature-controlled housing, fresh water, and veterinarian-approved dog food. Boarding technicians also administer required medications and supplements, and many facilities offer grooming and bathing services.
Certain veterinary offices provide boarding services, as overnight staff are readily available, and animals have immediate access to medical care. While boarding a dog at the vet is perfectly safe, some dogs are uneasy about going to the doctor, leading to anxiety and resistance at drop-off.
Board and training programs for dogs combine overnight boarding with obedience training. Dogs stay at boarding facilities throughout their training programs, which typically last between one and four weeks. During their stay, dogs are trained to hinder behavior, such as jumping and pulling on leashes, and they learn basic commands, such as heel and stay.
Board and train programs have proven to be effective for many dogs, as they learn everything from basic commands to new behaviors that result in positive reinforcement. However, not all dogs respond to board and train programs, so alternative training and behavior modification courses may be necessary in some cases.
Specific regulation requirements for dog boarding facilities can vary from state to state, but all kennel owners must obtain the appropriate licensing, and property must be zoned for kenneling. Additionally, all facilities must be designed to remain structurally sound and maintain fresh-air ventilation systems, and hot and cold running water is required.
Dog owners may wish to visit the facility with their pets before boarding to help them acclimate to the environment. A visit to the veterinarian is also a good idea to ensure the dog is in good health before spending time away from home. If a dog is used to sleeping with other dogs or people, owners should encourage them to sleep alone for a few nights before the stay.
When dropping off a dog for long-term boarding, owners should bring the following:
Before boarding a dog for the first time, it's a good idea for owners and their pets to visit the establishment to get a feel for the environment and learn about the boarding process. It's also important for dogs to be vaccinated for kennel cough, canine distemper, and rabies prior to boarding. Dog owners can also "try out" boarding facilities by placing their pets for a one-night stay to gauge their comfort levels and familiarize them with the environment.
Dogs are highly adaptable; however, whether they are comfortable in a boarding kennel depends on various factors. Anxiety due to missing their owners and being in an unfamiliar space may cause a dog to feel stressed. Reputable providers work hard to ensure dogs are comfortable and content during their stays.
On average, dog boarding costs between $25 and $85 per day/night. Factors that can lead to higher or lower costs include the state, additional services needed, special diets, included grooming, and included training. Weekly dog boarding costs average $150, and monthly costs are approximately $500.
Rates for dog board and training per day can vary based on specific company prices and services offered. In general, two-week programs start at around $900, but they can go significantly higher. Dog owners should confirm with dog boarding centers if single-day sessions are offered, as professional training often requires more than one session.
It's not customary or required to tip for dog boarding or kenneling, but customers can offer tips if so inclined. It's always a good idea to check with the boarding center before providing a tip to ensure it's not against company policy.
Specific lengths of boarding time can vary per facility, but in general, it's recommended to board a dog for no longer than 30 days at a time. While many dogs adapt to new environments, they may also form attachments to their caregivers, leading to resistance when it is time to leave the facility.
It's safe to board puppies that are four months of age or older. Depending on the boarding facility, dog owners may be required to bring proof of age and documentation of all puppy shots. Puppy owners should consult with their veterinarians before boarding to ensure their pets are healthy enough to be placed in a new environment.
Yes, it's common for some dogs to become emotional when boarded. They may miss their owners and the overall change of environment, including dietary changes, which can be jarring. However, dogs are adaptable, and quality kennels and boarding centers work hard to ensure that their needs are met through socialization and attention.
The vaccines required for dogs to enter boarding facilities or doggy day care centers are upper respiratory or kennel cough, rabies, and canine distemper. Dogs should also be current with all other vaccines and take preventative tablets for fleas and heartworm.
Several factors can cause a dog to become ill during boarding. While transmittable viruses that lead to kennel cough are quite common, dogs can also get sick due to the stress of a new environment and dietary changes that lead to stomach upset. Vaccinations help prevent dogs from picking up certain viruses and bacterial infections, so owners need to ensure that all shots are up-to-date before boarding.
When a dog is exposed to kennel cough, the incubation period is approximately two to 14 days following exposure. Symptoms, such as a mild cough and nasal discharge, can last a few weeks. In most cases, kennel cough is not serious, but pet owners should schedule a veterinarian visit to rule out secondary infections.
You should have experience with and knowledge of dog care before launching a dog daycare. Your business must comply with all state and local laws. You also need to choose what type of business formation you want. Visit the Small Business Administration website and the site for your Secretary of State’s office for guidelines, tips, advice, and resources.
