Dog and cat boarding near Sacramento

Sacramento is much bigger than any other town on our list, so a small share of its households is still a large number of pets, and for them a country kennel between the city and the Bay Area is a deliberate choice.

Quick facts

• About 35 minutes and 27 miles from the city
• Interstate 80, US 50 and Highway 113
• Airport trips: the kennel is about 40 minutes from SMF

Three highways, one drive

The estimate of 35 minutes comes from a route of 15.7 miles on Interstate 80, 5.3 on US 50 and 4.1 on Highway 113, plus a short stretch of I-80 Business. That is free-flow with no traffic, and Sacramento commuters know that the freeway can be very different at five o'clock. Plan a drop-off outside the rush, ideally by the end of the morning window at 11:30 AM or after 2:00 PM.

From the kennel to Sacramento International Airport is about 30 miles and 40 minutes, which suits owners flying out. See the SMF page for timing.

A very large pool of pet owners

Sacramento has about 528,700 residents in about 200,300 households. National AVMA ownership shares suggest roughly 91,200 dog households and 64,300 cat households. Those are estimates, not a count.

About 52 percent of households own their home, the median household income is about $87,300 and about 30 percent have children. The guide to choosing a kennel lists what to look for.

Why drive out of the city

The case for a country kennel is space: about 10 acres, a grass field, large fenced play areas and runs where each dog chooses between a heated or air-conditioned inside space and an outside area. Google reviewers often mention cleanliness and the photos they get during the stay.

Prices are the same for everyone on the 2026 rates: Economy $52, Business Class $59, First Class $72, and $65, $53 and $47 from 14 nights.

Day care, if you work this side of Sacramento

The drive is about 35 minutes each way, so day care only makes sense if your day already takes you toward Davis, Dixon or Vacaville. If it does, dog day care is $38 a day for one dog on the 2026 rates, a second dog sharing a kennel is $32, and the hourly rate is $7 up to the daily price. Drop-off runs 7:30 to 11:30 AM and pick-up 2:00 to 5:00 PM, every day. For a trip of a night or more, overnight boarding is the better fit from the city.

Cats in a dog town

Sacramento cats stay in individual four-level towers at $35 a night, each with a litter box and blanket of its own. See cat boarding near Sacramento.

Paperwork for a city dog

Dogs need rabies, distemper/parvo, Bordetella and canine influenza; the first influenza dose is accepted with the booster 3 to 4 weeks later. Cats need rabies and FVRCP. Records must be current through the final day, and pets must be 16 weeks or older.