- October 14, 2026
- Dogs, Pet Boarding & Daycare
Dog boarding near Cleveland: preparing for a first stay
A first boarding stay means a new building, new people and a new routine for your dog, all at once. Most of what makes that first stay go well happens in the two weeks before drop-off. This guide walks Parma and Cleveland-area owners through when to book, which records to send, what to pack and how to keep the goodbye easy.
Key takeaways
- Book as soon as your travel dates are set. Holiday weekends are the busiest travel times, and we ask for boarding requests at least 2 weeks in advance.
- Check vaccines before you think about packing. Many boarding facilities require proof of vaccination, so book a veterinary visit early if anything is due.
- Pack your dog’s usual food with a little extra, any medication labeled with the dose and the times it is given, and a familiar toy or blanket.
- Keep the goodbye short and calm. A long, excited farewell tells your dog that something unusual is happening.
- Name one person who can make decisions for your dog if there is a problem and nobody can reach you.
When to book dog boarding near Cleveland
Start as soon as you have dates. The American Animal Hospital Association’s tips for preparing a pet for boarding advise scheduling care as soon as you have made your vacation plans, and point out that holiday weekends are the busiest travel times. At our resort in Parma, we ask that you request all boarding stays at least 2 weeks in advance. If you need a stay sooner, call 440.845.7141 for an immediate response.
Before you commit to any kennel, see the place for yourself. AAHA suggests visiting a boarding facility in person to make sure it is clean, secure and equipped with what your pet needs, such as a spacious enclosure for a dog. The AVMA’s guide to traveling with your dog or cat lists boarding your pet at a veterinarian-recommended facility as one of the options when your dog cannot come along. Our resort tour is a good place to start, and you can call us with any question it does not answer.
We have 2 different types of room, our Luxury Suites and Deluxe Runs. When you request a stay, ask which one suits your dog.
Vaccines and records come first
AAHA recommends a veterinary visit before any boarding stay, so your veterinarian can confirm your dog is healthy and up to date on vaccinations, and it notes that many boarding facilities require proof of vaccinations. The AVMA describes canine infectious respiratory disease complex, better known as kennel cough, as a highly contagious illness, and says the dogs at particular risk are those in settings where many dogs are gathered or housed, such as kennels, shelters and daycare facilities. For dogs whose lifestyles expose them to multiple-dog settings, the AVMA recommends an annual intranasal vaccine against Bordetella, canine adenovirus type 2 and canine parainfluenza.
Leptospirosis is the other vaccine to raise with your veterinarian. AAHA’s news service reports that the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine’s 2023 consensus statement recommends that leptospirosis vaccination be required for dogs to board or enter a daycare facility. Dog flu is its own question. The AVMA notes that in areas experiencing an outbreak, dogs that are boarded are among those at particular risk, and our article on dog flu and what boarding should require covers it in detail.
Ask us which vaccines the resort requires when you book. Our guests must meet our standards of practice for both health and temperament before they stay with us at the resort. Send your dog’s records 3 days ahead, and have the boarding agreement, pet profile and house rules in, so check-in is quick. First-time guests start on the new guest page, and dogs who have stayed with us before can use the returning guest page.
What to pack for dog boarding
Packing for a boarding stay is mostly about keeping your dog’s day familiar. AAHA’s list starts with your dog’s usual food and treats, enough for the whole stay plus a little extra in case of unforeseen circumstances. After that, it recommends:
- Any medication, clearly labeled with dosage instructions and administration times.
- Favorite toys or blankets, for a sense of familiarity in the new place. The ASPCA’s travel safety tips make the same point, suggesting a favorite toy or pillow.
- Detailed written instructions on your dog’s daily routine, including feeding times, exercise preferences and any behavioral quirks.
- Current collar identification tags, and microchip registration information with at least two working phone numbers.
If your dog takes medicine or has a health condition, tell us when you book. Our resort is especially equipped to handle guests who have special medical needs or seniors, and we can provide the administration of oral or topical medications at an additional cost.
A simple timeline for the first stay
- As soon as the dates are set. Request the stay. We ask for at least 2 weeks’ notice, and holiday weekends are the busiest travel times.
