Kennels in Florida

[RedSox68]

Soooo, while our extended road trip to Florida and associated cruise is a year away, we have discovered we may not have a babysitter for our dog since my daughter may also be away. He's a great traveler and we started thinking about maybe taking him with us and putting him in kennels along the way as needed (like during the cruise, etc.).

Anyone have any kennel recommendations for Florida -- especially near Miami or in Key West? Thanks.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Until somebody does, why not interview local kennels? A year is plenty of time to find one you're all happy with.

 

[RedSox68]

Until somebody does, why not interview local kennels? A year is plenty of time to find one you're all happy with.

Oh, I've already started research -- but was hoping for a shortcut recommendation

 

[kaytieeldr]

Sorry, I meant local to where you live.

 

[RedSox68]

Sorry, I meant local to where you live.

Oh, we have a wonderful kennel here that we've used for over a decade, but we don't want to (1) leave him in the kennel for 35 days nore (2) pay for a kennel for 35 days. I'd rather have him with us for most of the time, and just leave him a week here or there. Thanks.

 

[luvavacation]

Oh, we have a wonderful kennel here that we've used for over a decade, but we don't want to (1) leave him in the kennel for 35 days nore (2) pay for a kennel for 35 days. I'd rather have him with us for most of the time, and just leave him a week here or there. Thanks.

Some years ago, we did something similar with our dog. She was a great traveler, loved car rides, and we enjoyed our road trips through our dog's eyes.

When we were just staying a night somewhere, we made sure to find hotels that were dog-friendly and booked them ahead of time. Be aware though, "dog-friendly" does not mean all dogs. Some hotels have dog breed or weight restrictions. Also, extra fees if you bring your dog. I also would use Google Earth to see the area around the hotel to make sure there was a good place to walk my dog. Being cooped up in a car for hours at a time means I had a dog that needed nice long walks/jogs to burn off some energy.

In Florida, we used the Best Friends kennel at Disney and then drove to our cruise in Fort Lauderdale. When it came to picking a place in an area we were not able to visit ahead of time, I decided to go with a chain that I was familiar with, and I felt comfortable with Best Friends. This was about 8 years ago though, but I assume they still have a good reputation.

Another option, which I did not know about years ago, was to go on a place like CityData and go to the forum in the area you are considering for a kennel. You may be able to find some recommendations from locals there.

We now have two dogs that we take on trips with us, and while it may be so much easier to just hop in the car and go without our dogs, we bring them with us anyway. The love for life that dogs have, no matter where you stop with them, just makes road trips something enjoyable rather than just a way to get from A to B. Good luck, and have fun!

 

[RedSox68]

Some years ago, we did something similar with our dog. She was a great traveler, loved car rides, and we enjoyed our road trips through our dog's eyes.

When we were just staying a night somewhere, we made sure to find hotels that were dog-friendly and booked them ahead of time. Be aware though, "dog-friendly" does not mean all dogs. Some hotels have dog breed or weight restrictions. Also, extra fees if you bring your dog. I also would use Google Earth to see the area around the hotel to make sure there was a good place to walk my dog. Being cooped up in a car for hours at a time means I had a dog that needed nice long walks/jogs to burn off some energy.

In Florida, we used the Best Friends kennel at Disney and then drove to our cruise in Fort Lauderdale. When it came to picking a place in an area we were not able to visit ahead of time, I decided to go with a chain that I was familiar with, and I felt comfortable with Best Friends. This was about 8 years ago though, but I assume they still have a good reputation.

Another option, which I did not know about years ago, was to go on a place like CityData and go to the forum in the area you are considering for a kennel. You may be able to find some recommendations from locals there.

We now have two dogs that we take on trips with us, and while it may be so much easier to just hop in the car and go without our dogs, we bring them with us anyway. The love for life that dogs have, no matter where you stop with them, just makes road trips something enjoyable rather than just a way to get from A to B. Good luck, and have fun!

Wonderful post. I have traveled with dogs my whole life and they are integral to making a trip great. I've worked with more than one to help them overcome their car sickness and then they became car fanatics. We had one dog -- Nellie who was 18 when she died -- who went to 30+ states with us on car and RV trips. Thanks for the tips.

 

[arminnie]

I have used VIPet Resort in Orlando and was very, very satisfied. If boarding in Orlando is not feasible, you might call them and ask if they have any recommendations in Florida. I've found that many of the larger groups keep ties with others in the industry, and they know who does things right.

Here's their website - https://vipet.net/

 

[RedSox68]

I have used VIPet Resort in Orlando and was very, very satisfied. If boarding in Orlando is not feasible, you might call them and ask if they have any recommendations in Florida. I've found that many of the larger groups keep ties with others in the industry, and they know who does things right.

Here's their website - https://vipet.net/

Thank you!

 

[FairestOfThemAll37]

I only have recommendedations for a boarding facility in Orlando on the East side of town, which probably isn’t where you’re looking.

But for road travel almost all Starwood (now Marriott) properties allow pets. They haven’t changed their policies (as of now) since the merger. The language has changed on the app and it’s trickier to find on the website now, but except for a few resort properties Westin, Sheraton, Aloft, W, etc. all allow pets of varying sizes and will even provide a bed and food bowls. You have to sign a waiver but there’s generally no fee.

 

[RedSox68]

I only have recommendedations for a boarding facility in Orlando on the East side of town, which probably isn’t where you’re looking.

But for road travel almost all Starwood (now Marriott) properties allow pets. They haven’t changed their policies (as of now) since the merger. The language has changed on the app and it’s trickier to find on the website now, but except for a few resort properties Westin, Sheraton, Aloft, W, etc. all allow pets of varying sizes and will even provide a bed and food bowls. You have to sign a waiver but there’s generally no fee.

Wow, good to know about Marriott. I also found over the years that Best Western seems pretty good about allowing dogs.