Every year, a lot of Western New York families sit down in November to plan their holiday travel, and then realize they never figured out where the dog or cat is going to stay. By then, plenty of other families have had the same thought.

Thanksgiving and Christmas are the busiest times of year for boarding at Evergreen Kennels. If you will be traveling, hosting a houseful of guests, or just want your pet out of the holiday chaos, the best thing you can do is plan ahead. Here is why booking early matters and how to make it easy.

Why the Holidays Fill Up So Fast

Think about how many people in the Rochester and Buffalo areas travel at the same time. Flights home, drives to see family, long weekends away. Nearly all of those trips land on the same handful of dates, and every family with a pet needs a plan for those same days.

That is simple math, and it means the families who call first are the ones who get the dates they want. Waiting until the week before is a gamble you do not need to take.

Two Locations to Serve Rochester and Buffalo

One of the advantages of Evergreen Kennels is that we have two locations, both offering dog and cat boarding:

• Churchville at 1500 Kendall Rd, minutes from I-490 and the Thruway and about 15 minutes from downtown Rochester. See our dog boarding near Rochester page.
• Batavia at 8870 Wortendyke Road, just off I-90, about 35 minutes from Buffalo and 40 minutes from Rochester. See our Batavia dog boarding page.

If you are heading out on the Thruway, either location can be an easy stop on your way out of town.

Your Holiday Booking Checklist

A little prep now saves a lot of stress later. Here is what we recommend:

• Call as soon as your travel dates are set. Even if plans might shift a little, it is easier to adjust a reservation than to find an opening at the last minute.
• Email vaccine records early. Dogs need Rabies, Distemper, and Kennel Cough. Cats need Rabies and Distemper. Send records to evergreenkennelsboarding@gmail.com well before arrival. If a vaccine has lapsed, you will want time to get to your vet before the holiday rush there, too.
• Plan your drop-off and pickup around our hours. We are open Monday through Friday 9 AM to 4 PM, Saturday 9 AM to 11 AM, and Sunday 3 PM to 5 PM. Weekday pickups by 11 AM mean no boarding fee for that day. A boarding fee applies after 11 AM and for Sunday pickups.
• Set aside your pet's food. Bring enough for the whole stay in a plastic container labeled with your pet's name. Holiday trips have a way of running long, so a little extra never hurts.
• Prep medications. Oral medications for non-contagious conditions should be pre-loaded in a pill box labeled with days of the week and AM/PM.

Our FAQ page has more on what to bring and what to leave home.

Why Boarding Can Be Easier Than Bringing Your Pet Along

Holidays are fun for people, but they are not always fun for pets. Crowded houses, unfamiliar guests, dropped food, open doors, and long car rides can stress out even easygoing animals. For many pets, a calm, predictable routine is the better gift.

At Evergreen Kennels, dogs stay in individual indoor/outdoor runs in heated, air conditioned buildings with heated floors, which matters when Western New York winter settles in. Night lights and music help them wind down in the evening. Each dog is fed their own food twice a day on their usual schedule.

Cats stay in a private cat room away from the dogs, with spacious kitty condos and a TV that usually has Animal Planet on. Cats from the same home can often stay together. Learn more on our cat room page.

Little Extras for a Holiday Stay

Want to give your dog a little something special? You can request 1-on-1 playtime, a 15-minute session in a large outdoor play yard with a kennel attendant. Your dog plays only with the attendant, not with other people's dogs. You can also add a bath and brush-out so your pup comes home clean for holiday visitors. Bath pricing depends on weight, so call for details, or browse all of our services.

A Trusted Family Business

Evergreen Kennels is family owned and operated by Bobby and Dawn Vetere and has served Western New York for more than 35 years. Bobby is a former Monroe County Sheriff's K-9 Deputy and is certified in canine first aid. Our staff are genuine animal lovers who treat your pet like family, holidays included.

A quick reminder: we accept credit and debit cards only. And all that holiday boarding adds up to Paw Points on our rewards program, 1 point per dollar with $10 off at 500 points.