Dog Boarding and Kennels
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Dog Boarding and Kennels
March 2006
We are going away for 2 weeks in April, looking for a good,
inexpensive place to board our 15 pound dog. Just moved from
LA and don't know where to go. Thanks Alice
Alice
I have taken my dog to Maranda Ranch Kennels in Sonoma for longer vacations. It takes 45 min-1
hour to get there from Berkeley but it is much cheaper ($25/day) than the kennels I've found
closer in. Maranda Ranch is a family business (they live on the property) and the owners clearly
love animals (they keep horses as well as a few goats and chickens). The dogs get their own
''rooms'' that include outdoor runs and they have group playtime 3 times per day. Our
high-energy dog Greta comes back completely tuckered out. The drive is an inconvenience but well
worth it if we'll be gone more than a few days -- I know Greta is safe and having fun while
we're away.
Eve
I don't know what your price range is, but when we leave for
longer vacations, we send our black lab to Anderson Acres up in
Santa Rosa. They charge around $30/day last time we used them. Anderson Acres is a big farm
where the dogs can play, play, and
play all they want. The owners and their staff are very friendly
and take pains to find good playmates for your dog among the
other dogs staying there. Before you pick-up your dog, they will
bathe your dog and write up a ''report card'' for you. If you
don't mind driving an hour out to Santa Rose, I highly recommend
Anderson Acres (www.andersonacres.org). Carolyn
We have not had great experiences with dog boarding, so now we have someone come to the house.
If you go to local vets they usually have cards for people who can be trusted to dog sit for a
modest fee. We like to have someone actually stay n the house as our dog is used to company.
Right now our house cleaner stays with the dog. Think about people like this that you already
know who might like to move in for the time you are away. It is so much easier on the dog and
often less money.
Claudine
Oct 2003
I'm trying to find either a quality boarding facility or good
pet sitter for the christmas holiday. marin's camp k9 is full,
citizen canine in oakland requires a full 7 days, anderson
acres is taking recommendations for 2005, and i can't get ahold
of anyone at camp 4 paws. anything else out there i should look
at? i refuse to leave my dog at the vet - he is not a cage
oriented dog. as for pet sitters, we're looking for someone who
will basically be with the dog full time, not just someone who
comes for the night. I'm willing to pay up to $45/night for the
right person. any leads are much appreciated!!
Jen
Try Pet Camp in San Francisco, off of Cesar Chavez Dr. on the
way to SFO. They were terrific with our shepherd.
Ann
My pet sitter is Lynda Hodgskiss of Fur Sure! Pet Care. She's a
veterinary technician, a huge pet lover and great with my hard-
to-get-along-with dog. She lives is Concord. While I'm not
sure how far she's willing to travel, I know that she will
consider keeping your pet at her home. Her phone number is 925-
689-5490.
Renne
We use Happy Pets Inn in Sonoma and have been very happy. They
let the dogs out (small dogs and big dogs separately) for 2-3
play sessions a day. I think they're about 25-35 a night and
will pick up and drop off in San Francisco/Marin for a small
extra fee. Often, our dog doesn't want to leave when we pick her
up.
Chris
July 2003
Looking for a clean, reasonably priced kennel with nice personnel to
take our two adorable labs while we're out of town in Aug for a week.
We typically use Dublin Creek Kennels in Dublin and love them but they
are full.
bob
We have used Citizen Canine near the Oakland Airport. They were
clean and the staff was very sweet. When we went to pick up our
dog the entire staff came out to say good bye. They were
clearly a bunch of dog lovers. It wasn't cheap though. But we
knew he was well cared for.
anon
March 2003
Can anyone recommend a great place to board a friendly dog while
we are on vacation? I am hoping to find a place that allows the
dog in the house and does not kennel him. He is friendly with
other dogs and cats. Thank you.
Florence
For a wonderful home boarding environment, you can't beat Auntie
Jane's Bed & Breakfast -- she's off Piedmont Ave in Oakland and
gives her doggie guests full run of the back half of her house
and yard. She also takes the pups out on a brisk, leashed 5-
mile walk through the Mountain View Cemetary each morning.
She's a trooper! She's very knowledgeable about
alternative/holistic treatments for dogs and just really loves
them, all shapes and sizes. And believe me -- she is the Alpha
in the house! She can be reached at 652-4340; tell her
Whitney's mom sent you. (She does list an email at the ebpsa
website below but doesn't check it regularly so use the phone.)
You can find other sitters (perhaps one geographically closer to
you) through the East Bay Pet Sitters Association website; visit
www.ebpsa.com. Note there is a difference listed there between
sitting and boarding (sitters come to your house whereas
boarders take in dogs).
Noreen
July 2002
Any recommendations for kennels in the East bay? We
have a small dog (a corgi) but prefer places where the dogs
have their own runs and get outside once a day.
I've checked the past recommendations, but they aren't very
current. Any suggestions appreciated.
Thank you!
Molly
We have a two year old Border Terrier and recently had a great
experience with Happy Pets Inn in Sonoma((707) 939-1919). Its a
farm in Sonoma and kind of a far to drive, but Happy Pets Inn
does a daily pick up in San Francisco. Small dogs are allowed
out 3-4 times a day to socialize with other small dogs (which is
unusual for a kennel). I believe we paid about $25 per day to
board our dog over the weekend. The owners are a very friendly
French couple.
