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When you’re away from home for long periods, it’s important for your pets to still get proper care. Boarding facilities are a popular option for this because they offer consistent routines and some socialisation to keep pets happy and healthy even when they’re not with you. There are plenty of pet boarding businesses in Australia with options for short stays, long-term care, and urgent bookings. Compare all your local boarding facilities to find one that’s suitable for you and your furry friend.
A pet boarding service offers supervised care away from home. Each pet stays in their own kennel space and has mealtimes and playtime on a consistent schedule. Dogs often get daycare time during the day where they can play with the other boarding dogs.
At a boarding facility, staff can keep an eye on your pet throughout the day and update you with photos and concerns. That way, you can feel at ease knowing someone with pet experience is caring for your furry friend while you’re away.
There are over 1,000 boarding options across Australia, so to narrow down your search, consider the type of boarding you’re looking for. Decide if you want standard, luxury, multi-pet, or at-home accommodations.
Most boarding occurs in a facility with lots of kennels set up with beds for the pets. Trained staff check in on your pet throughout the day and provide food, medications, and bathroom breaks at scheduled times. With your consent, dogs can usually join playgroups at most boarding facilities to offer exercise and socialisation.
Australian Pet Board in South Kempsey and the Kip boarding chain are some popular standard boarding options.
Luxury pet boarding has all the same services as traditional boarding, but the environment is usually more upscale. Pets may have larger suites, more comfortable beds, private courtyards, and sometimes even televisions. It’s also common for luxury boarding to include optional add-ons like grooming, gourmet meals, and special enrichment.
Calabash Kennels & Cattery in Arcadia and Northshore Pet Resort in Rothwell are two popular options with luxury boarding.
Home boarding refers to when a pet sitter cares for pets in their own home rather than at a kennel space. Depending on the business structure, the sitter may have multiple dogs boarding in their home at once, but it’s usually less stressful for pets because there are fewer animals and more one-on-one attention. If you want your pet to be as comfortable as possible, hire a pet sitter to stay at your house instead so your pet can stay in a comfortable environment without other animals around.
Mad Paws is a site that can help you find home pet sitting and boarding services in your neighbourhood.
All types of boarding businesses usually offer accommodations for multi-pet households. You can get savings for boarding multiple pets at once, and in some cases, you can get them a shared suite together. However, if you’re boarding a dog and a cat, facilities usually require them to board in separate areas.
While most pet parents use boarding for short stays, life isn’t always predictable. Some situations, like holidays, moving houses, hospital stays, work travel, and urgent care, can require long term pet boarding or emergency boarding. In these cases, look for facilities that can keep pets for long periods or with flexible end dates.
Sydney Pet Resort and the Pet Resorts chain are great options for long-term boarding. If you’re having a hard time finding a last-minute option for emergency pet boarding, organisations like Animal Welfare League can often help.
If you want a jumpstart to pet obedience or need help strengthening training foundations, some boarding options also include training. This could be an occasional training session while the pet is in their care, or it could be a longer, more consistent pet training and boarding program.
Kip and Pets Training & Boarding have multiple locations across Australia that offer both boarding and training services. If you’re looking for a long-term pet boarding and training program, K9 Pro Training in Vineyard and D.O.G.S. of Vic in Templestowe have dogs board for several weeks with consistent training.
Every boarding facility operates differently, so ask lots of questions and take a tour to help you decide. While looking for the most suitable pet boarding in your neighbourhood, keep the following in mind.
First, make sure the facility accepts your pet. Most boarding is for dogs, but many have spaces for cats too. If you have a different kind of pet, house sitting may be an easier option than boarding.
Start by looking at public reviews of the business from sources like Google. If many pet parents had concerns about safety and care, it’s best to look elsewhere.
Ask the business about their sanitation procedures, emergency protocols, and temperament tests for dogs in playgroups. If the employees aren’t confident about these procedures, it may not be a safe environment for your pet.
Most boarding facilities require vaccinations for added safety. Dogs usually need the C5 vaccine and cats usually need the F3 vaccine.
If it’s not listed on the website, ask about staff experience. Do they have specific animal health and handling training? What are they trained to do when dogs misbehave?
Boarding facilities usually have individual sleeping enclosures, secure play areas, and double-gate entries. Tour the facility before booking to ensure everything looks safe and comfortable for your pet.
Find out if the facility sends updates, and if so, how often do they send them? Some facilities may also offer live video feeds during playtime so you can see how your dog is doing.
Finally, make sure the business is in your price range. In Australia, dog boarding can cost anywhere from $30 to $150 per day and cat boarding costs $20 to $100 per day. Luxury facilities in big cities will be the most expensive while basic boarding with minimal add-ons will be more affordable.
Ready to book a boarding appointment for your furry friend? Start by searching “pet boarding near me” and compare all your options.
It depends on the facility, but most boarding facilities let pets stay for up to a month. Talk to the business if you need your pet to stay longer than normal.
Yes, puppies can be boarded, but they usually need to be at least four months old. Younger puppies might not have all their vaccinations, and they shouldn’t be left alone for too long.
Boarding isn’t ideal for anxious pets because it’s an unfamiliar environment with lots of other animals around. Having a pet sitter come to your home can be a more relaxing option for your dog or cat.
Location, accommodation type, add-ons, length of stay, and your dog’s needs can all affect the pricing. Contact the facility directly to get a cost estimate.
