Best Dog Boarding And Daycare Options In Salt Lake City

Choosing a doggy daycare or place to board your pet can be overwhelming. It’s a big decision that no dog-parent will take lightly, so we’ve done the digging for you on the best doggy daycares and boarding facilities in Salt Lake City.

As a dog owner in Salt Lake, you’re in luck, nearly every boarding facility is highly rated. And no matter your location, you’ll be able to find somewhere conveniently located for you and your dog, making drop-off and pick-up a breeze. Choosing a reliable daycare that your pet is used to attending can save you from being stuck in a pinch if there is ever an emergency or sudden change of plans.

Here at Dog Friendly SLC, we’ve evaluated pricing, features, hours, reviews and social media presence of dog boarding and doggy daycare facilities in SLC to help guide you in your decision, but at the end of the day, you know what is best for your dog.

How To Choose The Best Boarding Facility For Your Dog

It may take time for your dog to get used to being cared for by others in a foreign location, to help your pup adjust it’s best to start getting them acclimated as puppies by taking them a few times per week to get them socialized. Your dog will start looking forward to seeing staff and other dog friends in no time. Most daycares and boarding facilities offer a free trial day or half-day, but remember it can also take a few weeks to get in for an evaluation, that’s why establishing a relationship sooner rather than later will you help you out in the long run.

Like most businesses right now, Salt Lake’s dog facilities are experiencing hardship due to the labor shortage and ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, so just remember to be understanding and kind as you navigate this new adventure with your dog.

Determine What’s Important to You

There will be pros and cons to any dog boarding facility, so it can help to make a list of what is important to you. What is your budget? Which facilities are closest to your home or normal travel routes? What offerings, like live cameras, kennel vs. playtime, staff ratios, are most important to you? Answering these questions can help you narrow down your options for dog boarding and daycare in Salt Lake.

Set a Realistic Budget

Okay, let’s talk budget. Most dog boarding in Salt Lake averages $40 per night while a full day of daycare averages $27. Almost every facility offers discounts on bulk packages. We will give exact prices in our rundown below, but it’s good to know what to expect.

As you evaluate your budget, think about how many days per week or month you’d like to take your dog to daycare. Are you taking them for socialization rather than necessary care? In that case, maybe you could do a few days per week to save some money.

If you’re looking for boarding, it can help to factor the cost of pet care into your vacation or trip planning budget, then you know exactly what to expect and will already have it budgeted for.

Ask for Recommendations

Asking for recommendations from friends, vets or neighbors can provide amazing insight from fellow dog owners. It’s also worth asking any dog Facebook groups you a part of, here’s ours.

Conduct Research

Next, start your online research. We find Google Reviews to be the most thorough. Keep in mind that every place will have negative and positive reviews because every dog and owner’s needs are different, that’s why it is important to make your decision based on what’s best for your situation.

If location is a factor for you, begin by researching the facilities closest to you and start scheduling tours.

Take a Tour

Once you’ve narrowed your options down, you should tour some of the facilities you liked best based on reviews and your pros and cons list. Here are some important questions to ask on your tour.

• How much free time versus kennel time will my dog have?

• What is the maximum amount of dogs you board at one time?

• How do you handle disputes between dogs?

• What kind of updates can I expect while my dog is with you?

• How far in advance do you typically book out?

• How many hours per day are staff on-site?

Getting answers to these questions can help make sure you will have peace of mind and your dog’s needs will be met at your boarding facility of choice.

 In addition, most facilities require a temperament test day for both boarding and daycare. But even if they don’t, it’s a good idea to do one just to make sure your dog will be OK with such a high level of socialization. Usually, the temperament tests are free and last for about half a day, though you may have to pay a small fee and some doggy daycare facilities.

And last, it’s ok if you need to try multiple facilities before finding the right fit. In fact, it’s probably a good idea to try multiple so you know you’ve found the best fit for your pet.

Best Boarding and Daycare Facilities In Salt Lake City

Highest Rated

Desert Dog Daycare

• Location: Salt Lake City

• Cameras: Yes

• Boarding price: $40

• Daycare price: $25

• Hours: 7:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.

