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Best Dog Boarders in Des Moines
2021

We scored 62 Dog Boarders in Des Moines, IA and Picked the Top 16

Here are the Picks:

4Paws Unleashed

All-Pets Hospital

Ankeny Animal & Avian Clinic

Canine Country Club

Canine Craze Performance Center

Dogwoods Lodge

Downtown Doggy Daycare

Grand Avenue Veterinary Hospital

Ingersoll Animal Hospital

It’s a Ruff Life

Ledges Farm Dog Camp

Raccoon River Kennels

Rush Animal Care P.C.

South Des Moines Veterinary Center

The Barking Lot

Wil-a-lo Kennels

Why These Dog Boarders?

Our goal is to connect people with the best local experts. We scored Des Moines Dog Boarders on more than 25 variables across five categories, and analyzed the results to give you a hand-picked list of the best.

Reviewed Curated Top Picks 62 43 16

Our Selection Criteria:

  • 1. Availability

    Consistently approachable and responsive, so customers never feel ignored.

  • 2. Qualifications

    Building customer confidence with licensing, accreditations, and awards.

  • 3. Reputation

    A history of delighted customers and outstanding service.

  • 4. Experience

    Masters of their craft, based on years of practical experience and education.

  • 5. Professionalism

    Providing service with honesty, reliability, and respect.

Read more about our selection process

4Paws Unleashed

4Paws Unleashed is a dog daycare and all pet boarding, grooming, and training facility with two locations, including one in North Des Moines. The dog care business is owned and operated by a certified veterinary technician and provides boarding services for rabbits, fish, birds, hamsters, spiders, snakes, and many other pocket and exotic pets as well as dogs and cats. Dog boarding fees are based on weight.

Click to Call

Des Moines, IA 50313

Website

(515) 289-0626 Website

Reputation: A

More Info

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.

Online Profiles:

1 (Good)

Average Review Score:

5 / 5 (Best)

Total Reviews:

14 (Better)

Score Consistency:

Consistent (Best)

All-Pets Hospital

Two All-Pets Hospital locations in Des Moines provide boarding along with general veterinary care and grooming services. Dogs board in individual kennels with indoor, climate-controlled runs and access to a fenced area for supervised outdoor play. Pet caregivers at the clinic and boarding facility include several certified vet techs and pre-vet students. One boarding attendant has taken care of All-Pets Hospital dogs for 30 years.

Click to Call

Des Moines, IA 50125

Website

(515) 262-8535 Website

Ankeny Animal & Avian Clinic

The pet care team at Ankeny Animal & Avian Clinic prioritizes maintaining a calm, fear-free environment for medical patients and overnight boarding guests. Dogs from the northern Des Moines area board in dorm or suite style rooms, taking supervised walks outside three to four times a day. The kennel attendants play calming music and clean the whole space frequently.

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Ankeny, IA 50023

Website

(515) 964-7387 Website

Canine Country Club

Canine Country Club has been providing daycare, grooming, training, and boarding for dogs in West Des Moines since 2010. The kennel’s managers have experience handling all kinds of dogs, including ones with special medical needs and police working dogs. All Canine Country Club team members love dogs and participate in continuing education in dog behavior, first aid, CPR, pack management, socialization, and aggression. The boarding facility has a low dog to caregiver ratio.

Click to Call

West Des Moines, IA 50265

Website

(515) 221-0300 Website

Reputation: A

More Info

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.

Online Profiles:

1 (Good)

Average Review Score:

5 / 5 (Best)

Total Reviews:

4 (Good)

Score Consistency:

Consistent (Best)

Canine Craze Performance Center

The pet care staff at Canine Craze Performance Center provides training and boarding services to Des Moines area dogs. Caregivers' and trainers' experiences include Animal Behavior College graduation, vet tech certification, membership in the Pet Professional Guild, and status as an AKC evaluator in two categories. Dogs needing special assistance are welcome at Canine Craze Performance Center. The Urbandale facility opened in 2000 and limits boarding space so that dogs get individual care and attention.

