A boarding stay goes more smoothly when you treat it like a short hospital visit, not like dropping a suitcase at a hotel. This how-to is for Huntington Beach dog and cat owners who already know they need overnight care or a day stay. The reservation itself lives on the pet boarding page. Call (714) 536-7591 or book if vaccines or a pre-stay exam are due.
We board dogs and cats at 724 E Utica Avenue, Huntington Beach, CA 92648. Hospital hours: Monday–Friday 7:30 am–6:00 pm · Saturday 8:00 am–6:00 pm · Sunday closed. We are not a 24-hour boarding resort. Drop-off and pick-up happen at the desk during those hours. There is no Sunday pick-up at the front desk.
Two weeks out: records, not just a crate
Look at the vaccine record before you pack the favorite blanket. Dogs typically need rabies, distemper, parvovirus, and bordetella. Cats typically need rabies and FVRCP. If another clinic gave the shots, bring the paper or a portal screenshot. If something is due, schedule that first — a stay cannot start on a sick or unvaccinated pet. Details stay on the boarding service page; this guide is the checklist around it.
Tell us in writing: usual food (brand, amount, times), medications with the original label, anything that makes your pet anxious, and an emergency contact who actually answers. A neighbor who is out of town is not an emergency contact.
What to pack (and what to leave at home)
- Several days of the pet’s usual food in a labeled bag or the original bag. Sudden diet changes cause diarrhea in a kennel faster than at home.
- Medications in original bottles, with times written on a card. Do not send loose pills in a snack bag.
- One familiar blanket or small bed that you can stand to see a little worn. Leave the irreplaceable toy at home.
- A hard-sided carrier for cats, already used at home so the box is not a new terror on drop-off day.
- A leash and collar or harness with a current ID tag for dogs. A microchip with an updated phone number is extra insurance if a guest is ever lost off site.
Drop-off and pick-up without a Sunday surprise
Plan the calendar around the desk. If your flight lands Sunday night, arrange Saturday or Monday pick-up. We do not keep a night receptionist. A bathroom stop for dogs right before you come in saves everyone a mess in the lobby. For cats, cover the carrier with a light towel in the parking lot so the waiting room is less of a show.
First-time boarders often eat less the first night. That is common; a pet that will not eat for a full day, or that is vomiting, is a medical problem — the hospital is in the same building during open hours, which is the point of boarding here rather than a stand-alone kennel.
Health gate
Pets that look ill, have contagious signs, or arrive with fleas are not admitted. If your dog or cat has a chronic condition (diabetes, seizures, heart disease), say so when you reserve so the team can decide whether this is the right stay. We do not advertise cage-free play or spa baths on this site; ask the desk if you have a specific request.
Reserve on the boarding page, or request an appointment for vaccines before the trip.