Reviewers love Desert Dog Daycare, it seems. With an impressive 4.9 star rating, they are the highest rated facility in the Salt Lake metro area. Opened in 2006, Desert Dog Daycare prides itself on being locally owned so you can expect quality care without the corporate feel. Clients praise their webcams, efficient drop-off and pick-up times and attentive staff. Dogs come home from this facility happy and tired after enjoying both indoor and outdoor playgrounds, according to reviewers.

Best Structured Training Environment

Liberty Bark 

• Location: Salt Lake City

• Cameras: No

• Boarding Price: $40

• Daycare Price: $25

• Hours: 7:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.

Liberty Bark is new to the scene but clients offered praise for their structured environment and willingness to accept dogs who have struggled with daycare in the past. They are training and enrichment focused. Liberty Bark strikes the perfect balance between play and structure while teaching your dog proper manners and socialization skills. They boast one-on-one training time with all dogs in order to help them learn excitement regulation and healthy relationships with other dogs and people.

According to clients they provide frequent text and photo updates. Liberty Bark also draws positive reviews for their in-depth knowledge of each dog and flexibility with all temperament types.

Best For Early Risers

Fetch Daycare

• Location: South Salt Lake

• Cameras: No

• Boarding Price: $37

• Daycare Price: $25

• Hours: 6:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.

If you need earlier drop-off times than most daycares offer, Fetch is a great option with 6:00 a.m. drop-offs available on weekdays. Fetch allows dogs to have outdoor access at all times. They are locally owned and committed to keeping Utah’s pets healthy safe and happy with stringent cleaning protocol and staff members who truly love animals. Fetch is also great for puppies, they keep young dogs separated from the other dogs until they are ready to join the pack.

Reviewers love the staff’s attentiveness, ability to know every dog’s name and quickness to act on any issues that may arise. Fetch offers midday hikes for dogs with good off-leash manners who need a little extra exercise, according to their website.

Best For Personal Attention

Aarf Pet Care

• Location: Murray

• Cameras: No

• Boarding Price: $55

• Daycare Price: $35

• Hours: 7:30 a.m. – 7:30 p.m.

If you’re looking for personal attention and low staff to dog ratios, Aarf Pet Care is a great option. They take less than 20 dogs at a time, meaning your dog will get plenty of attention and it’s in an actual house with staff on-site 24 hours a day. They offer daily report cards and hiking, one of their main values is combing daily exercise with the great outdoors.

Founded in 2008, Aarf also provides in-home pet sitting and dog walking. With 11 members on staff, Aarf truly can provide expert care and get to know your dog on a personal level. Giving you peace of mind whenever you leave town or need a little extra care for you pet.

Best For Highly Active Dogs

DogMode

• Location: Millcreek

• Cameras: Yes

• Boarding Price: $45

• Daycare Price: $29

• Hours: 7:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.

DogMode is popular, just look at the (428) reviews. With more cameras than any other local facility and a pool, your dog will have a great time and you’ll have peace of mind. The indoor dog pool is an add-on service perfect for energetic dogs. Not only do clients love the pool, but they also praise DogMode for cleanliness, attentive staff and detailed reports.

DogMode is family-owned since 1999 and they understand the importance of play in a happy dog’s life. Staff are there to guide your dog in healthy play and to make sure your dog is staying safe by keeping the play areas and rest areas clean and sanitized.

Best For Small Dogs

The Puppy Lounge

• Location: Salt Lake City

• Cameras: Yes

• Boarding Price: $35

• Daycare Price: $24 ($4 per hour)

• Hours: 7:00 a.m. – 6:30 p.m.

The Puppy Lounge only takes small dogs (30 pounds or less and a maximum shoulder height of 15 inches), giving owners assurance that their small dog will be well-taken care of. Reviewers love that small dogs have a place all to themselves and the staff’s attentiveness to shy dogs. It’s like a glamorous vacation for your little buddy, in fact, the Puppy Lounge calls themselves a “beautiful resort rather than a traditional kennel.”

They boast comfy dog furniture, grooming and baths. Your pup will get a spa day while they are being cared for by expert staff.

Salt Lake City Dog Boarding and Daycare Map

We hope this rundown of the best doggy daycare and boarding facilities in Salt Lake City helps you find the best care for your best friend. Click on the icons below to find out more information about each facility! If you have any questions, please reach out, Dog Friendly SLC is always happy to help fellow dog-lovers.

We strive to keep our maps and information as up-to-date as possible, but please refer to individual location sites for the most current rates and offerings.

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