Travel days are hectic enough. You are packing, double-checking flight times, and trying to remember whether you turned off the coffee pot. Figuring out where the dog goes should not add to the stress.

If you are flying out of Frederick Douglass Greater Rochester International Airport (ROC), Evergreen Kennels in Churchville is a short drive via I-490. That makes it easy to drop your dog off with us and head out of town. Here is how to make that plan work smoothly.

Why Churchville Works for Travelers

Our Churchville kennel at 1500 Kendall Road sits minutes from I-490 and the Thruway, and about 15 minutes from downtown Rochester. That makes it a convenient stop whether you live in Chili, Gates, Ogden, Spencerport, Riga, or Bergen, or you are coming from across the Rochester area. You get a kennel that is easy to reach on your way out of town and easy to reach again when you land.

Learn more on our dog boarding near Rochester page.

Plan Drop-Off Around Our Hours

The key to a stress-free travel day is matching your drop-off to our hours. Our Churchville kennel is open:

• Monday through Friday: 9 AM to 4 PM
• Saturday: 9 AM to 11 AM
• Sunday: 3 PM to 5 PM

If you have an early morning flight, you will want to drop your dog off the day before during business hours. If your flight is midday or later, you can often drop off on your way to the airport. Just leave yourself some breathing room so you are not rushing the goodbye.

Plan Pickup to Save on Fees

When you get home matters too. If you pick up on a weekday by 11 AM, there is no boarding fee for that day. After 11 AM, a boarding fee applies, and a boarding fee also applies for Sunday pickups. If you land late in the evening, plan on picking up the next morning during business hours. You can check the details on our pricing page.

A Pre-Trip Checklist

A little preparation the week before makes drop-off day quick and easy:

• Vaccines: Dogs need Rabies, Distemper, and Kennel Cough. Email records to evergreenkennelsboarding@gmail.com before arrival.
• Food: Bring enough of your dog's regular food for the full stay in a plastic container labeled with their name. If you run short on packing time, we can provide food for $2.50 per day.
• Medications: Oral meds for non-contagious conditions only, pre-loaded in a pill box labeled with the days of the week and AM/PM. We can provide a pill box for a fee. We do not give injectable medications, including insulin.
• Bedding: Welcome, as long as it is machine washable. Leave favorite toys at home.
• Payment: We accept credit and debit cards only, no cash or checks.

Our FAQ page covers more of the common questions.

What Your Dog Does While You Are Away

While you are in the air, your dog is settling into an individual indoor/outdoor run with fresh air and sunshine. Our building is heated and air conditioned with heated floors. Your dog eats their own food twice a day on their usual schedule, and at night we keep night lights on and music playing.

Want your dog to get some extra attention? Add 1-on-1 playtime: 15-minute sessions in a large outdoor play yard with a kennel attendant. Your dog does not play with other people's dogs. You can also add a bath and brush-out so your dog comes home clean. See our full list of services.

Traveling With a Cat Too?

We board cats as well. Our private cat room is separate from the dog areas and has spacious kitty condos and a TV, usually tuned to Animal Planet. Cats need Rabies and Distemper vaccines. Visit our cat room page to learn more.

Peace of Mind on Your Trip

Evergreen Kennels is family owned and operated by Bobby and Dawn Vetere, serving Western New York for more than 35 years. Bobby is a former Monroe County Sheriff's K-9 Deputy, certified in canine first aid by the Veterinary Tactical Group, with a certificate in Tactical Canine Casualty Care. Our staff are genuine animal lovers. You can relax on your trip knowing your dog is in experienced hands.

And if you travel often, every dollar you spend earns Paw Points: 1 point per $1, and 500 points gets you $10 off. No sign-up and no expiration. Details are on our rewards page.