How Much Do Dog Daycare Cost per Day, Week, or Month?

Okay, so I've been thinking about getting a dog for, like, forever. But I work long hours, and leaving a pup home alone all day just feels wrong, you know? So, I started looking into dog daycare. Figured I'd share my deep dive, 'cause this stuff can get confusing.

First, I googled "dog daycare near me." Man, a TON of options popped up. It was overwhelming. I picked, like, five that looked decent – good websites, not too far from my place, that kind of thing.

The Phone Call Frenzy

Next, I started calling. This is where things got real. Some places were super friendly and answered all my questions right away. Others, not so much. I jotted down notes like a madwoman. Things I specifically asked about:

• Price, obviously. This was all over the place.
• Hours. Needed to make sure they were open early enough and late enough for my commute.
• What a typical day looks like. Did the dogs just run wild, or was there some structure?
• Vaccination requirements. My future pup would need to be up-to-date, of course.
• Temperament testing. Did they just throw all the dogs together, or did they make sure they all got along? This was a big one for me.

The Pricing Puzzle

The cost was the trickiest part. Some places charged by the day, some by the half-day, and some had package deals. It was like comparing apples and oranges and, I don't know, bananas!

For example, one place was $30 for a full day. Another was $20 for a half-day (up to 5 hours).

Then there were the packages. One place offered a 10-day package for $250, which brought the daily cost down.

I found another place offered monthly package for $400.

The Visits

After the calls, I narrowed it down to three places that seemed promising. I scheduled visits to each one. This is super important, I think. You gotta see the place for yourself, meet the staff, and get a feel for the vibe.

I went to the first daycare, and it was clean, and the staff were engaging with the dogs. They had separate areas for small and large dogs, which I liked.

Another daycare, the dogs seemed a little too hyped up, and it was kind of chaotic.

The third one was okay, but it was a bit far and the packge was so expensive.

My Decision (For Now!)

Based on my calls, visits, and – let's be honest – my gut feeling, I think I'm leaning towards the first place I visited. The price is reasonable, the staff seemed great, and the dogs looked happy and well-cared for. I'm still budgeting and planning, but at least I have a better idea of what dog daycare costs and what to look for. This whole process was definitely an eye-opener!