Everything you need to confidently care for your dog or cat, from choosing the right kennel to asking the right questions at the vet, brought to you by 4 Paws Country Kennels.
Pet boarding means leaving your dog or cat in the care of a professional facility while you travel, work, or need a safe and stimulating environment for your animal. At its best, a boarding stay isn’t just a holding pen; it’s an enriching experience where your pet gets exercise, socialization, and attentive care from people who genuinely love animals.
Boarding is a great fit if you’re traveling out of town, dealing with a home renovation, or welcoming a new baby and need temporary help. It’s also ideal for dogs who need more stimulation and activity than a pet sitter at home can provide. Unlike leaving a pet with a neighbor or relying on a dog-walker, a quality kennel provides supervised play, consistent feeding schedules, medication administration, and a structured environment; all on a dedicated, purpose-built property.
Our one-acre facility in Security-Widefield, just minutes from Colorado Springs Airport, features three separate outdoor play areas, a doggy splash zone, cozy indoor rest spaces, and zero breed restrictions. We’re veteran and family-owned, and your pet is treated like family.
This is one of the most common questions pet parents ask. The main distinction comes down to overnight stays vs. daytime-only visits.
| Feature | Boarding | Doggy Daycare |
|---|---|---|
| Duration | Overnight (1+ nights) | Daytime only: drop off & pick up same day |
| Best for | Vacations, travel, business trips | Work days, appointments, errands |
| Pricing | $50/day per dog $40/day per cat |
$35/day per dog |
| Includes | Full outdoor play, splash zone, rest breaks, overnight supervision | Supervised group play, outdoor time, enrichment activities |
| Hours | Scheduled drop-off & pick-up | Mon–Fri 6:30AM–6PM; Sat 8AM–3PM |
If your dog has never boarded before, start with a few daycare visits first. It helps them get comfortable with the environment, the staff, and the other dogs, making their first overnight stay much smoother for everyone.
Not all kennels are created equal. With several options in the Pikes Peak region, it pays to know what to look for, and what red flags to avoid.
Packing for your pet doesn’t have to be complicated. Keeping it simple actually helps your dog or cat adjust faster to their new environment. Here’s exactly what we recommend.
Expensive toys, designer bedding, or sentimental items. Pets in active play environments can chew, drag, or lose belongings. Keep anything irreplaceable safe at home.
Vaccine requirements at boarding facilities aren’t bureaucratic red tape; they protect your pet and every other animal sharing the space. At 4 Paws Country Kennels, we enforce vaccine requirements to keep our entire community healthy and safe.
If your pet is new to boarding and not fully vaccinated, talk to your vet well in advance of your travel dates. Some vaccine series require multiple doses given weeks apart.
Jefferson County Public Health confirmed Colorado's first rabid animal of 2026, a skunk in Arvada, in February. With warmer winters increasing wildlife encounters, keeping your pet's rabies vaccine current is more important than ever. See our full wildlife safety section below.
It’s completely normal to feel anxious the first time you drop your pet off at a kennel. Here’s how to make the transition easier for both of you.
Many boarding facilities turn away reactive dogs, unneutered males, or dogs with behavioral quirks. At 4 Paws Country Kennels, we take a different approach. We believe every dog, regardless of breed, size, or history, deserves quality care.
A reactive dog is one that overreacts to certain triggers – other dogs, unfamiliar people, loud noises, or fast movement. Reactivity is not aggression. Many reactive dogs do beautifully in a well-managed, spacious environment where they have room to decompress and aren’t forced into tight, overstimulating spaces.
4 Paws welcomes all breeds, including pit bulls, Rottweilers, Dobermans, and other dogs that are unfairly excluded from many Colorado Springs kennels. We evaluate dogs as individuals, never by appearance alone.
Cats are independent by nature, but they still need proper care when you’re away. A quality cat boarding environment prioritizes one thing above all else: low stress. Unlike dogs, cats don’t benefit from group social play; what they need is a quiet, clean, predictable space with individual attention, familiar food, and a caring person checking on them throughout the day.
At 4 Paws Country Kennels, cat boarding is $40/day per cat. Our quiet, cozy feline-dedicated environment keeps cats separated from dog areas while giving them personalized attention every day of their stay.
Boarding care and veterinary care go hand-in-hand. As a pet parent, the more informed you are about your pet’s health, the better prepared you’ll be for boarding, daycare, or any unexpected situation. Here are the questions your vet wishes you would ask, because they lead to better outcomes for your animal.
Boarding care and veterinary care go hand-in-hand. As a pet parent, the more informed you are about your pet’s health, the better prepared you’ll be for boarding, daycare, or any unexpected situation. Here are the questions your vet wishes you would ask, because they lead to better outcomes for your animal.