Tiffanie
What about a dogsitter....somebody with a big backyard, lots of
love, and other dogs?
m
We use the expensive but amazing Citizen Canine on Hegenberger
Rd in Oakland right near the airport. We started taking our
dogs there after they started shaking at the old kennel when we
took them there because they hated it so much.
At CC, they are greeted by name (Everyone knows and loves our
dogs), somepeople even recognized them at pt. Isabel 1 month
later because they really play with and love the dogs there.
They have a nice room and get out 4-5 x/day. 2 for playgroups
and the other times just for ''relieving'' themselves. Whenever
we drop our dogs off there they eagerly run to the front door
because they have so much fun there. We have no guilt about
leaving them because of this.
It is VERY expensive though and my husband always jokes that it
is the same price as our hotel rooms. (about 35-40/night). But
we can't say enough good things about it. You must interview
first though adn they always fill up so book early!
ilfeld
A great kennel and well worth the drive out to Danville.
Ann Breton
Breton's School for Dogs and Cats
1455 Lawrence Road
Danville, CA 94526
925.736.6231
925.736.6795 FAX
They offer play time, yard time and training. They are nice
people and we've been going there for two dogs over 20
years.
Lynn
Auntie Jane's is off Piedmont Avenue -- she takes 4-6 dogs at a
time and provides all the comforts of home. The dogs go out for
a 5-mi daily leashed walk in the cemetary and otherwise hang out
at her house (she's ''retired''). They stay indoors while she's
out and also overnight, so it's much better than a typical
kennel. Great for well-socialized doggies. She requires a pre-
interview, vaccination record, etc. Her number is (510) 652-
4340.
Noreen
We began using Leslie Elliot (Animal Works) about a year ago
from a post on this listserve. She is great and boards dogs in
her home - up to 2 at a time. She does dogsitting, dog daycare
and training. Her number is 653-7765.
Terry
Feb 2002
I'd like to recommend Citizen Canine as a great place to board a dog.
Our dog is very skittish around other dogs, so we were hesitant to
place her in any kennel. The staff sets up an interview ahead of your
first visit, where they can observe your dog and talk to you. They
take careful notes, which they seem to adhere to. Lilah was allowed
into a group play situation, but only with dogs that were very mellow.
It worked out great. We came back from our two-week vacation to an
untraumatized dog. She is happy and excited when we go back -- what
better recommendation is there? The prices are steep, but I can't say
enough nice things about them. Their website is:
http://www.citizencanine.net/
Merrilee
5/00
Mark
We are interested in getting a few more recommendations for dog
kennels than the ones already available on the parents website,
just for future reference during vacations. We are especially
interested in more open kennel situations with play areas and
more roaming time--our dog was caged during our one and
only recent vacation away from the area and was quite
traumatized by the experience, so we are looking for a kinder
and gentler alternative for a week-long stay somewhere. Any
suggestions from people with recent experience would be appreciated.
Try Auntie Jane's doggie Bed & Breakfast, near Piedmont Ave. in Oakland. I
think it's expensive ($30/day) but well worth it. Dogs are free to associate
with other dogs, etc.
Eabremner
James 11/99
We use Happy Pets Inn in Sonoma. They pick-up and deliver (at least in SF).
The couple that owns it are the most animal-loving kennel owners I've ever
met. They smother our dog with love and plenty of play time. Our dog used to
come home from kennels looking haggard and very unhappy. From Happy Pets
Inn, he comes home looking happy and pampered. Their full name is Happy Pets
Inn - Bed and Breakfast for Dogs.
From: Nancy (3/99)
I have researched this issue a bit and have found two kennels that are
tolerable. I am currently using Danlos Kennel in Crockett, 925 228-6582
(on Highway 4, about 20 minutes from Albany). They charge around $14 per
day for a Golden Retriever and are slightly lower or higher for dogs of
other sizes. I guess it is based on the amount of food they estimate the
dog will eat. They charge extra if they have to give the dog any medicine.
I don't know anything about their policy on keeping 2 dogs in one kennel.
Their runs are partly inside and partly outside, and are about 12' x 4'.
The dogs get moved individually to an exercise pen for about 15-20 minutes
a day.
I used to use a kennel in Lafayette called Waiterock Kennels( I don't have
their number any longer). It was approximately the same cost for basic
service, but they offered a personal exercise session in which one of their
staff would take your dog out of the run and play with it for I think about
half an hour. I believe this was an extra $5 per session. Waiterock also
had a terrific groomer. I have found that after about a week in a kennel,
it's nice to get the dog groomed on the day you pick it up.
From: Meg (3/99)
I once boarded my dog at a place called K-9 down near the Dumbarton bridge
in Hayward. What's special about the place is that the dogs are not isolated
in cages but are grouped together in small groups. So if your dogs like to
be social, it might be a good option. I liked the place very much, and
thought it seemed well run. I must add, though, that my dog didn't happen
to like it at all, and we never returned him there. I think it reminded him
too much of the pound from which he had recently been rescued. The place
where had been "vacationing" since then recently went out of the dog-keeping
business, but I think I recently saw an ad in the Berkeley yellow pages for
a similar place--just someone's house where they take in a few dogs at a
time. I liked the idea of a homey atmosphere and lots of people contact.
regarding a kennel: we've had almost 10 years experience with waiterock
kennels in lafayette, and have always been pleased. the women there have
clearly become attached to my 2 dogs and are caring toward them while also
accomodating toward us. they even have a policy where they will take your
dog when you go into labor, not requiring advance notice. sweet (4/99)
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