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Urbandale, IA 50322

Website

(515) 222-1112 Website

Reputation: A+

More Info

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.

Online Profiles:

2 (Better)

Average Review Score:

4.6 / 5 (Best)

Total Reviews:

22 (Better)

Score Consistency:

Consistent (Best)

Dogwoods Lodge

Des Moines area dogs boarding at Dogwoods Lodge stay in a clean, secure, fun space with the option of a log bed to match the facility’s chalet-style aesthetics. Dogwoods Lodge is a dog care facility located in Grimes that provides grooming, training, and day camp services in addition to boarding. The lodge owner is a Certified Professional Canine Trainer and Certified Canine Behavioral Specialist. Dogwoods Lodge maintains membership with the International Association of Canine Professionals and the BBB.

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Grimes, IA 50111

Website

(515) 986-7387 Website

Reputation: A+

More Info

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.

Online Profiles:

2 (Better)

Average Review Score:

4.7 / 5 (Best)

Total Reviews:

75 (Best)

Score Consistency:

Consistent (Best)

Downtown Doggy Daycare

Downtown Doggy Daycare in Des Moines provides a safe and clean environment for dogs to socialize, exercise, and board overnight. Caregivers give healthy food and snacks to dogs and email reports to their owners. Dogs board in suites or standard wire kennels with comfortable bedding, dimmed lights, and music. Downtown Doggy Daycare is an IBPSA member, won Cityview Best of Des Moines three years in a row, and has accreditation and an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau.

Click to Call

Des Moines, IA 50309

Website

(515) 288-0957 Website

Reputation: A+

More Info

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.

Online Profiles:

2 (Better)

Average Review Score:

5 / 5 (Best)

Total Reviews:

35 (Best)

Score Consistency:

Consistent (Best)

Grand Avenue Veterinary Hospital

The dog boarding overseer at Grand Avenue Veterinary Hospital has worked at the Des Moines clinic since 1974. The kennel team provides everything a dog needs for boarding except any required special food. Caregivers at Grand Avenue Veterinary Hospital have various degrees in animal science, animal ecology, and (human) counseling. One is a veterinary technician school instructor. The clinic partners with Animal Rescue League of Iowa to help place pets for adoption.

Click to Call

West Des Moines, IA 50265

Website

(515) 274-3489 Website

Reputation: A+

More Info

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.

Online Profiles:

3 (Best)

Average Review Score:

4.8 / 5 (Best)

Total Reviews:

18 (Better)

Score Consistency:

Consistent (Best)

Ingersoll Animal Hospital

Ingersoll Animal Hospital, founded in Des Moines in 1979, provides boarding services for dogs and cats. Clients can select a variety of services for their pet’s stay, such as bathing, veterinary procedures, and treadmill exercise sessions. The pet care team at Ingersoll Animal Hospital is made up of registered vet techs, a former zookeeper, and assistants with experience in 4H and FFA. Regular Ingersoll pet patients who board will be staying with caregivers who already know them.

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Des Moines, IA 50312

Website

(515) 274-3555 Website

It’s a Ruff Life

It’s a Ruff Life is a dog daycare and grooming facility west of Des Moines that has overnight boarding services available. Pet caregivers at It’s a Ruff Life are CPR and First Aid certified and experienced in working with dogs of all shapes and sizes and special needs. The dog care business has food for purchase or staff members will feed dogs their regular diets brought from home.

Click to Call

Clive, IA 50325

Website

(515) 457-7833 Website

Reputation: A

More Info

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.

Online Profiles:

2 (Better)

Average Review Score:

4.5 / 5 (Best)

Total Reviews:

23 (Better)

Score Consistency:

Consistent (Best)

Ledges Farm Dog Camp

Des Moines area dogs that board at Ledges Farm Dog Camp receive organic nutrition, morning and evening nature hikes, and comfortable kennel arrangements. The Central Iowa boarding kennel is on a working farm in Boone where the owner lives next door to the dogs and bakes them cookies and snacks. The staff at Ledges Farm Dog Camp welcomes dogs who come with special care needs, such as geriatric or physically challenged pets.

