Dog Boarding Services
Dog Boarding in Hamilton
Dog boarding kennels, pet resorts and day care centres with overnight stays across Hamilton. Contact them directly to check availability, prices and the vaccinations they require.
Available Facilities
8 premium boarding facilities in Hamilton
The Scratching Post
Professional dog boarding service
The Ridge
Professional dog boarding service
Pooch Haven Grooming and Doggie Daycare
Professional dog boarding service
Pet Paradise and K9 Resort
Professional dog boarding service
Must Love Dogs Pet Care Svc
Professional dog boarding service
Ancaster Doggy Daycare
Professional dog boarding service
A&P K9 Training and Daycare
Professional dog boarding service
4 Paws Tree House Boarding and Daycare
Professional dog boarding service
Dog boarding near Hamilton
- Burlington 6
- Milton 5
- St. George 1
- West Lincoln 1
- Lincoln 1
- Brantford 2
- Cambridge 2
- North Dumfries 1
Other pet services in Hamilton
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 Hamilton
Dog boarding in Hamilton ranges from small kennels and in-home hosts to pet resorts and day care centres 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 warm in a cold snap and cool in a heat wave.
Kennel licences
Under Hamilton's business licensing by-law, no kennel operator may run a kennel without a licence. The by-law defines a kennel operator as a person running a commercial establishment for keeping or boarding animals for more than 16 consecutive hours, and that definition leaves out daycare, training and grooming. Ask a boarding facility whether it holds a City kennel licence, and look at where the dogs stay before you book.
Your dog's licence
Hamilton requires a dog licence: you must get one before your dog is three months old, attach it to your dog's collar and renew it every year. Groomers and boarding businesses will often ask for proof of rabies vaccination as well.
Respiratory illness and vaccines
In December 2023, when a respiratory illness in dogs was making headlines across North America, Global News reported that pet insurance claims for respiratory disease in Ontario were up about 25 per cent from the year before, while an Ontario Veterinary College infection specialist said he believed the cause was the usual suspects. Kennel cough is the common name for several of these illnesses, and it spreads wherever dogs mix. Ask your vet whether your dog needs a vaccine such as Bordetella before a stay, and ask the facility 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 warm in winter and cool in summer?
- Which vet do they use in an emergency?
- Can you bring your dog's own food, bedding or medication?
Busy dates
Facilities fill up for summer, Canada Day, Thanksgiving in October and the winter holidays, so book early, and bring your dog's vaccination records and municipal licence number.
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
How can I check a boarding kennel in Hamilton?
Hamilton's business licensing by-law requires a kennel operator, a business boarding animals for more than 16 consecutive hours, to hold a licence. Ask the facility whether it has one, visit before you book, and ask about staffing, cleaning and emergency vet care.
What vaccines does my dog need to board?
Each facility sets its own rules. Most ask for proof of rabies, DHPP and Bordetella (kennel cough) vaccination, so check with the facility and your vet well before the stay. Also bring your Hamilton dog licence number, since every dog in the city must be licensed.
Should my dog have the kennel cough vaccine?
Ask your vet. Kennel cough spreads wherever dogs mix, and Ontario vets saw more respiratory cases in 2023 across Ontario. The Bordetella vaccine does not cover every cause, but it can lessen how severe the illness is.
How much does dog boarding cost in Hamilton?
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.
How far ahead should I book?
For summer, Canada Day, Thanksgiving and the winter holidays, book several weeks ahead, because popular facilities fill up.
What should I pack for my dog's stay?
Your dog's usual food, any medication with written instructions, copies of its vaccination records and Hamilton dog licence, its microchip number if it has one, and your vet's contact details. A familiar blanket or toy can help too.