Dog Boarding in Madison

Dog boarding in and around Madison 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 warm in winter and cool in summer.

Visiting is your best check

Wisconsin's agriculture department licenses dog breeders, dealers, shelters and rescues, but its dog seller and facility program page says there is no license or inspection required for boarding kennels, dog groomers or anyone else. That covers the state program only; city and county rules such as zoning and business licensing may still apply. So the visit is your inspection: look for clean, dry runs, fresh water, secure fencing, staff who know the dogs by name, and a clear plan for a dog that gets sick.

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. Wisconsin law says all dogs must be vaccinated for rabies by the age of five months.

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 a cold snap and 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: all City of Madison residents with a dog 5 months of age or older must have it licensed, the license year runs January 1 through December 31, and the application needs proof of a current rabies vaccination.

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.