Both Luxury Pet Hotels of America and VCA Animal Hospitals Pet Boarding offer valuable services, but they cater to slightly different needs. Luxury Pet Hotels of America emphasizes a luxurious and enriching experience, while VCA Animal Hospitals Pet Boarding provides the added benefit of on-site veterinary care and accommodates a wider range of pets. The best choice depends on the specific needs and preferences of the pet owner.
| Attribute | Luxury Pet Hotels of America | VCA Animal Hospitals Pet Boarding |
|---|---|---|
| Types of pets accepted | Primarily dogs and cats, but some facilities may offer boarding for other types of pets. Check with the specific location. | Dogs, cats, rabbits, ferrets, birds, guinea pigs, reptiles and other pocket pets are accepted at certain locations. |
| Boarding options | Luxury suites with comfortable bedding, TVs, and climate control; standard rooms; cage-free options; group play areas; individual playtime; dormitory-style cabanas. | Indoor runs, indoor/outdoor runs, window or non-window condos, suites, private cabins, and medical boarding are available at certain locations. |
| Daily activity schedule and enrichment programs | Playtime (group and individual), exercise, socialization, enrichment activities like agility courses and interactive toys, calming activities, webcams. | Exercise programs tailored for dogs, playtime, cuddle time, leash walks, and potty breaks are available. Some locations offer playgroups and socialization with other dogs. Enrichment toys, treats, and puzzles may also be offered. |
| Staff-to-pet ratio | Varies, inquire directly with the pet hotel. Facilities emphasize professionally trained and certified staff. | While a specific staff-to-pet ratio isn't consistently provided, some VCA locations have staff on-site 24/7. |
| Veterinary care availability | On-call veterinarian, partnerships with local veterinary clinics, on-site veterinary services or sister veterinary company on the same property. | Many VCA boarding facilities are associated with animal hospitals, providing on-site veterinary care. Some locations have veterinarians available six days a week and on call every weekend. |
| Emergency protocols and safety measures | Up-to-date vaccinations required, secure fencing and gating systems, staff supervision, trained staff in pet first aid and emergency response, medical directives, surveillance cameras, evacuation plans. | VCA South Shore Animal Hospital is open 24/7 and fully staffed, with a doctor always on the premises. Some locations have 24-hour monitoring and overnight technicians. Some facilities have smoke and burglary detection systems linked to local police and fire departments. Secure and safe kennel designs, 24/7 staffing at some locations, and secure fencing in exercise areas are used. |
| Hygiene and sanitation practices | Strict cleaning protocols, regular disinfection, thorough sanitation, air purification systems, isolation areas for sick pets, regular laundry. | Maintaining a sanitary environment is a priority. Daily cleaning of surfaces with veterinary-approved disinfectants, frequent attention to shared spaces, and separate cleaning equipment for different areas are implemented. Continuous airflow systems are also used. Rigorous cleaning protocols, vaccination policies, isolation of sick pets, staff hygiene practices, and limiting contact during high-risk situations are implemented. |
| Food options and dietary accommodations | Premium food, custom diets, owner-provided food. | VCA typically provides dry food and fresh water. Some locations feed Purina EN or Hill's Science Diet. Owners can bring their own food, and prescription or special needs diets are accommodated. However, some locations do not allow raw food diets. |
| Grooming services offered | Full-service grooming, spa treatments, self-serve dog wash. | Grooming services are available at certain VCA Pet Boarding locations. |
| Training services offered | Obedience training, board and train programs, experienced trainers. | Training services are available at certain VCA Pet Boarding locations. |
| Pricing structure and additional fees | All-inclusive packages, additional fees for services like medication administration, special food, or extra playtime, peak season surcharges, deposits, cancellation policies. | Boarding costs vary by location and accommodation type. Additional fees may apply for extra services like playtime, cuddle time, grooming, medication administration, and special care. |
| Customer reviews and testimonials | Customer reviews and testimonials highlight the caring staff, fun activities, and overall positive experiences pets have during their stays. | Some customers praise the friendly and caring staff. |
| Handling pets with anxiety or special needs | Not available | Some locations offer medical boarding for pets with special needs, and staff is trained to handle pets on medication or with health concerns. Environmental enrichment, calming music, and one-on-one attention are provided. |
| Visiting the boarding area | Not available | VCA recommends visiting the kennels beforehand to verify that the facility meets your expectations. |
| Staff experience and training | Not available | Staff members love animals and undergo training. Some locations have certified professional dog trainers and kennel managers. |
| Exercise and potty breaks | Not available | Dogs are walked and exercised multiple times a day. VCA Coral Animal Hospital Resort includes at least 4 potty breaks and multiple play times each day. |
| Medication administration | Not available | Medications must be in their original containers with the prescription label. The technical team typically administers medications. |
| Communication with owners | Not available | Some locations offer pet vacation photos via email. |
| Drop-off and pick-up procedures and hours | Not available | Drop-off and pick-up hours vary by location. Some offer specific time windows, while others have extended hours. |
| Cancellation policy | Not available | Cancellation policies vary. VCA Avondale Pet Resort requires 24-hour notice, or a 48-hour notice for holidays, otherwise, a charge for one night's stay may be applied. VCA Animal Wellness Center of Maple Grove Resort requires 48-hour notice, or a 10-day notice for holidays, spring break and MEA weekend. |