--- title: Boarding Around a New Baby's Arrival | Happy Paws, Dixon url: https://happypawskennels.com/occasions/new-baby/ 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/) - [Occasions](https://happypawskennels.com/occasions/) - Boarding around a new baby's arrival # Boarding around a new baby's arrival Boarding a dog or cat for the days around a birth keeps them safe while the household settles, and the pet comes home once things are calm. Happy Paws Kennels charges by the night, so you can start with a few nights and extend by phone when the baby comes early or late. [Book a stay](https://happypawskennels.propetware.com/customerLogin)[Call 707-678-6600](tel:+17076786600) A due date is an estimate, which makes this one of the hardest trips to book. Flexible nights matter more than the exact date. ## Choosing the nights Some families board from the labor starting through the first two or three days home. Others board only the hospital days and bring the pet back before the baby is home. A short first stay is worth considering for a dog who has not boarded before. The [first boarding stay guide](https://happypawskennels.com/guides/first-time-boarding/) explains what to expect. Drop-off runs from 7:30 to 11:30 AM and 2:00 to 5:00 PM every day. If labor starts overnight, a family member can bring your pet in the next window. ## Plan the paperwork before the due date The boarding agreement is signed once. Do it now so a family member can complete a drop-off alone. Upload vaccine records to your account or email them, and confirm dates: records must be current through the whole stay, and the canine influenza vaccine (recommended, not required) needs a booster three to four weeks after the first dose. Name a person who can pick up your pet if you cannot. ## What it costs A four-night stay for one dog in a Business Class kennel is 4 x $59, or $236 on the 2026 rates. Seven nights is $413. A cat is $35 a night. If your dog turns out to need 14 or more nights, the long-term rate applies. The [stay estimator](https://happypawskennels.com/tools/stay-cost-estimator/) prices several lengths so you can pick a budget. Because baby plans move, you can book the nights you are sure of and call to add more. The kennel confirms each change, so ask about space for the extra nights as early as you can. ## Settling back in Dogs often come home tired from a stay, so expect a nap. Introduce the new baby's smells first: a blanket or a worn hat from the hospital brought home before your pet meets the baby lets your dog or cat explore the scent calmly. Keep early meetings short and supervised. ### 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 hours page](https://happypawskennels.com/hours/) - [Happy Paws Kennels vaccination requirements](https://happypawskennels.com/vaccination-requirements/) ### Before your first stay - [Vaccination records](https://happypawskennels.com/vaccination-requirements/) current through pick-up day - A signed [boarding agreement](https://happypawskennels.com/boarding-contract/) - Pets 16 weeks or older - [Bring nothing but your pet](https://happypawskennels.com/what-to-bring/) ### 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 - [Your dog's first boarding stay](https://happypawskennels.com/guides/first-time-boarding/) - [Dog boarding checklist](https://happypawskennels.com/guides/dog-boarding-checklist/) - [Stay cost estimator](https://happypawskennels.com/tools/stay-cost-estimator/) - [Reservations and booking](https://happypawskennels.com/faq/reservations/) - [Dog boarding](https://happypawskennels.com/dog-boarding/) ## Price your stay Drop-off Pick-up Pick-up time By 11:30 AM Afternoon Dogs Cats Kennel class for your dogs Options My dogs share one kennel My cats share one condo Active military family Your estimate Pick your dates to see an estimate from the 2026 rate sheet. [Request these dates](#book-form)[Book a stay](https://happypawskennels.propetware.com/customerLogin)[Call](tel:+17076786600) Estimate from our 2026 rates (effective for reservations made on or after Jan 1, 2026). Your final total is confirmed at check-in. Military and 14+ night rates are the same reduced 1-dog rate; the estimator uses one, never both. [See the full rate sheet](https://happypawskennels.com/rates/). ## What pet owners say 4.9 from 133 Google reviews [Read them on Google](https://maps.google.com/maps?cid=12930655858419906774) I love this place and so do the dogs. They offers tours, have A/C and/or heat. They always look and smell super clean. They even filter the indoor air. They email pics of them playing. I have 2 large breeds that share a 1st class kennel. They even offer treats and baths. So nice to have a place I trust. Everyone is... Deanna M., Google review, July 2026 This place is fantastic! I have one super easy going dog and one that is very much the opposite, she takes a long time to be comfortable with strangers and can be aggressive. I chose Happy Paws originally because the dogs can go in and out without having to be put on a leash. I am so happy I made that decision. Now my... Kaylin B., Google review, May 2026 ## Boarding for other reasons you travel - [Family emergency or funeral travel](https://happypawskennels.com/occasions/family-emergency/) - [Regular business travel](https://happypawskennels.com/occasions/business-travel/) - [Two-to-four-week trips abroad](https://happypawskennels.com/occasions/cruise-or-overseas-trip/) - [UC Davis move-in, Picnic Day, graduation](https://happypawskennels.com/occasions/uc-davis-families/) - [Heading to Tahoe? Board in Dixon on I-80](https://happypawskennels.com/occasions/lake-tahoe-trips/) - [Wine-country weekends in Napa & Sonoma](https://happypawskennels.com/occasions/napa-wine-weekend/) - [Dixon May Fair weekend](https://happypawskennels.com/occasions/dixon-may-fair/) - [House guests with allergies or a new pet in the home](https://happypawskennels.com/occasions/house-guests/) - [Occasions](https://happypawskennels.com/occasions/) 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/). ### What if the baby arrives before my reservation? Call 707-678-6600 and the kennel can adjust the dates. Rates are per night, and the kennel confirms each change. ### Do I need to keep the same kennel class if I extend? Call to check what is available for the extra nights. ### Can my cat stay while my dog goes home? Yes. Dogs and cats are booked separately, each by the night. ### Should I board my dog before the due date? That depends on your plan. Some families wait until labor starts, because a due date is only an estimate. ### Do my dog's vaccines matter near the due date? Yes. Records must be current through the last day of the stay, and the canine influenza vaccine (recommended, not required) needs its booster three to four weeks after the first dose.