Pet care guides from a working kennel
These guides answer the questions owners ask before, during and after a boarding stay, from how much boarding costs to how to bring a tired dog home. Each one gives the answer first and then the detail, with sources where facts come from outside the kennel.
Dog guides
- How much does dog boarding cost near Sacramento?
- Dog boarding cost per night
- How to prepare your dog for boarding
- Your dog's first boarding stay
- Dog boarding checklist
- Why is my dog so tired after boarding?
- My dog won't eat the first day at boarding
- Is boarding stressful for dogs?
- Boarding a dog with separation anxiety
- Boarding an anxious or shy dog
- Questions to ask a boarding kennel
- How to choose a dog kennel
- Kennel or pet sitter? An honest comparison
- Twelve boarding tips from the kennel side of the counter
- Can you board a dog in heat?
- How old does a puppy have to be to board?
- Boarding a dog on medication
- Boarding a diabetic dog or cat
- Heat stroke in dogs
- How hot is too hot for dogs? Dixon summer numbers
- Hot pavement and paws
- Dogs in cold valley nights and tule fog
- Foxtails and dogs
- Valley fever in dogs
- Rattlesnakes and dogs in Northern California
- Bloat
- Fireworks and dogs
- Road trips with a dog
- Flying with a dog vs boarding
- Switching dog food safely
- How much to feed a dog
- Slow feeder bowls
- Why we ask you to remove metal pinch (prong) collars
- Kuranda beds
- How often should you bathe a dog?
- Deshedding double coats
- Is day care good for dogs?
- Dog day care cost
- How often should my dog go to day care?
- Puppy day care
- Enrichment ideas from our kennel
- Lick mats & frozen treats
- Boarding and kennel cough risk
- Bringing your dog home after boarding
- What to expect from a month-long stay
- Microchips & ID tags before you travel
- A pet evacuation plan for Solano & Yolo families
- Which kennel class does my dog need?
- Should two dogs share a kennel?
- Pet insurance and boarding
Cat guides
Small pet guides
Comparisons
A kennel sees the same worries again and again. The guides group them by topic so you can find the one that matches yours without reading everything.
Before a stay
Start here if you have never boarded. Guides cover how to prepare your dog, a checklist, questions to ask any kennel, and how to choose between a kennel and a pet sitter. There are also pages on cost, with the 2026 prices of $52, $59 and $72 a night for dogs and $35 for cats.
Health and weather
The Central Valley brings hot summers, cold nights and tule fog, and the guides deal with heat stroke, hot pavement, foxtails, valley fever, rattlesnakes and fireworks. Each is written for dog owners in Solano and Yolo counties.
Cats and small pets
Cat guides cover what a cattery is, how long cats can be left alone, cat stress signs, carriers and bringing a cat home after boarding. Small-pet guides cover rabbits, birds and guinea pigs while you travel.
Day care, food and enrichment
Guides on dog day care explain how often a dog should attend and what it costs. Others cover switching food, slow-feeder bowls, Kuranda beds, lick mats and frozen treats.
Sources (checked October 19, 2026)
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 ratesVisit or call
6677 Midway Road, Dixon, CA 95620
| 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
Answers
Questions people ask
Still have a question? Call 707-678-6600 (every day 7:30-11:30 AM and 2-5 PM) or see the boarding FAQ.
Are the guides medical advice?
No. They are general information; talk to your veterinarian about your own pet.
Who writes them?
They are written for Happy Paws Kennels from the kennel's own rules, rates and published sources.
Where do the facts come from?
Kennel facts come from the rate sheet and policies. Outside facts name their source on the page.
Can I ask a question that is not covered?
Call 707-678-6600.
Happy Paws Kennels
Ask about your dates
Send your dates and pets and the kennel will get back to you. Holiday stays need a 50% deposit 30 days before drop-off, so ask early.
6677 Midway RoadDixon, CA 95620707-678-6600
| 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 |
Check-out is by 11:30 AM. An afternoon pick-up is charged half of the nightly rate.