Dog Boarding Services
Dog Boarding in Alexandria
Dog boarding kennels, pet resorts and day care centers with overnight stays in and around Alexandria, from Old Town to Del Ray. Contact them directly to check availability, prices and the vaccinations they require.
Available Facilities
8 premium boarding facilities in Alexandria
Your Dog's Best Friends
Professional dog boarding service
Whole Dogz
Professional dog boarding service
Playful Pack
Professional dog boarding service
Molly's Dog Care Alexandria
Professional dog boarding service
Dogtopia of Alexandria
Professional dog boarding service
Biscuit Break Pet Services
Professional dog boarding service
A Dog's Day Out
Professional dog boarding service
A Dog's Day Out
Professional dog boarding service
Dog boarding near Alexandria
All cities in VirginiaOther pet services in Alexandria
Pro Tips
- Visit local facilities in person before booking
- Book 2-4 weeks in advance for peak seasons
- Prepare vaccination records and instructions
- Pack familiar items for your pet's comfort
Choosing dog boarding in Alexandria
Dog boarding in and around Alexandria ranges from small kennels to pet resorts and day care centers with overnight stays. Visit before you book: a good facility will happily show you where dogs sleep, play and eat, and how it keeps them cool in summer.
Virginia law on boarding
Virginia law defines a boarding establishment as a place where companion animals not owned by the proprietor are sheltered, fed and watered in exchange for a fee. Like groomers, boarding establishments are responsible for giving each animal the care the law requires, and for emergency veterinary treatment if a pet is hurt or ill in their custody; they pay for treatment if the injury resulted from their own failure or actions (Va. Code 3.2-6518). Ask a facility what city and state approvals it holds, and visit before you book.
Vaccines
Most facilities ask for rabies, DHPP and Bordetella (kennel cough), and many ask for canine influenza, whose first course is two doses a few weeks apart. Ask which vaccines a facility requires well before your trip, and how it separates a dog that starts coughing.
What to ask
- Where do dogs sleep, and is someone on site overnight?
- Is play time in groups or one dog at a time, and how are groups matched?
- How do they keep dogs cool in a heat wave?
- Which vet do they use in an emergency?
- Can you bring your dog's own food, bedding or medication?
Busy dates and your dog's license
Facilities fill up for summer, the Fourth of July, Thanksgiving and the winter holidays, so book early. Bring your dog's vaccination records and its city license: Alexandria City Code requires all dogs over four months old to be licensed. In summer, the Animal Welfare League's hot weather tips warn that when it is 72 degrees outside it can be 116 degrees inside a parked car.
About these listings
Many listings here were added from public business data and have not been claimed by the business yet. Check hours, prices and availability with the business directly. If you run one of these businesses, you can claim or correct your listing from its page.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Are boarding kennels regulated in Virginia?
Virginia law makes a boarding establishment responsible for giving each animal the care the law requires, including emergency veterinary treatment. Ask a facility what city and state approvals it holds, and visit before you book.
Who pays if my dog is hurt while boarding?
Under Virginia law, a boarding establishment must provide emergency veterinary treatment for an ill or injured pet. It pays if the injury resulted from its failure to give required care or from its own actions; otherwise the owner bears the reasonable and necessary cost.
What vaccinations does my dog need for boarding?
Most facilities ask for rabies, DHPP and Bordetella (kennel cough), and many ask for canine influenza. The first canine flu course is two doses a few weeks apart, so plan ahead.
How much does dog boarding cost in Alexandria?
Prices vary with the facility and the type of room, so ask for a quote. Private suites cost more than standard kennels, and many places charge more over holidays.
Does my dog need a license to be boarded?
Alexandria City Code requires all dogs over four months old to be licensed, and a license tag cannot be issued without evidence of rabies vaccination. Bring the license and vaccination records when you book.
Should I visit before booking?
Yes. Ask to see where dogs sleep and play, how they are kept warm or cool and who is on site overnight. Some facilities offer a trial day, which helps nervous dogs settle in.