THE 5 BEST DOG BOARDING PICKS FOR MILITARY FAMILIES IN THE US
Having a pet and serving in the U.S. military is going to provide some unique challenges and while civilians may move around once every five years, those serving cut this time in half. Even when you aren’t moving from a PCS, there are deployments and training to consider, which is why military dog boarding is a critical service no matter which branch you are a part of. It doesn’t matter if you’re looking for long-term dog boarding for military personnel or something short-term, there are several available options that can help you give your best friend the love and care they deserve while you’re away.Related read:Animal Heroes: 6 Military Animals That Made a Difference
5 Military Dog Boarding Services Available Nationwide
When it comes to military dog boarding, you have plenty of options, but let’s face it: you’re not just going to ship off your four-legged best friend just anywhere or with anyone, and you shouldn’t have to. That’s exactly why we’ve compiled this list.Dog boarding for military deployment starts with finding a place you can trust to treat your dog like their own. There are the top five spots that are looking to board your canine, treat them right, and love them as their own:
- Rover
Rover dog boarding services are the top in the industry. You won’t find a more dedicated group of people that are not only offered in thousands of communities throughout the United States but also worldwide. Here are the features you’ll receive:
- Five-star sitters who each come with their own profile so you can get to know them before you leave them in charge of your dog’s care.
- Before you make a reservation, you can even meet the sitter to ensure its the right fit.
- There are countless features to make sure your experience is seamless. This includes reservation protection, world-class support, cashless transactions, and the Rover Guarantee to help provide you with the best boarding experience possible.
- Kennels can be confining and scary. With Rover, your dog is treated to an at-home treatment filled with love and attentiveness.
- Separation is difficult for both parties, but you’ll still be able to receive photo updates during your time apart.
Each sitter sets their own pricing and rates, so it’s difficult to say that there is a military discount for the service. However, if you look around the online Rover community, it’s clear that many are looking to help out our nation’s heroes and provide a safe haven for their dogs.
- Camp Bow Wow
With hundreds of campuses across the country, chances are, you’ve already seen a Camp Bow Wow in your area. You may have even used their services. This is because when it comes to excellence in dog boarding, you and your pooch receive only the best. Here are some of the great features available:
- Your furry best friend is going to not only receive play all day for their physical needs but also mental stimulation.
- Webcams and certified staff members can help you gain peace of mind, along with 24/7 security and fire alarm systems to keep everyone safe.
- Spacious play areas, CPR-certified staff, experts in providing medicine…the list goes on and on.
- You can also bring their favorite play toys to keep them feeling right at home when they are at camp.
- Discounts may vary from location to location, but it’s common for military personnel to receive a discount with valid ID.
- Dogtopia
Dogtopia is dog boarding for the military made easy. Prioritizing safe socialization, exercise, and education, your dog is in a great environment to keep them active, entertained, and enjoying the best things in life. The dog daycare centers offer quality care, separating dogs by size and temperament, and ensuring a supervised environment for evaluated and vaccinated pets. Live webcams allow you to watch them play all day.At Dogtopia boarding, pets enjoy full-day play in separate supervised playrooms based on size and temperament, with brain games for improved behavior. Breaks and naps are available between 12:00 pm and 2:00 pm. Dogs have their own home-style crates for rest, feeding, and medication, both during the day and overnight.With over 240 centers in the U.S. and Canada, beyond boarding, there are also daycare and spa options available when you're not having to leave for duty. Considering there are hundreds of locations, you'll want to check with yours beforehand, however, some locations do offer a dog boarding military discount with a valid military ID.
- Dogs on Deployment
Dogs on Deployment provides those serving in the American Armed Forces peace of mind by connecting them with volunteers who can board their pets during service commitments, preventing pet relinquishment at shelters. Best of all, their network is free of charge to military members.The highly touted organization also promotes responsible pet ownership through advocacy, education, financial assistance, and community partnerships. Additionally, Dogs on Deployment continues to work on providing nationwide resources for dog boarding.This means growing throughout major military installations to better serve this nation's heroes. You'll find that the support from Dogs on Deployment Is perfect for active duty warfighters of any kind, but their services are also available to Veterans, first responders, and government service employees, along with their families.
- Sittercity
If you’re looking for a free military dog boarding option, Sittercity may be for you. Although known for its babysitters, pet care is also available. Through an initiative with Military OneSource, part of the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD), you can receive a free year with a valid military ID.Suggested read:Herman the Cat Slayed Foes Aboard U.S. Coast Guard Ships
Getting Your Best Friend Ready for Life Back Home
Returning home means you’ll have a lot to take care of. Whether you’re away for training, deployment, or anything else the line of duty may call for, it’s going to take you some time to get reacclimated to your normal routine.The same is true for your furry friends. This is especially true the longer you have to board your dog and can be even more challenging if you have multiple pets.There is a lot to handle, but focusing on your pet’s routine is important for everyone in the household. Here are some great tips for anyone coming back from deployment to help their canines reacclimate in a quicker, safer manner:
- Your dog needs to reconfirm its surroundings. Give them time to go around, sniff, and take their time to realize that they are in fact home again. If you’re moving to a new location or have multiple pets, expect this process to take a bit longer.
- You’re also going to want to be sure to update any information that might have changed. Whether or not you’ve moved, contact information, updating any health concerns, etc. are all important pieces of information to update with your vet.
- Speaking of, establishing a routine visit to the vet is going to be an important part of getting your dog back home. Having a check-up or screening is a great way to ensure that there are no surprises.
- Start small and be patient through the process. Make sure your canine remembers their training. If your dog usually goes outside with you, start in the backyard rather than a large park to be sure they respond well.
- Be sure to bond with them along the way. If you have multiple dogs, establish time for them all individually but also together to ensure that everyone feels the love while also reacclimating to their normal routine.
- Feeding routines are critical. Top-rated military dog boarding facilities are going to feed your best friend well, but individual factors may vary. This can be particularly crucial to keep in mind for those with multiple pets or special diets. This is what makes using feeding services, such as Ollie, so critical to getting your dog’s routine in check.
How to Feed Your Best Friend Before Military Dog Boarding
When you aren’t gone for duty, feeding your dog can be a challenge. It’s important to have resources for dog boarding, but making sure your canine enjoys a delicious, nutritious meal is an important factor all year long. Thankfully, Ollie has the solution:
- Simply take an online quiz about your dog.
- From there, you’ll receive a starter box for half price.
- Afterward, Ollie continues to ship your dog delicious food you’ll both love right to your doorstep.
Meal plans are affordable and can be as low as $1 per meal. This isn’t some processed, run-of-the-mill dog food company either. We’re talkin’ fresh, delicious lamb, chicken, pork, beef, and turkey. There are even baked options available.Fillers like corn, soy, and wheat are out. Fresh fruits and veggies are in. You also won’t find hormones or any by-products, and there are even treats and supplements available to keep your dog eating right and feeling great no matter the occasion.Featuring 100% human-grade ingredients and with the first order available at 50% off, it’s a no-brainer. Get started with Ollie to take your dog’s food to the next level and remember the above options for the best military dog boarding options when duty calls.Read next:The Ultimate Guide to Service Dogs for VeteransThis article is the result of a paid collaboration with Ollie.