This matters both for your pet’s safety and for the effectiveness of the treatment. Stopping antibiotics early, for example, can allow bacteria to become resistant. Always follow the full course, and ask this question so you understand exactly why it matters.
During a comprehensive exam, your vet checks skin and coat, eyes and ears, mouth and nose, heart and lungs, the abdomen, muscles and joints, and performs a urogenital review. Understanding what’s being screened helps you recognize at home if something looks or feels off between appointments.
This is especially important if your pet is scheduled for anesthesia, surgery, or a dental cleaning. Always call the clinic ahead of the appointment for any last-minute fasting or prep instructions.
If your pet has an ongoing condition, recent illness, or has just had surgery, your vet will walk you through what warning signs to watch for at home. This is also why consistent preventive care matters; you and your vet build a baseline picture of your pet’s health over time, making it easier to spot when something is off.
A weird lump, random vomiting, unusual lethargy, no question is too small. Your vet has seen it all, and they would far rather you ask about something minor than have you ignore something that turns out to be significant. Speak up at every visit.
Veterinary care is comparable to human healthcare in its standards, equipment, and training requirements. Quality animal care means skilled professionals, regulated medications, and modern diagnostic technology. If a bill is confusing or stressful, ask your vet directly. Many clinics offer financing options or payment plans, but you have to ask.
After any appointment, confirm the next steps: how to administer medications, what side effects to watch for, and when to schedule a follow-up. Don’t leave the clinic with unanswered questions; your vet team wants to make sure you feel confident going home.
Your veterinary clinic’s front desk or nursing staff can answer many questions during regular business hours without requiring a full appointment. Don’t hesitate to call for quick clarifications; it’s what they’re there for.
All veterinarians at a clinic can access your pet’s medical records, so continuity of care is maintained even if you see different doctors. That said, if you have a strong preference for a particular vet, just call ahead and ask to be scheduled on a day when that person is in; the front desk will do their best to accommodate you.
In February 2026, Jefferson County Public Health confirmed Colorado’s first rabid animal of the year, a skunk found in the Oak Crest neighborhood in Arvada. Environmental health officials noted that warmer, drier winter weather is pushing wildlife like skunks and bats into residential neighborhoods more frequently, increasing the chances of contact with pets and people.
“When the weather is warmer than usual, wildlife like skunks and bats can wander into neighborhoods more often, which can increase encounters between animals and people,” said Rachel Reichardt, Environmental Health Specialist and Zoonosis Lead at Jefferson County Public Health. “Keeping your pets vaccinated and staying away from wild animals are the best ways to stay safe year-round.”
This isn’t just a concern in Denver’s suburbs; the entire Front Range, including Colorado Springs and El Paso County, is home to the same wildlife. Pet owners should treat rabies prevention as an active, year-round responsibility.
To report an animal concern in Colorado Springs or El Paso County, contact your local animal control agency. For wildlife concerns, contact Colorado Parks & Wildlife. Don't wait; rabies is fatal once symptoms appear.
At 4 Paws Country Kennels, proof of a current rabies vaccination is required for every dog and cat before their stay. This isn’t just policy, it’s how we protect your pet and every animal in our care.
Colorado Springs is home to one of the largest military communities in the country, with Fort Carson, Peterson Space Force Base, Schriever SFB, and the Air Force Academy all within the area. Military families face unique challenges when it comes to pet care, from sudden deployments to PCS moves to long training rotations.
If you're transitioning out of Fort Carson and need temporary boarding while you find housing, or if you're a new arrival needing regular daycare while you settle in, reach out. We're happy to work with you on a plan that fits your timeline.
No. We don’t use temperament testing as a barrier to entry. We do ask owners to be upfront about their dog’s history and any known triggers so we can set them up for the best possible experience during their stay.
We monitor all pets closely throughout the day. If we notice signs of illness, we contact you immediately. In an emergency, we will seek veterinary care and notify you right away. This is why we collect emergency contact information at check-in; please make sure it’s current.
All drop-offs and pick-ups must be scheduled in advance. This ensures we have the right staffing and space to give every pet the attention they deserve. Call us at 719-660-1260 or contact us online to schedule.
Dog boarding is $50/day, cat boarding is $40/day, and doggy daycare is $35/day, all per animal. Medication administration is always free. A non-refundable $50 deposit (dogs) or $40 deposit (cats) is required to hold your reservation. There are no hidden fees.
Yes. We have no breed restrictions. Pit bulls, Rottweilers, Dobermans, unneutered males, and reactive dogs are all welcome. We evaluate every dog as an individual.
Dogs need current rabies, DHPP, and Bordetella vaccines. Cats need current rabies and FVRCP. Please bring documentation; verbal confirmation is not sufficient. If you’re unsure whether your pet is current, contact your vet before your boarding date.
These articles from the 4 Paws blog go deeper on the topics covered in this guide. Each one links back here, so you can always find your way back to the full resource hub.