- The same week. Check your dog’s vaccine dates. If anything is due, book the veterinary visit now rather than the week of the trip.
- Before the stay. Look through the resort tour, ask us your questions and decide who will be your dog’s emergency contact while you are gone.
- Three days ahead. Send your dog’s records, along with the boarding agreement, pet profile and house rules.
- The night before. Pack the food, labeled medication, a familiar toy or blanket and your written routine notes.
- Drop-off morning. Arrive calm, hand over the bag, and keep the goodbye brief.
Drop-off day: keep the goodbye short
Many owners want a long, emotional goodbye. AAHA advises against it. Its boarding tips ask owners to leave calmly and quietly, because high-pitched voices and excessive patting and hugging alert a pet to something unusual and heighten anxiety and stress. Save the extra cuddling for the night before, and keep the farewell short and sweet.
If your dog gets anxious in new places, raise it with your veterinarian before the trip. AAHA suggests using a pre-boarding visit to discuss anxiety-alleviating tactics that can help a pet adapt to a home away from home.
Watch for a cough in the days after any stay with other dogs. The AVMA notes that most dogs with kennel cough are contagious before they start showing signs, and that most cases are mild, with dogs fully recovering within 7 to 10 days. It also warns that lethargy, decreased appetite, fever, a productive cough, or rapid or labored breathing can signal pneumonia and need immediate veterinary attention. Call your veterinary clinic before you bring a coughing dog in, so the team can keep your dog away from other patients.
Who makes decisions while you are away
Choose a person who can act for you before you leave. The AVMA recommends that you select someone to act as your authorized agent if your pet has an emergency and you cannot be reached, whether your dog is staying with family, a pet sitter, a boarding facility or a veterinary clinic. Give that person every way to contact you, your regular veterinarian’s details, and any medical conditions your dog has that could lead to an emergency. The AVMA also notes that many boarding services have their own pet care emergency authorization form, and suggests adding your agent as an alternate contact in your dog’s microchip registry.
Cats and dogs who have more extensive medical needs, such as injections, dental care, wellness blood testing, vaccines or exams, can easily be accommodated at our full service facility.
Checking in while you are away
With our 24/7 webcam system, you can check in on your dog at any time. Our webcams are now viewed through the Ring app, and the webcam page has the sign-in link.
If you would like your dog to see the resort before an overnight stay, ask us about a daycare day. When Cleveland weather takes a turn for the worse, your dog can still get out and play in our indoor play area. If you are wondering whether daycare suits your dog, our article on whether doggy daycare is right for your dog explains what to look for.
How far ahead should I book dog boarding near Cleveland?
Request the stay at least 2 weeks in advance, and earlier for a holiday. AAHA points out that holiday weekends are the busiest travel times and suggests booking care as soon as your vacation plans are made. If your trip comes up with less than two weeks’ notice, call 440.845.7141 for an immediate response.
What should I pack for my dog's first boarding stay?
Bring your dog’s usual food and treats for every day of the stay plus a little extra, any medication labeled with the dose and the times it is given, a favorite toy or blanket, and written notes on your dog’s routine. Check that the collar tags are current and that the microchip registration lists at least two working phone numbers.
Can my dog board if he takes daily medication?
Tell us about every medication when you book. We can provide the administration of oral or topical medications at an additional cost, and our resort is especially equipped to handle guests who have special medical needs or seniors. Bring each medication clearly labeled with dosage instructions and administration times, as AAHA recommends, so nothing depends on memory.
What should I ask a boarding facility about illness?
The AVMA’s canine influenza guidance suggests asking what routine measures a facility takes for infection control and whether respiratory disease has been a problem there. It also suggests asking whether the facility has a plan for isolating dogs that develop signs of respiratory disease and for notifying owners whose dogs have been exposed. Those are fair questions to ask us.
Plan your dog's first stay with us
A first stay goes best when the booking, the vaccines and the packing are done early, and the goodbye is short. If you have a trip coming up, start with a room request and a look at your dog’s vaccine dates.
Our resort in Parma is open Monday to Saturday from 8:00am to 7:00pm and Sunday from 10:00am to 4:00pm. Call us at 440.845.7141 or request a room at least 2 weeks before your dates.
