2010 Reviews

I was hoping to get current reviews/recommendations for dog boarding facilities in the Oakland Area. There seem to be several ''doggy day care'' companies with overnight options. Just curious what experiences people have had, good or bad. Thanks M

Can anyone recommend a good Alameda or Oakland kennel for boarding a small dog? More specifically... our first baby is due at the beginning of April, and we are trying to figure out what to do with our dog during labor/delivery/recovery... we recently moved to Alameda and don't know anyone near home who we can ask to watch our dog for a few days... We used to use a wonderful boarding place in Sonoma, called Happy Pets Inn... but they don't do pick- ups in the East Bay, and we don't have much interest in driving to Sonoma and back once labor starts... Eddie is an aging, somewhat needy lhasa apso. We're looking for a place that keeps him relatively comfortable, with a good amount of outdoor time and some human interaction. But it need not be otherwise fancy or ''pamper''-oriented... Pick up / drop off is convenient, but not a must, assuming the location is not too far away. Any suggestions would be much appreciated! Elaina

We are looking for a good dog-boarding situation for 10 days in April for our Jack Russell (calm for his breed). We had two lovely dog boarding situations - in home, no crates, experienced dog-handlers. One ceased business the other has temporarily stopped. We are looking for the same sort of situation. The recommendations on the site bit dated - anyone have some good leads for us? Thanks Pam

2008 - 2009 Reviews

Hello, We have a rescue dog who is the most lovable dog around the house and with people she knows. With most strangers, she can be aggressive although she has stayed in kennels in other states before with no problems. She also can wear a muzzle. We are looking for a kennel that will take dogs with bhavioral issues in the East Bay. Any recommendaitons? Melanie

They have individual runs for the dogs and the price is good. It's a little out there in Danville but our dog is dog aggressive and none of the kennels closer in would take her. I've been very happy with this place.

I am expecting our first baby in 2 months and I am looking for a reliable and trustworthy dogsitter (house-sitter), local kennel or in-home care recommendation for our dog. Since I don't know exactly when I am going to go into labor I can't make too many firm arrangements ahead of time- but I definitely need someone to look after this friendly and energetic labrador retriever! A Dog-walking service really isn't enough care as she is not used to being alone at home for more than about 6-7 hours a day and we have no nearby family to take her for the 2-3 days I will be in the hospital. I am open to a weekly paid dogwalk in the weeks ahead or a trial overnight boarding to find the right person or situation- plus I could use a break from walking the dog at this point!! Recommendations appreciated!!

We are going away for two weeks this summer and just found out our usual dog-sitter will also be gone during the same time. We are looking for a recommendation of someone who takes care of dogs in their own home rather than coming to mine or boarding in a kennel. Our dog is small and relatively easy, gets along well with other animals. Looking for someone who would make my dog a part of the sitter's home while we are on vacation. anonymous

I gave both my dogs a bath, during which I noticed that my other dog's back side was covered in dried feces--and I mean covered, as though he'd had diarrhea for a few days. This is a young healthy dog who has never before had diarrhea.

I called Leslie and asked her what had happened. She stated that she kept a very close eye on all the dogs in her care and wasn't aware that anything had happened.

I took my 12 year old to the vet the next morning. The vet agreed she had been bitten by another dog. He put her on antibiotics and told me to return if it didn't improve. Unfortunately, it only got worse. She developed a huge abscess, her entire face swelled up with fluid, and she was in terrible pain. I returned to the vet, and he drained the wound by pulling off the scab and then rinsing it out. With the scabs removed, it was clear just how serious a bite this had been, and the vet couldn't believe it went unnoticed for so long.

I feel horrible that I left my dogs there for two weeks. Needless to say, I do not recommend Animal Works. jdh

I am going out of town for a wedding and must leave my older dog who requires a high level of care (including medicine) behind. Due to circumstance, a house sitter is not an option, but I am not familiar with any East Bay boarding facilities. Can anyone give recommendations for a kennel with attentive, round-the-clock care? Doggiemama

2006 - 2007 Reviews

We will be traveling for a few weeks this summer. We cannot take our dog to her usual wonderful kennel because she is sick and on immunosuppressants (we cannot vaccinate her and any standard kennel requires this). And all of our backup family and friends that often watch her are unavailable. Are there any special care kennels in the Bay area? Even though she cannot mingle with other dogs we want her to have some free roaming space during the day. Also, we are highly reluctant to have someone we don't know stay with her at home. Any good leads greatly appreciated. Thank you! -Kylie

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

2003 & Earlier

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

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

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

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

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

Ann Breton 
Breton's School for Dogs and Cats 
1455 Lawrence Road 
Danville, CA 94526

925.736.6231 
925.736.6795 FAX

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

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. James

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. Nancy

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.

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.