If you've started looking into professional pet care options in the Buffalo or Batavia area, you've probably come across two main offerings at most facilities: dog daycare and dog boarding. Both involve leaving your dog in the care of trained professionals, but they serve different purposes and suit different situations.

At Evergreen Kennels in Batavia, NY, both services are available. Here's a breakdown of how they differ and how to figure out which one your dog actually needs.

What Is Dog Daycare?

Dog daycare is a daytime drop-off service. You bring your dog in the morning and pick them up later in the day. It's designed for days when you'll be at work, running long errands, attending appointments, or simply need your dog to have supervised activity and company for several hours.

Daycare is ideal for dogs who are social, energetic, or prone to anxiety or destructive behavior when left home alone. It gives them something to do, people to interact with, and a structured environment that keeps boredom and restlessness at bay.

What Is Dog Boarding?

Dog boarding is overnight care. Your dog stays at the facility while you're traveling, working long hours over multiple days, or otherwise unavailable to care for them at home. Boarding provides everything your dog needs around the clock, including feeding, exercise, attention, and a safe place to sleep.

At Evergreen Kennels, boarding dogs stay in individual indoor/outdoor runs with access to fresh air, climate-controlled buildings with heated floors, and a nighttime routine that includes low lighting and soft music to help them settle and sleep comfortably.

How to Decide Which Is Right for Your Dog

Choose Daycare If:

You're going to be away from home for the day but will return in the evening. Your dog has separation anxiety and does better with company than being home alone. Your dog is high energy and needs more stimulation than a regular workday allows. You want a regular routine that gives your dog structure several days per week.

Choose Boarding If:

You're traveling overnight or for multiple days. You're flying out of Buffalo Niagara Airport or Rochester's airport and won't be home in time for your dog in the evening. You need around-the-clock care, feeding, and attention for your pet. You want the peace of mind that comes with knowing your dog is in professional hands 24 hours a day.

Can You Combine Both?

Absolutely. Many pet owners at Evergreen Kennels use daycare regularly throughout the year and switch to overnight boarding when travel comes up. Because your dog will already be familiar with the facility, the staff, and the routine, the transition to an overnight stay is much smoother. Dogs who have done daycare at Evergreen before their first boarding stay typically adjust faster and show less anxiety.

Add-Ons That Work for Both Services

Whether you're booking daycare or boarding, Evergreen Kennels offers optional add-ons that can enhance your dog's experience. One-on-one playtime sessions in the outdoor play yards are available for $15 per 15 minutes (at the time of this article) and are a great way to give your dog extra individual attention. Bath and brush services can be added to any stay as well, so your dog comes home clean and refreshed.

Pricing at Evergreen Kennels in Batavia

Dog boarding starts at $54 per day (at the time of this article), dropping to $49 per day for stays of 14 days or more. Additional dogs sharing a kennel are $34 per day. Cat boarding is $30 per day. Contact Evergreen Kennels directly for current daycare pricing and availability.

The Batavia location is open for pickup and drop-off Monday through Friday 9 AM to 4 PM, Saturday 3 PM to 5 PM, and Sunday 9 AM to 11 AM. The facility is located at 8870 Wortendyke Road, just 30 to 35 minutes from Buffalo and easily accessible from I-90.