The Best Dog Boarding Kennels in Wellington

Pick the best holiday options for your beloved dog

Updated 5 September 2021 

Leaving your dog in boarding kennels while you are away can be a distressing experience. Dogs bond with the owners and become part of the family and putting them in the hands of others for even a short time is not easy.

There are many boarding kennels around Wellington, but you need to make sure that your dog will be treated correctly and it with people who have a genuine love for dogs. 

Our guide to the top 9 dog boarding kennels in and around Wellington has all the information about what to look for, how much it costs and shortlists ten operators that stand out.

Our Wellington dog boarding kennels guide covers:​​​

What Does a Wellington Dog Boarding Kennel Cost?

Cost should not be the primary concern, but you do want to know that you are getting value for money. The price will vary depending upon how long your dog needs to remain in the kennels, and by location. We found that as a rule of thumb you can expect to pay between $20 and $90 per day (nights included) for boarding your pet, and the size and type of animal may also influence the price.

What to Consider When Choosing a Dog Boarding Kennel in Wellington

The most important part of choosing a dog kennel is knowing your dog will be looked after correctly. The following is our checklist of things to do and consider before you choose:
  • Always visit the premises and check for cleanliness, available space and to get a feel for how it is run. A boarding kennel will likely be noisy, but should also be orderly
  • Ask for information on the qualifications and experience of the staff, and make sure you meet them.
  • Is the space allocated to dogs adequate? Will your dog be housed alone or with another animal? Some dogs will accept this, others will not tolerate it.
  • What is the daily routine, as in how often will the dog get to be walked and what are the feeding routines? Will the dog get one to one attention, for playing or perhaps light grooming?
  • Does the kennel have vet care on site, and if not, who is their chosen vet? 
  • Do they insist on up to date vaccinations, as they should do for the safety of all pets?
The above list offers some good starting points from which to begin your search for a suitable dog boarding kennel.
​

Reliable and Trusted Wellington Dog Boarding Kennels Where Your Dog will be Happy

​Our list below, which is no particular order, covers dog boarding kennels in Wellington. We have selected these based on their history of longstanding service within Wellington, location and data extracted from internet reviews on Google Business, Facebook, TradeMe Services and others.

​Before You Start Looking for Dog Kennels Consider the Following:
  1. Ask around your friends, family, and neighbours for recommendations about where they send their dog.
  2. Ask your vet if they have a recommendation.
  3. Stay local for the best rates and convenience (especially after coming back from holiday - a short drive is appreciated than traversing Wellington)

No dog boarding kennels have paid to appear on this list, and MoneyHub.co.nz has no relationship with anyone listed below.

Waglands Dogs' Holiday Retreat

Base: Lower Hutt, Wellington 
Hours: Mon – Fri 8:30 am–12 pm and 3:30 pm –5:30 pm
            Sat 8:30 am –12 pm 
            Sun 3:30 pm – 5:30 pm
Google Review rating: 4.9/5
Website:  Waglands Dogs' Holiday Retreat
Facebook Page: Waglands Dogs' Holiday Retreat
Email address: [email protected]
​Phone:  04 565 0691
 
Customer Feedback:
  • Consistently provides excellent service for the dogs
  • Friendly, obliging and professional staff
  • Provides top-notch service
  • Has separate grassed areas for dogs to exercise in
  • Responsive to online enquiries 
 
Pros:
  • Provides photos of pets while onboard
  • Operates seven days a week 
  • Affiliated with several organisations dedicated to the welfare of animals companions.
 
Cons:
  • None 
 
Important Must-know Facts and Services:
  • Waglands Dogs' Holiday Retreat has been in the industry since 2009, providing premier dog boarding and dog daycare in Wellington
  • It sits on the hilltop overlooking Hutt Valley that is perfect for a dog's holiday retreat
  • Offers quality service for overnight boarding, dog daycare, one-on-one playtime, de-shedding wash, flea treatment and worm treatment ​

emBARKERS Hound Lounge

Base: Miramar, Wellington
Hours: Mon to Fri 7 am – 6:30 pm 
Google Review rating: 4.7/5
Website:  emBARKERS Hound Lounge
Facebook Page: emBARKERS Hound Lounge
Email address: [email protected]
​Phone: 04 388 5439
 
Customer Feedback:
  • Genuinely caring and very accommodating staff
  • A friendly and highly professional team dedicated to dog’s well-being
  • Knowledgeable about dogs
 
Pros:
  • Regularly uploads photos of dogs’ activity
  • Keeps the owners informed about everything
  • Has a spacious indoor and outdoor area
 
Cons:
  • Only operates during weekdays 
 
Important Must-know Facts and Services:
  • emBARKERS Hound Lounge provides a well-structured and supervised play environment for dogs and puppies
  • Offers quality care for dog daycare and boarding service 

Lush Puppies

Base: Miramar, Wellington
Hours: Per appointment only
Google Review rating: 4.7/5
Website:  Lush Puppies
Facebook Page: Lush Puppies
Email address: [email protected]
​Phone:  04 388 631
 
Customer Feedback:
  • Treats dogs like their own
  • Knowledgeable and friendly staff
  • Listens to the owner’s needs and wants regarding their dog
 
Pros:
  • Provides high-quality services
 
Cons:
  • Delayed responses to email enquiries 
 
Important Must-know Facts and Services:
  • Lush Puppies has been in the industry since 2009 and is well known for its quality grooming and daycare services
  • Provides both indoor and outdoor facilities, where dogs can socialise while under the supervision of an experienced animal handler
  • Caters for last-minute appointments and long-term boarding arrangements

