Fear Free Certified Boarding

At Companion Animal Center, your dog’s wellness comes first. As the premier facility in Oakdale, Minnesota we go beyond the basics to create a boarding experience that’s grounded in science, compassion, and our Fear Free Certification.

From meaningful enrichment to physical activity, rest, and loving human interaction, we make sure your dog’s time away from home is not just stress-free—but also full of the care they truly need. We believe dog boarding should be more than just a place to drop off your dog—it should be a structured experience that genuinely supports their well-being. So, while some facilities market “luxury” by installing flat-screen TVs in suites or using glass doors on kennels—we focus on what actually matters to dogs.

Your dog doesn’t care about a crystal light fixture—they care about soft, natural and LED lighting proven to reduce stress. They don’t need television entertainment—they benefit from calming classical music, soothing aromatherapy, and a quiet ventilation system that keeps them comfortable and relaxed.

Take a tour of our boarding suites

Accommodations & Pricing

Companion Club (Enrichment Daycare) dogs: Dogs enrolled in our Companion Club Enrichment Daycare will receive a full day of Enrichment Daycare during their boarding stay (a $45 value included), spending their days playing, socializing, and participating in structured enrichment, then relaxing in their suite at night.

Non-daycare dogs: Dogs not enrolled in Enrichment Daycare receive a minimum of three to four Potty & Play sessions each day in our private turf play yards. For stays longer than two nights, we strongly recommend adding an enrichment package to support your dog’s wellbeing and happiness; enrichment add-ons can be selected during reservation, and all three boarding accommodations can be customized for your dog’s comfort.

A small dachshund dog sitting in a cozy beige pet bed inside a stainless steel enclosure, resting on a soft gray blanket, looking directly at the camera with curious eyes.

Cozy Cabin

All-inclusive Pricing: $65 Per Day

Your pup will enjoy a safe and cozy stay in our traditional boarding suite, thoughtfully tailored for small dogs. Each suite features premium Shoreline enclosures with an open-grid front for airflow and solid side panels to promote privacy, reduce stress, and support restful sleep. Includes a cozy bed or plush blanket.

Ideal for a Single Dog Under 25 lbs

Smiling yellow Labrador Retriever sitting on a bed inside an animal shelter kennel with metal dividers and food bowls.

Deluxe Suite

All-inclusive Pricing: $75 Per Day

Designed for comfort and privacy, each 3’x6’ suite features 6-foot-high panel walls with an open air top and a 2-foot solid lower front door to create a quiet, low-stimulation environment. Includes an elevated orthopedic Kuranda bed for joint support.

Ideal for a single dog up to 90 lbs or two dogs from the same household with a combined weight under 120 lbs.

A happy dog lying on a raised bed with a dark blanket inside a dog kennel, with water bowls and a grass area visible through an outside door.

Luxury Suite & Turf Terrace

All-inclusive Pricing: $85 Per Day

Our most spacious suite at 4’x6’ features solid 6-foot-high panel walls with an open air top and a 2-foot solid lower front door to ensure maximum privacy and comfort. Includes an elevated orthopedic Kuranda bed for joint support. The luxury suite also includes direct access to a 4x12' private outdoor fully covered turf terrace, allowing dogs to enjoy fresh air and sun throughout the day.

Ideal for a single dog up to 140 lbs or multiple dogs from the same household with a combined weight under 140 lbs.

  • Outline of a paw print and a heart-shaped paw pad inside a circle in light pink

    Extra Enrichment

    You’ve never seen an enrichment program like ours—playgrounds, pools, a lure course, ball pit, puzzles…the list of fun goes on!

  • Silhouette of a sitting dog with a long tail, drawn in a minimalist pinkish-peach color on a white background.

    Senior Care

    For seniors guests who might struggle with a raised bed, an orthopedic bed and a custom sized mat on floor of their suite for extra paw stability.

  • Illustration of a folded towel with a paw print design.

    Bedtime Wellness

    We’ll help your dog to unwind from a day full of enrichment, with a warm towel wipe down nose to tail and a yummy bedtime frozen treat!


  • Illustration of prescription medicine bottles, one with 'Rx' and another with a medical cross symbol.

    Medical Care

    Your dog’s health is essential to their wellness, we can administer daily medications so you can rest knowing your dog is well cared for!

  • Outline drawing of a pet bath with soap bubbles and a paw print on the side.

    Spa Treatment

    Your dog deserves the best, so choose the express, premium or ultimate spa package to help your dog relax & rejuvenate…and smell fresh!

Boarding Safety Requirements

The health and safety of all dogs in our care and the safety of our staff are our top priorities. To ensure a safe and healthy environment, the following requirements must be met to allow your dog to visit our facility:

  • Current Vaccinations:
    All dogs must be up to date on vaccinations. Required documentation must be provided prior to daycare or boarding stay. Based on guidance from our veterinary consultant, we do not require a 14-day waiting period for vaccinations; vaccines may be administered up to the day before your dog’s visit.

  • Required Vaccinations:

    • DHPP (Distemper, Hepatitis, Parainfluenza, Parvovirus)

    • Rabies

    • Bordetella (Canine Cough)

  • Flea and Tick Prevention:
    By an honor system, we ask that all clients maintain a monthly flea and tick preventative during April-November

  • Puppies Over 12 Weeks:
    Puppies have a critical socialization window when less than 6 months old. We strongly believe—and veterinarians we’ve consulted with, concur—the benefits of early socialization outweigh the risks of incomplete vaccinations. So we accept puppies with proof of their first Distemper & Parvo shot and a clean fecal test.

