Vacations are the best thing we look forward to. The destination, itineraries — oh, let’s not forget overweight baggage. That should be the only thing you should worry about, but then you remember, what about your pet?
Some circumstances force you not to include your pet on your vacation. Leaving them under the care of a family member or friend may be the best option, but why not also give them a vacation?
It’s fair that they should relax too while you’re having fun. Plus, they’re under the care of experts who will ease your worry while you’re away.
That’s why you don’t have to stress about your pre-vacation preparations. We list down five best pet boarding schools in London that can guarantee to give your pet a relaxing vacation too.
How much does staying in a pet boarding school in London cost?
A stay in a pet boarding school may cost about £30 per night. Prices may still vary, depending on the facility and pet sitter. They also have additional fees for specialized diets, pick-up/drop-off, and activities.
How we chose the best pet boarding school in London
- Expertise and credentials – We looked into the credentials of the staff and facilities sitters. We chose the facilities whose staff have an extensive background in handling different types of animals and breeds.
- Facilities – We also chose the facilities curated for different types of animals and breeds. Cleanliness and amenities are some of the factors we looked into. We also made sure that we picked insured facilities.
- Inclusivity for non-common pets – We also included facilities that cater to animals other than common pets like dogs and cats. Small ones like rabbits and birds should also be included.
- Customer feedback – Personal experience is a must. We also talked to previous customers and looked into their reviews to learn how the boarding schools handled the animals under their care.
1. A Furry World
Location: 124 City Rd
Phone: +442080505764
Business hours:
- Mon-Fri 9:00 am – 8:00 pm
- Sat-Sun 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
On top of our list is A Furry World, which has been a trusted pet boarding school in London since 2003.
When we looked into them, we were immediately hooked by their inclusive boarding school. They provide specialised care for small pets like rabbits and hamsters, which isn’t always easy to find.
Our favourite thing about them is they’re open 365 days a year. This means we can leave our pets under their care even during holidays.
We also talked to their caregivers, and we were reassured by their professional backgrounds in pet care. Most of them are veterinary nurses who are insured and covered, which is a plus point for us.
Of course, we couldn’t miss out on their facilities. We like that there’s an outdoor area for the pets to roam around freely.
That said, we do wish outdoor playtime was a bit longer. Plus, the fact that some pets are kept in cages makes it feel a little less like a home-style environment.
My piggies love it there!
“My Guinea pigs love it there! Since finding Charlie I would not leave my piggies anywhere else, they are extremely well looked after and always come home happy and relaxed. Charlie would send pictures and updates to let me know how the piggies were getting on which helped me relax and enjoy my time away. Highly recommend by me and piggies :)”
- Margherita Wilson, Google review
They always keep me updated
“Charlie looks after both of my bunnies when we go away, she takes excellent care of them. I actually think they don’t want to come home! Communication is great and we receive photos and videos of the bunnies whilst away which is lovely. Gives me peace of mind to leave them in safe hands.”
- Gemma Crump, Google review
2. Very Important Pets
Location: 8 Lombard Rd
Phone: +442030044580
Business hours:
- Mon-Fri – 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
- Sat-Sun – Closed
What really caught our attention when we looked into Very Important Pets was their wide range of care options. Not only do they accommodate common pets, but they also provide horse care and boarding for birds and fish.
We also really appreciate the veterinary care option they provide for pets with medication needs.
One of the things we absolutely love is their home-like environment. Unlike other boarding schools, they don’t use kennels and cages, which makes the stay more comfortable for pets.
The only downside is that an overnight stay counts as two full days, regardless of the pick-up/drop-off hours. This significantly increases costs, which might not be ideal for pet owners on a budget.
We’ve also heard complaints about occasional booking difficulties due to their high demand. If you’re on short notice, this may not be your place.
Highly-recommended since 2010
“I’ve been a happy customer of VIPs since 2010 (now Dec 2023). All of the Pet Sitters over the years have been communicative and helpful. Our current pet sitter is the best yet, she’s a professional cat expert and we feel very comfortable leaving our precious old cat who has medical needs, in her care. She sends lovely messages and photos every day, which is so reassuring and means we can enjoy our breaks away without worrying. I’d be very happy to recommend VIPs.”
- Manda Peebles, Google review
They made my pet feel at home!
“We were super happy with Lucy, who looked after our Victorian Bulldog as if she was part of her own family. Professional, friendly and full of love 🙂 we will definitely come back (actually we are already booked in for the summer!). The office too has been very helpful answering our queries promptly.
Top quality service!”
