--- title: Day Care | Happy Paws Kennels Glossary url: https://happypawskennels.com/glossary/day-care/ business: Happy Paws Kennels address: 6677 Midway Road, Dixon, CA 95620 phone: 707-678-6600 hours: drop-off and pick-up every day 7:30-11:30 AM and 2:00-5:00 PM type: Dog and cat boarding kennel on about 10 country acres; caring for pets in Dixon since 1971 rates: 2026 rates, effective for reservations made on or after Jan 1, 2026 (dogs from $52 a night, cats $35 a night) --- - [Home](https://happypawskennels.com/) - [Glossary](https://happypawskennels.com/glossary/) - Day care # Day care Day care is daytime care for a pet that goes home the same day instead of staying overnight. At Happy Paws Kennels it is $38 a day for one dog on the 2026 rates, with an hourly rate of $7 up to $38. [Book a stay](https://happypawskennels.propetware.com/customerLogin)[Call 707-678-6600](tel:+17076786600) It suits a long workday or an errand-filled day. It is separate from boarding, which is charged by the night. ## How it is priced Dog day care is $38 per day for one dog, and each additional dog sharing a kennel is $32. Hourly care is $7 an hour up to the $38 daily cap. Cat day care is $25 a day for one cat and $21 for each additional cat sharing a tower. These are the 2026 rates, effective for reservations made on or after January 1, 2026. ## The package The buy-10-get-12 package gives twelve days for the price of ten: $380 for one dog and $700 for two dogs sharing a kennel. It works for regular schedules, such as one day a week for a season. See [what is the buy-10-get-12 package](https://happypawskennels.com/questions/what-is-the-buy-10-get-12-package/) and the [day care packages page](https://happypawskennels.com/dog-day-care/packages/). ## Day care and the pick-up rule Boarding is billed by the night with a check-out at 11:30 AM. A pet that arrives and leaves the same day is a day care visit, not an overnight. The hourly option avoids paying for a whole day on a short errand. Drop-off and pick-up windows are 7:30 to 11:30 AM and 2:00 to 5:00 PM; call 707-678-6600 for same-day plans. ## What to bring The vaccine rules are the same as for boarding. Dogs need rabies, distemper/parvo, Bordetella and canine influenza, and cats need rabies and FVRCP. The boarding agreement must be on file. For the service pages, read [dog day care](https://happypawskennels.com/dog-day-care/) and [hourly day care](https://happypawskennels.com/dog-day-care/hourly/). ## Who it helps Day care suits owners who work long shifts, dogs that are lonely alone, and families moving or having work done at home. It also helps puppies and young dogs get used to the kennel before their first overnight, since a day visit lets a dog see the place and go home to sleep in his own bed. After a few visits the drop-off feels familiar, and a later boarding stay is easier. For puppies, remember the minimum age: pets must be 16 weeks old before the first day. Read [is day care good for dogs](https://happypawskennels.com/guides/is-dog-day-care-good-for-dogs/) and [how often should my dog go to day care](https://happypawskennels.com/guides/how-often-should-my-dog-go-to-day-care/). ### Sources (checked October 19, 2026) - [Happy Paws Kennels 2026 rate sheet (PDF)](https://happypawskennels.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/2026-Rates-EFFECTIVE-1-1-26.pdf) - [Happy Paws Kennels vaccination requirements](https://happypawskennels.com/vaccination-requirements/) ### 2026 nightly rates - First Class kennel $72 - Business Class kennel $59 - Economy Class kennel $52 - Cat condo $35 All-inclusive: food, medications and walks. 2026 rates, effective for reservations made on or after Jan 1, 2026. [All 2026 rates](https://happypawskennels.com/rates/) ### Visit or call 6677 Midway Road, Dixon, CA 95620 [707-678-6600](tel:+17076786600) | Drop-off and pick-up, every day | 7:30 to 11:30 AM and 2:00 to 5:00 PM | | --- | --- | | Tours, every day (no appointment) | 9:00 to 11:00 AM and 2:00 to 4:00 PM | [Book a stay](https://happypawskennels.propetware.com/customerLogin) ### Related - [Dog day care](https://happypawskennels.com/dog-day-care/) - [Hourly day care](https://happypawskennels.com/dog-day-care/hourly/) - [Day care packages](https://happypawskennels.com/dog-day-care/packages/) - [Cat day care](https://happypawskennels.com/cat-boarding/cat-day-care/) - [Do you offer day care by the hour?](https://happypawskennels.com/questions/do-you-offer-day-care-by-the-hour/) ## Read next - [Boarding agreement](https://happypawskennels.com/glossary/boarding-agreement/) - [Medical release](https://happypawskennels.com/glossary/medical-release/) - [Emergency contact](https://happypawskennels.com/glossary/emergency-contact/) - [Photo release](https://happypawskennels.com/glossary/photo-release/) - [Check-out time](https://happypawskennels.com/glossary/check-out-time/) - [Half-day charge](https://happypawskennels.com/glossary/half-day-charge/) - [Holiday deposit](https://happypawskennels.com/glossary/holiday-deposit/) - [Long-term rate](https://happypawskennels.com/glossary/long-term-rate/) Answers ## Questions people ask Still have a question? Call [707-678-6600](tel:+17076786600) (every day 7:30-11:30 AM and 2-5 PM) or see the [boarding FAQ](https://happypawskennels.com/faq/). ### Is day care the same as boarding? No. Day care ends the same day, while boarding is by the night. ### Can I buy an hour at a time? Yes, hourly care is $7 an hour up to $38. ### Does day care need vaccines? Yes, the same vaccines as boarding. ### Can a cat go to day care? Yes, cat day care is $25 a day for one cat and $21 for each additional cat sharing a tower.