UC Davis move-in, Picnic Day, graduation
Happy Paws Kennels is about 10.5 miles and 16 minutes from the UC Davis campus without traffic, via CA-113 and I-80. The busy campus dates are winter break (residence halls close December 12, 2026 and reopen January 2, 2027), Picnic Day in April and commencement on June 11 to 13, 2027.
UC Davis 2026-27 dates families plan around
- Residence hall move-in, fall 2026Sep 15 to 17, 2026 (Moove-In by appointment only, booked in the myHousing Portal)
- Veterans Day holidayNov 11, 2026
- Thanksgiving holiday (residence halls stay open, no meals)Nov 26 to 27, 2026
- Winter break - residence halls close at noon Dec 12, residents may not stay; reopen 8 AM Jan 2Dec 12, 2026 to Jan 2, 2027
- Winter / New Year holidaysDec 24 to 25, 2026; Dec 31, 2026 to Jan 1, 2027
- MLK Jr. holidayJan 18, 2027
- Presidents' Day holidayFeb 15, 2027
- Spring break (halls stay open, no meals)Mar 20 to 24, 2027
- Cesar Chavez holidayMar 26, 2027
Source: UC Davis Registrar and Student Housing calendars, retrieved October 19, 2026. Dates can change; check the university.
Campus weekends bring parents, grad students and faculty who need a safe place for a dog or cat while they are on campus or away. This page lines the university's calendar up with the kennel's hours. Happy Paws is an independent kennel with no university partnership.
Dates on the 2026-27 UC Davis calendar
Dates come from the registrar and Student Housing calendars and can change without notice, so verify against the university pages in the sources below.
| Date | Campus event | What it means for pets |
|---|---|---|
| Dec 7 to 11, 2026 | Fall finals | Students heading home early drop off before Dec 12. |
| Dec 12, 2026 to Jan 2, 2027 | Winter break; halls close at noon Dec 12 and reopen 8 AM Jan 2 | Part of this falls in the Christmas deposit window (stays beginning Dec 18 to Jan 8). |
| Mar 20 to 24, 2027 | Spring break | Overlaps the Easter window; see the Easter page. |
| April | Picnic Day | A crowded Saturday; the 2026 event was April 18. |
| Jun 10, 2027 | Residence halls close by 7 PM | Book early for a trip that week. |
| Jun 11 to 13, 2027 | Spring commencement | Book early for a weekend with relatives. |
Visiting for a campus weekend
A graduation or Picnic Day weekend means long hours on campus, which is hard on a dog left in a hotel room. Drop-off at the kennel is open 7:30 to 11:30 AM and 2:00 to 5:00 PM every day, so a morning drop-off on the way into town works. At about 16 minutes from campus, you can be back at the ceremony quickly.
Faculty, staff and grad students over winter break
Winter break runs three weeks. A one-dog stay of 21 nights in a Business Class kennel at the long-term rate is 21 x $53, or $1,113 on the 2026 rates. A cat is $35 a night, or $735 for 21. Remember the kennel is closed all day on Christmas Day and New Year's Day and closes at 3:00 PM on Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve.
Move-in and move-out
Residence halls ran move-in September 15 to 17 in 2026. If you are moving a student in or out with a dog along, the car is the wrong place for them all day. A day of kennel care is $38 for dog day care on the 2026 rates, or $7 an hour up to the daily rate.
Before your first stay
- Vaccination records current through pick-up day
- A signed boarding agreement
- Pets 16 weeks or older
- Bring nothing but your pet
Visit 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
Plan your stay
Price your stay
Your estimate
Pick your dates to see an estimate from the 2026 rate sheet.
Request these datesBook a stayCall
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.
Google reviews
What pet owners say
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...
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...
More occasions
Boarding for other reasons you travel
- Heading to Tahoe? Board in Dixon on I-80
- Wine-country weekends in Napa & Sonoma
- Dixon May Fair weekend
- House guests with allergies or a new pet in the home
- UC Davis winter break boarding for faculty, staff and grad students
- Martin Luther King Jr. Day weekend boarding
- Presidents' Day weekend boarding
- Veterans Day boarding
- Occasions
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.
Do you work with UC Davis?
No. Happy Paws is an independent country kennel near Dixon. This page only uses the public university calendar.
How far is the kennel from campus?
About 10.5 miles and 16 minutes without traffic.
Does the kennel take students' pets?
Dogs and cats of all breeds, neutered or intact, 16 weeks and older with the required vaccines, are welcome.
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.