- Chiara S, Google review
3. Happy Hounds & Cooler Cats
Location: 33 Connaught Rd, London E11 4AB, United Kingdom
Phone: +442037439247
Business hours:
- Mon-Fri 8:00 am – 6:00 pm
- Sat-Sun 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
Next on our list is Happy Hounds & Cooler Cats, another home-like boarding school for pets.
Although they welcome other animals, such as hamsters, they are more experienced in dog boarding. We talked to some dog owners, and most of them recommended Happy Hounds & Cooler Cats, which brings us here.
Their carers are professionally trained for pet care and DBS-checked, which gives pet owners peace of mind. When we dropped off our goldie, we also got to meet the sitter beforehand, something we really appreciated.
We also looked into their home environment and were pleased that they have a garden for dogs to run around in and get some exercise. This is really important for us, especially since our dog is pretty energetic.
The price for a 24-hour stay is £48, which, in my opinion, feels a little on the high side. It’s only for the boarding, and owners still need to provide all their pets’ items, such as food and tags.
Handles anxious dogs with care
“I’ve been using Happy Hounds since my dog was a puppy for both group walks and daycare and I cannot recommend them enough. I have a very, very small and quite anxious dog and over the years I’ve noticed her confidence grow with dogs of all ages and sizes. They’ve also always been so flexible when they can with accommodating adding or reducing dates when I’ve needed to. I feel incredibly assured whenever she’s in their care and always get very amusing updates from them about her days when she’s with them, thanks Happy Hounds!”
- Kelly Murray, Google reviews
Adventure days with HH!
“We could not be happier with Happy Hounds, they take great care of our girl and she absolutely adores her adventure days with her pack. They are always keeping us informed of changes or updates around the area that could affect our dog, which we really appreciate. Would recommend every time, a great team who love our girl almost as much as we do.”
- Hannah Small, Google reviews
4. Elmtree Pet Hotel
Location: 8 Cook’s Hole Rd, Enfield
Phone: +442083674625
Business hours:
- Mon-Sat 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
- Sun closed
Elmtree Pet Hotel stands out as a true luxury pet hotel. We were surprised to learn that it also offers a canine club and dog and cat retreats.
Located on a four-acre plot, Elmtree Pet Hotel provides plenty of space for dogs to roam, play, and interact with other dogs. We were also impressed by their kennels because they were spacious and didn’t look like kennels at all. They were really like a suit for our dog.
Another thoughtful touch is their chauffeur services, which make travelling with your dog much easier. It’s just one more example of how Elmtree Pet Hotel lives up to its “hotel” branding while truly embracing its luxurious reputation.
That said, all this luxury does come at a price. At £60 per day, it’s definitely on the expensive side. However, considering their inclusions (such as dog spa, indoor gymnasium, veterinary services), we think the price is worth it.
Another place to call ‘home’
“The Elmtree is fabulous. Bruno and Freddie love it. It is their home from home. They are always excited to come back.”
- Samantha, Google review
My pets and I felt secured with Elmtree
“We’ve been taking our pets(cat & dog) here for the last two years and it’s been reassuring that they take just a good care of our babies all day long. We tried different things over the years like pet sitting and friends at home but we only feel 100% relax on holidays when we know they are at Elmtree.”
- Luciana Peralta, Google review
5. Paws & Pauses
Location: 5 Melon Rd, Peckham High St
Phone: +447367426170
Business hours:
- Mon-Wed 7:15 am – 6:30 pm
- Thurs-Fri 7:15 am – 11:00 pm
- Sat-Sun closed
Although Paws & Pauses caters exclusively to dogs, we decided to include them because of the quality of their service.
Their daycare package, priced at £44, is an excellent pick for us. It offers a well-balanced day for our dog, including a dedicated time for outdoor play, nap time, and indoor exercise. The inclusions really help balance our dog’s activity and energy.
One of the first things we were briefed on was the daily routine for the pet dogs, which we really appreciated. We like that most of their activities are outdoors, giving the dogs ample time to interact with each other.
We also like that their outdoor facilities have high fences since they’re in a busy area. They made us feel much more at ease knowing our dog was safe from any potential hazards.
Their indoor facilities are also spacious, and we like that they’ve separated the large breeds from the smaller ones.
One thing that we weren’t fond of, though, was their use of kennels as overnight stays for dogs.
My dog loves P&P!
“My dog loves coming to P&P – he literally drags me there every week. The staff are so friendly and does a really good job of looking after the dogs and keeping them happy. When the dog comes home he is exhausted from all the fun and games he’s had during the day – such a bonus to have a quiet evening!”
- Mike Appleton, Google review
They keep me updated!
“This place is so great. They take amazing care of our puppy (who is high energy) and really care about all the dogs. The instagram updates are great and our little girl always comes back so happy”
- Lee, Google review
