FAQ: Boarding

Central Pet Boarding: Business Hours and Location

Visit our Location page for full details on Central Pet boarding hours and location. 

Are you open Sunday?

No, we are not open Sundays.

What time can I drop off my pet?

For all boarding reservations, we require all guests to be dropped off no later than an hour before closing time.

Monday thru Friday drop-off times:7a-6p

Saturday drop-off times: 8a-4p

We ask this to allow the pets time to adjust to their new environment, time to go out a relieve themselves, as well as be supervised before shift change.

What time is pick up?

All boarding guests should be picked up by 12 pm noon to avoid an additional night charge.

Please keep in mind that if your pet participates in daycare the day of pick up or is getting a departure bath or groom the day of pick up, the additional night fee is waived, and the pet can be picked up as late as 6p Monday thru Friday and 4p on Saturdays.

Can I pick-up/drop-off my pet outside of normal business hours?

For the safety of our staff as well as to reduce the stress on our boarding guests, we do not allow pets to be dropped off or picked up outside of normal hours.

How are boarding fees calculated?

Boarding room rates are charged per night. On the day of arrival, guests may be dropped off at any time during normal business hours, although we do recommend dropping off no later until an hour before closing.  On the scheduled date of departure, check-out is at noon. However, you may pick up your pet anytime during business hours with the understanding that pets picked up after noon will incur an additional night's fee.

Can I make a reservation online?

To ensure that all of your needs are met, we do not offer online reservations.  However, we do offer online Reservation Requests!  Simply complete the form, and one of our amazing team members will contact you to book your reservation and ensure that we have all of the needed information to provide the very best care for your little ones!

How old does a pet need to be to board?

We will allow a pet as young as 9 weeks given that the pet has 2 rounds of Parvovirus/Distemper vaccination.

Please note that all pets under 4 months of age and not vaccinated against rabies can not participate in our Doggy daycare program until they are vaccinated.

Do you ever reach maximum capacity? How far out should we schedule a reservation?

Yes, we do! It is recommended that you make your boarding reservations a minimum of two weeks prior during non-peak seasons.

The peak season includes Summer and Winter breaks as well as holidays.

Summer/Winter peak reservation done: 6-12 weeks prior

Easter Weekend, Memorial Day, Fourth of July, and Labor Day: 8-12 weeks prior

For Thanksgiving and Christmas, as well as New Year's reservations, we suggest reserving those dates starting the first week of September.

Waitlists will be available for all major holidays once we are full. Please remember that if your pet(s) need special accommodations, such as needing to be in an indoor/outdoor room only, please make your reservations a minimum of 12 weeks prior.

Are cats and other animals kept separate from dogs?

Other small animals will have their enclosures placed in our small animal room or our employee areas.

What is the daily schedule like for my dog?

Great question! We want your pet to feel right at home when staying with us.  We ensure that they are taken to a private play yard at least 5 times per day.  In addition, feeding is done at 6am, 12pm, and 5pm.

Have a special routine that you would like us to follow? No problem! For a minimal fee, we offer doggy daycare, walks, treadmill time, one on one play time, turn-down services, and more to ensure that your pet's schedule is not interrupted. Ask us about our Additional Services, and we'll help you customize a stay that works for you and your pet!

Do you board puppies/kittens?

We do!  When it comes to puppies we do require that they are at least 9 weeks of age and have had their first 2 rounds of Parvo vaccinations.  For kittens, we require that they are at least 8 weeks of age and have had their FVRCP vaccination.  If you want to start basic commands and ensure your pup is socialized, ask about starting our Doggy Daycare or Play & Train sessions!

Do you board pets with medical issues?

Our staff are highly trained and able to handle the majority of pre-diagnosed medical issues during your pet's stay.  Please keep in mind that we are not a veterinarian, nor do we have one on staff.  However, if your vet has given you instructions or medications that you would like us to administer, we are happy to do so.  While we are able to care for numerous conditions, there are still occasions when we will be unable to assist in the care of your pet.  These situations include any contagious disease or illness as well as pets who will need end of life care during their stay.  If you have questions or would like to discuss your personal situation in more detail, please give us a call and we will be happy to help.

What type of exercise will my dog get while boarding?

Every canine guest room includes at least 5 daily trips out to a private play yard.  This means that your pet will not only get to use the restroom regularly but will get to run and romp in the grass, splash in the summer pools, and play on the yard equipment, too!  

Socialization with other dogs is NOT included in boarding. We do offer doggy daycare for an additional fee. Doggy daycare is NOT a requirement to board with us.

Do you offer group play for boarding dogs?

Doggy Daycare is our most popular add-on for our boarding guests.  When you opt-in, your pup will spend their days in our supervised daycare rooms, running and playing with our other guests.  A live stream of our daycare room is available online via our "View Your Pet" webcams.  We do require that all daycare participants pass a Temperament Test prior to entry.  If you would like to arrange for your pup to take this test, simply fill out the application and we will contact you to schedule a date.

What should I bring while my pet is boarding there?

