Best Dog Boarding Facilities in Des Moines

2021

4Paws Unleashed

• Daycare

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.

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.

Canine Country Club

• Training

Since 2010, the Canine Country Club has been providing dog care and boarding services to pet owners in Des Moines and the surrounding areas. The locally owned and locally operated facility privately monitors each dog's luxury suites, which are equipped with toys, blankets, and beddings. All suites are tailored for a homey overnight lodging experience. The staff members supervise the dogs inside a huge cushioned playpen area while offering them physically and mentally stimulating activities.

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.

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.

Downtown Doggy Daycare

• Grooming
• Daycare

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.

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.

Ingersoll Animal Hospital

• Bathing / Grooming

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

• Daycare

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

• Dog Walking

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

• Daycare

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.

• Grooming

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

• Daycare

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

• Daycare

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.

Wil-A-Lo Kennels

• Daycare

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.