Dog boarding: what to look for.
When you travel, you want your dog to be well and you want to stop worrying. These points help you find a boarding house that suits your dog.
Plan early
Plan early, especially for school holidays and public holidays. On GetDogWalkers free places come live from each boarding house’s occupancy: enter arrival and departure in the search and you only see boarding houses where every night is free.
The accommodation
- Where does your dog sleep: in a room of its own, in a kennel or with the family?
- How many dogs stay at the same time, and how are groups put together?
- Is there outdoor space and somewhere quiet for your dog to rest?
- Ask whether you can see the rooms at the meet and greet.
The daily routine
- When is feeding time, and can your dog have its usual food?
- How often and for how long do the dogs go outside?
- Group or individual care, and how much rest does your dog get?
- How do you stay in touch with the boarding house while you are away?
Documents and health
Whether the boarding house asks for a vaccination record is listed in the acceptance rules on the profile. If your dog needs medication, write down dose and times precisely and talk it through beforehand. Leave a phone number where you can be reached and your vet’s contact details.
Meet first
Before the first longer stay, a meet and greet is worth it. Many providers offer it for free, and you book it right on the profile. If you then book with the same provider within 7 days, there is no service fee. Which questions to ask is in the guide Meet and greet: questions to ask.
Price, deposit and cancellation
Boarding houses charge per night or per day, counted up to the day of departure. When you book you pay a 30% deposit, the rest follows 48 hours before arrival. You see the total price including the service fee before you pay.
| Cancellation tier | Boarding and overnight sitting |
|---|---|
| Flexible | 100% up to 3 days before, then 50% |
| Moderate | 100% up to 14 days before, 50% up to 3 days before, no refund after that |
| Strict | 50% up to 14 days before, no refund after that; the deposit stays with the provider |
Which tier applies is shown on the profile and in your booking. If the boarding house cancels, you get everything back and a suitable replacement suggested within 24 hours.
Packing list
- Usual food for every day and a list of feeding times
- Lead and harness
- A blanket or cushion that smells of home
- Vaccination record, if the boarding house asks for it
- Medication with written instructions
- Your phone number and your vet’s contact details