We allow our boarding guests to bring in a few toys, food, treats, bedding, leash, collar, and any medications or personal care items.  If you prefer, we are happy to feed your dog or cat our kennel kibble. However, a sudden change to a pet's diet may cause intestinal distress and diarrhea.  For those pets who do not come in with their own bedding, we provide cots and beds to all of our guests. If you are bringing in food, medications, or medical care supplies, we ask that you provide us with enough for a few extra days, just in case things don't go as planned and you are unable to return by your scheduled date of departure.

Add medication and supplement charges are an additional fee whether those have been added to their food or not.

Do you offer day boarding?

Yes! For dogs that are less social or unable to pass the Temperament Test, day boarding is a wonderful alternative. Your pet will stay in one of our standard rooms and will be regularly taken to a  private play yard. Ask about adding on a Play & Train session to ensure your pup is getting all the activity they need!

Your pet must be picked up by the end of the day.

When my dog comes home from boarding, he/she drinks a TON of water! Don't you give water there?

We get asked this question all the time! Please rest assured that your dog has clean water available 24 hours a day.  Some dogs don’t drink as much while boarding due to the extra amount of mental stimulation they experience by being in new surroundings.   (With all the new sights, sounds, smells and people, they can get overly excited and focus less on drinking.)  While this is common, know that we monitor your pet's water intake and we will contact you or a vet should your pet refuse to drink for 24 hours.  (Although this scenario is rare).  If your dog drinks in excess when they get home, simply keep an eye on how much water they drink in short periods as drinking large amounts of water too quickly may cause vomiting.  

Is it OK to call and check on my pet while I'm away?

Feel free to call us any time during business hours to get an update on your pet.  We understand how much you miss them and we want you to know that we are always available to answer any questions you may have.

Is someone at the kennel 24 hours a day? What happens if there is an emergency?

Great question!  We have staff on site 22 hours a day, every day of the year.  The only time the facility is unmanned is during shift change when night staff comes on and subsequently departs.  Our facilities are locked and set with top of the line security systems.  We also have video cameras running inside and outside of the facility at all times.  In case of an emergency, we have on-call staff within a few miles of each building, as well as fire alarms and smoke detectors.  The safety of your pet is our number one priority at all times.

My pet takes several medications. Will you give my pet these medications? Is there a charge?

We are happy to administer any medication your pet requires, from pills and vitamins to injections and subcutaneous fluids. There is a charge of $2 for each medication each time it is given, with a daily cap of $6. Injections or sub-cutaneous fluids are $5 each time they are given with no daily cap.  Our administering staff have been highly trained to ensure that your pet gets the best possible care during their stay.  

Please note that medications/supplements added to a pet's food prior to check-in will still incur the $2 administration fee.

Does Central Pet provide food for my pet or do I have to bring in my own?

We highly encourage all clients to provide their own food to avoid upset stomachs in their pets. With that said, we are happy to provide food to your canine or feline pet during their stay. A feline will also be served Feline Diamond Natural Chicken and Rice. We, unfortunately, do NOT provide wet food for our guests. If your pet has a specific diet or food restrictions and you forgot to bring food, we suggest you buy something from our retail area.

Effective May 23, 2022, Central Pet will charge $1 per meal for all clients that request to have us feed our provided food. This policy change is due to the ongoing supply chain shortages and the constant rise in prices. This is an effort to continue to keep our current prices and continue said service. We highly encourage all clients to provide their own food to avoid upset stomachs in their pets. There is no additional charge for bringing your own food.

If you have any questions regarding our kennel food policy, please ask one of our Customer Service Representatives at check-in or reach out via email/phone.

If your pet suffers from allergies, we request that you bring in their usual food from home. Be aware that any sudden switch in your pet's diet may cause gastrointestinal distress and diarrhea. For this reason, bringing in their usual diet is highly recommended.

How long after I adopted my pet can they be boarded?

We require at least 30 days wait after adopting any pet from any shelter or rescue in the state.

Does my pet have to be spayed/neutered to board?

No, your pets do not need to be spayed or neutered to board in our facility. They only need to be spayed or neutered to participate in our Daycare program.

If your female is in heat, we do ask that you inform us of it at the time of check-in. Please note that any unaltered pairs in which the female is in-heat will need to be boarded separately, and the owner will be responsible for fees for the individual rooms.

Can my pet be boarded even if they are human-aggressive/reactive?

The answer to this question can be a bit difficult. To be able to provide the best care possible, it is extremely important that we be able to handle your pet. There are some circumstances that won’t allow it. We ask that a pet with human reactivity/aggression be boarded in one of our indoor/outdoor suites in case they truly cannot be handled. Please note that Central Pet LLC must be notified of any human aggression at the time of making the reservation. Failure to do so will cause Central Pet LLC to terminate further services with the client(s).

Can my dog board even if they are dog aggressive/ reactive?

Absolutely. We ask that we are informed of any kind of reactivity and aggression when making the reservation.

Do you require a meet and greet or temperament test to be able to board my pet?

No, we do not require a meet and greet or a temperament test unless you’re interested in having your pet participate in our doggy daycare program.

Can my pets be boarded together?

Absolutely! Depending on the size of the room and the size of the pets will determine how many of your pets can board together. We do not board different species together.

Please note that even though some pets are fine together at home, placing them in a strange environment, in a smaller confined space, on top of the added stress of being boarded, can cause some pets to have altercations. If this is the case, pets will be separated, and additional room fees will apply.