The two services sit under one roof at Happy Paws Kennels in Dixon, and they share the same vaccine rules and the same drop-off windows. The real question is how many hours you need covered and whether the night is part of them.
The short comparison
Use this table to see where the two differ. All prices are from the 2026 rates.
| Boarding | Day care | |
|---|---|---|
| Covers | One or more nights | A day or part of a day |
| Price, one dog | $52 Economy, $59 Business Class, $72 First Class, per night | $38 per day, or $7 per hour up to $38 |
| Check-out | By 11:30 AM; later pick-up is charged half of the nightly fee | Same pick-up windows, the last one ending at 5:00 PM |
| Best for | Trips, work travel, holidays | Long workdays, errands, a trial run |
When boarding is the right choice
Boarding fits any time you will be gone overnight. Charges are by the night, like a hotel, and every dog gets its own indoor/outdoor run. Walks are included, and house food and medications carry no extra charge. A stay that runs 14 nights or longer drops to the long-term rate, such as $59 down to $53 in Business Class.
The half-day rule helps when your return lands in the afternoon. Check-out is by 11:30 AM. A pick-up in the 2:00 to 5:00 PM window is charged half of the nightly fee instead of a full night, so ask about it when you book. The afternoon pick-up page explains it.
When day care is the right choice
Day care fits a long workday, a morning appointment or a day when visitors are in the house. The hourly rate of $7 means five hours is $35, and six hours reaches the $38 daily rate, so anything beyond that costs the same. The buy-10-get-12 package is $380 for one dog and works out to 12 days for the price of 10.
Day care is also a gentle way to introduce a dog to the kennel before a long trip. See using day care as a trial run.
What is the same either way
The American Veterinary Medical Association notes that reputable boarding and day care services require vaccinations, and recommends Bordetella and canine influenza vaccines for dogs that visit places where other dogs gather. At Happy Paws both services need rabies, distemper/parvo, Bordetella and canine influenza, with records good through the last day. The flu vaccine is accepted after the first dose, with the booster due 3 to 4 weeks later.
Hours are the same for both: drop-off and pick-up 7:30 to 11:30 AM and 2:00 to 5:00 PM, closed between 11:30 and 2:00. Book a stay or a day through the booking page; the kennel confirms every request.