Click to Call

Boone, IA 50036

Website

(515) 351-8033 Website

Reputation: A

More Info

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.

Online Profiles:

2 (Better)

Average Review Score:

4.6 / 5 (Best)

Total Reviews:

7 (Good)

Score Consistency:

Consistent (Best)

Raccoon River Kennels

Raccoon River Kennels is a West Des Moines dog boarding and daycare business that provides a safe and comfortable space for dogs to stay away from home. Clients can select a university-themed suite for their dog, including U of I, ISU, or Drake. Boarding services cover at least three river view walks a day for each dog, accommodations for special diet requirements, and optional grooming.

Click to Call

West Des Moines, IA 50266

Website

(515) 987-9794 Website

Reputation: A+

More Info

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.

Online Profiles:

2 (Better)

Average Review Score:

4.5 / 5 (Best)

Total Reviews:

13 (Better)

Score Consistency:

Consistent (Best)

Rush Animal Care P.C.

Greater Des Moines area cat and dog owners can board their pets at Rush Animal Care P.C. in Johnston. The owner-veterinarian, Dr. Rush, graduated from ISU’s veterinary college and opened her clinic in 1992. Dog boarding is in indoor-outdoor runs with a TV on in the kennel area and low lighting at night. Rush Animal Care P.C. supports the Pet Project, helping people who are experiencing financial difficulties to feed and house their pets.

Click to Call

Johnston, IA 50131

Website

(515) 270-2240 Website

South Des Moines Veterinary Center

South Des Moines Veterinary Center (SDMVC) has been serving the surrounding community since 1964. The business gives Des Moines pet owners access to dog boarding, daycare, grooming, and nutritional counseling in addition to veterinary services. Everyone on the care team participates in continuing education. Team members who assist with boarding include some who are in or on their way to vet school and one who has been with SDMVC for almost thirty years.

Click to Call

Des Moines, IA 50315

Website

(515) 285-5523 Website

Reputation: A

More Info

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.

Online Profiles:

1 (Good)

Average Review Score:

5 / 5 (Best)

Total Reviews:

1 (Good)

Score Consistency:

Consistent (Best)

The Barking Lot

The Barking Lot, a family-owned dog boarding facility near Des Moines, is a member of the Grimes Chamber of Commerce and the International Boarding & Pet Services Association. Boarding pets stay with staff who are Pet First Aid and CPR certified and who participate in Animal Behavior continuing education. Additional staff certifications include Canine Massage Therapy and AKC judging. Clients can choose a themed VIP dog suite such as Vegas, Jungle, Hollywood, Iowa State, or U of I. Boarding dogs get four individual walks a day, with playtime and dog social time available.

Click to Call

Urbandale, IA 50322

Website

(515) 331-4628 Website

Reputation: A+

More Info

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.

Online Profiles:

2 (Better)

Average Review Score:

4.8 / 5 (Best)

Total Reviews:

25 (Best)

Score Consistency:

Consistent (Best)

Wil-a-lo Kennels

Wil-a-lo Kennels, founded in 1950, is a state-licensed, northwest Des Moines dog boarding and daycare facility. The kennel manager has an Animal Science degree from ISU, and the owner is a local vet who lives on-site. Dogs board private indoor-outdoor runs that include ergonomic, raised beds. The pet care business also accepts cats and other small pets for overnight boarding. The 2012 movie “Smitty” shot on location at Wil-a-lo Kennels.

Click to Call

Des Moines, IA 50322

Website

(515) 278-2336 Website

Reputation: A

More Info

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.

Online Profiles:

1 (Good)

Average Review Score:

5 / 5 (Best)

Total Reviews:

4 (Good)

Score Consistency:

Consistent (Best)

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