  • Spay/Neuter Policy:
    We accept intact male dogs into Daycare, however they are held to the same behavioral standards as neutered males and if their intact status becomes an issue we may ask that they be neutered before returning to daycare. We do not accept intact female dogs in boarding or daycare.

  • General Health:
    Owners must disclose any pre-existing medical conditions or behavioral issues upon registration. We can only provide services to dogs in good health and free from contagious illnesses.

  • Senior Dogs:
    Dogs age seven (7) and older may be at increased risk for age-related medical issues during daycare or boarding. As part of our standard client agreement, owners acknowledge these risks and agree to notify Companion Animal Center of any veterinary-diagnosed medical conditions. For boarding services, to help senior dogs remain comfortable during their stay, we recommend adding a Senior Care Package, which includes a soft bed and a rubber mat to provide extra support and improved traction.

You’ve got questions…we’ve got answers!

  • Monday–Friday 6:30 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.

    Saturday & Sunday 7:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.

    Dogs remaining in boarding after 5:00 p.m. will incur an additional overnight boarding charge at the same cost of the existing reservation suite price. During major holidays, staff visit the facility to provide care, however we are closed for drop off and pick up on all major holidays.

  • Pick-ups after 9:00 a.m. will incur a $25 late pick-up fee. Dogs remaining in boarding after 5:00 p.m. will incur an additional overnight boarding charge at the same cost of the existing reservation suite price.

  • This is an important decision that only you can make, to offer guidance we recommend reading our Fear Free Care page.

  • Absolutely. Many of our guests are first-time boarders, and our goal is to make every dog feel safe, loved, and at ease.

    Our highly trained staff are compassionate professionals who treat each dog like their own. We work hard to create a positive, enriching experience that feels more like a vacation than a kennel stay—filled with friends, play, and plenty of personalized care.

    If you're planning a longer trip, we recommend (and may require) a trial daycare or overnight stay to help your dog acclimate to our environment and routine before a longer visit.

  • Yes, if your dog is already enrolled in our Companion Club then during their stay they’ll attend daycare Monday-Friday during their boarding stay. If their boarding stay includes a Saturday or Sunday, your dog will have four potty breaks during the day.

    If your dog’s boarding stay is longer than two days, we highly recommend you add on an enrichment package to ensure your dog’s happiness while in our care.

  • Yes, dogs from the same household can board together as long as they meet the combined weight limit for the suite selected at booking and are safe to share meals and space.

    If at any point we feel that a larger suite or separate accommodations would better support your dogs’ health, safety, or comfort, we reserve the right to adjust their stay accordingly. Please note that we cannot be held responsible for any conflicts that may arise between dogs sharing a suite.

    If you're unsure how your dogs will do together overnight, we recommend booking separate suites. They can still enjoy time together during outdoor breaks or daycare while having a quiet, individual space to rest and recharge.

  • Absolutely! As long as your dog people friendly, we are happy to accommodate dogs who do not enjoy the company of other dogs.

  • Our cancellation and early departure policies are structured similarly to hotel reservations, as boarding suites are held exclusively for your dog and removed from availability once booked. We do our best to accommodate reasonable schedule changes whenever possible; however, all reservation changes are subject to availability.

    • Cancellations must be made at least three (3) days prior to the scheduled check-in date.

    • Reservations canceled or changed within three (3) days of the scheduled arrival, as well as no-shows, will be invoiced in full and charged to the payment method on file.

    • A prepaid deposit of (50%) is required to secure boarding reservations. All deposits are nonrefundable in the event of cancellation.

    • A three-day minimum stay may apply to the 3 week span before and after major holidays.

    • Peak or seasonal rates may apply during high-demand periods. Early pick-ups do not reduce the cost of a reservation, so if your trip ends early and your dog is picked up before the reservation date ends— boarding reservations are billed for the full length of stay as originally booked, as suites are reserved in advance and unavailable to other clients during that time.

  • To maintain a safe and sanitary environment, we do not beds or toys from outside our facility. Our suites Deluxe and Luxury suites include a Kuranda raised cot style bed while Cozy Cabins include a donut or hideaway style bed. For senior dogs, we offer the Senior Dog Package to provide extra comfort.

  • Bringing your dog’s own food is encouraged and helps maintain consistency in their routine.

    We ask that each meal be pre-portioned in individual Ziploc bags, clearly labeled with your dog’s name (a black Sharpie works great). Please do not bring large containers or open bags of food. If meals are not pre-packed, we’re happy to portion them for you at a rate of $2 per bag.

    No need to bring bowls—we use our own specialized enrichment bowls to make mealtime both fun and beneficial.


  • Yes, we can administer most medication with the addition of a “Medical Package” during your dog’s stay with us.

  • In all medical or illness cases, we will always attempt to contact you and your emergency contact in a timely manner. The health and safety of the dogs are our priority so we will act according to your instructions notated within the medical policy signed when you become a member.

    In the case of an emergency, your dog will be brought to either TLC Veterinary Hospital which is right next door to our facility (we share a parking lot entry with them) OR to the Animal Emergency & Referral Center of Minnesota which is located one block to our south. When becoming a member, you will be able to review our full medical policy regarding care and decision making.

    For more common issues, such as an upset tummy, we will advise you of the situation, monitor and provide recommended products from our lobby retail area.

  • We do not require male dogs to be neutered for boarding, however we do not accept intact female dogs.

  • For the safety of our staff and clients, we do not offer live webcams—but we’ll keep you well-connected throughout your dog’s stay.

    You’ll receive a daily report card and our system tracks key updates like eating, potty habits, and enrichment activities. We also love sharing fun moments on our social media page, so be sure to follow along for extra photos and videos during your dog’s visit!