Dinky Dogz

Base: Belmont, Lower Hutt
Hours: Mon to Sun 8 am – 10 pm, 4 pm – 6 pm
Google Review rating: 5.0/5 
Website:  Dinky Dogz
Facebook Page: Dinky Dogz
Email address: [email protected]
​Phone:  04 565 1580
 
Customer Feedback:
  • Caring and serious about dogs’ well-being
  • Professional, helpful and reliable staff
  • Great facility with areas to play and socialise
  • Makes sure the dogs are well looked after
 
Pros:
  • Allows all-day access to the outside area so dogs can play for as much as they like
 
Cons:
  • None 
 
Important Must-know Facts and Services:
  • ​Dinky Dogz provides quality boarding and daycare services dedicated to small and toy breed dogs
  • Their facilities are boutique-style complete with winter heating, summer cooling and air purification

Makara Dog Bach Boarding Kennels

Base: Makara, Wellington
Hours: Mon to Fri 8 am – 10 am, 3 pm – 6 pm, Sat 8 am – 10 am, Sun 3 pm - 6pm
Google Review rating: 4.5/5
Website:  Makara Dog Bach Boarding Kennels
Facebook Page: Makara Dog Bach Boarding Kennels
Email address: [email protected]
​Phone:  04 476 7000
 
Customer Feedback:
  • Dogs are well looked after by caring staff
  • Helpful and friendly staff
  • Well-managed and clean facility
  • Professional and high-quality service
 
Pros:
  • Kenneling for small, medium and large size dogs
 
Cons:
  • None 
 
Important Must-know Facts and Services:
  • ​Makara Dog Bach Boarding Kennels is located along Makara Road
  • Their facility has been completely refurbished since 2015 to allow a better client experience
  • Offers individual kenneling with a heated bed area, quality meals and comfortable beds to make the dogs feel safe and comfortable while they are away from home

​Homelands Kennels & Cattery

Base: Plimmerton, Porirua
Hours: Mon to Sun 10 am - 12 pm, 4 pm – 5 pm
Google Review rating: 4.8/5
Website:  Homelands Kennels & Cattery
Facebook Page: None 
Email address: [email protected]
​Phone:  04 239 9252
 
Customer Feedback:
  • All animals are well-cared for
  • Ensures that dogs have a great stay
  • Provides a convenient and comfortable place for dogs
 
Pros:
  • Has plenty of room to let dogs socialise
  • A safe place to develop proper socialisation between dogs
 
Cons:
  • None 
 
Important Must-know Facts and Services:
  • Homelands Kennels & Cattery is a family-owned business that has been operating for more than 30 years
  • Takes pride in their excellent reputation for providing a friendly and caring service to all their clients
  • Provides dog boarding, cat boarding and dog daycare services 

Allbreeds Kennels and Cattery

Base: Upper Hutt, Wellington
Hours: Mon to Fri 8 am – 12 pm, 4 pm – 6 pm, Sat 8 am – 12 pm, Sun 4 pm – 6 pm
Google Review rating: 4.9/5
Website:  Allbreeds Kennels and Cattery
Facebook Page: Allbreeds Kennels and Cattery
Email address: [email protected]
​Phone:  04 528 9901
 
Customer Feedback:
  • Dogs come home happy and clean
  • Has a great facility, perfect for dogs to play and exercise
  • Trustworthy staff and dog handlers
  • Ensures that dogs are well looked after
 
Pros:
  • Good value for money
  • Provides veterinary certification 
 
Cons:
  • None 
 
Important Must-know Facts and Services:
  • Allbreeds Kennels and Cattery has been in the industry since 1982
  • It started as a small family business that provides an enjoyable place for pets to stay
  • Provides everything that the dog and owners require while their facility would make the dogs feel like they are on their vacation
  • Provides services for kenneling, exercise paddocks, hydrobath and cattery

Judgeford Kennels & Cattery

Base: Judgeford, Porirua
Hours: Sun to Fri 8:30 am – 1 pm, 4 pm – 6 pm, sat 8:30 am – 12 pm
Google Review rating: 4.5/5
Website:  Judgeford Kennels & Cattery
Facebook Page: None
Email address: [email protected]
​Phone:  04 235 7653
 
Customer Feedback:
  • Dogs come home happy and well-exercised
  • Takes great care of the animals
  • Friendly and accommodating staff
  • Reliable and trustworthy place
 
Pros:
  • Operates seven days a week 
  • Accepts both long-term and short-term stay
 
Cons:
  • Does not allow an owner to see their pet inside the boarding 
 
Important Must-know Facts and Services:
  • Judgeford Kennels & Cattery has several areas for dogs and cats to play, run on their own, or play with carers
  • Accepts cat boarding, dog kenneling and daycare services

Paw Palace NZ

Base: Glenside, Wellington
Hours: Mon to Fri 7:30 am – 6 pm 
Google Review rating: 4.9/5
Website:  Paw Palace NZ
Facebook Page: Paw Palace NZ
Email address: [email protected]
Phone:  04 477 0100​
 
Customer Feedback:
  • Staff are always super friendly and accommodating
  • Provides photo updates through social media 
  • Gives genuine effort to know the pets 
  • Dogs go home with a relaxed and calm attitude after boarding
 
Pros:
  • Booking systems are easy and user friendly
 
Cons:
  • None 
 
Important Must-know Facts and Services:
  • Paw Palace NZ offers one of Wellington's best dog daycare and boarding kennel facilities
  • Made up of dedicated, experienced and passionate dog care specialists and kennel assistants
  • Provides service for dog daycare and boarding 
​

Disclaimer: MoneyHub.co.nz has no relationship, financial or otherwise, with any of the dog boarding kennels listed on this page. Nightly and weekly rates will vary, and our pricing guide is for informational purposes only. 

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