If you’ve ever scrambled to find someone trustworthy to look after your dog while you’re away, you know the relief of discovering there’s more than just rows of concrete kennels available. In Ireland, a growing number of home boarding options have quietly shifted the landscape for pet owners in Dublin, Galway, and beyond — offering alternatives that often cost less and feel more personal. This guide cuts through the options with specific prices, named providers, and the trade-offs you’ll want to weigh before you book.

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Top boarding types: Home boarding, kennels · Key locations: Dublin, Galway, Cork · Cork services listed: 32 · Galway options: Barking Mad home boarding

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
2What’s unclear
  • No single verified national average for full Irish market
  • 2026 pricing updates not yet confirmed across all facilities
  • Customer review aggregates beyond platform mentions are limited
3Timeline signal
4What’s next
  • Book Dublin’s DSPCA at least 6 months ahead during peak periods (Petsitters Ireland)
  • Compare home boarding platforms (Pawshake, Gudog) alongside traditional kennels (Petsitters Ireland)
  • Regional Galway prices remain fixed regardless of seasonal demand (Petsitters Ireland)

Key pricing data from verified sources reveals the range owners face across Irish boarding options.

Label Value
Primary alternative to kennels Home boarding
Cork boarders available 32 via Petbacker
West Cork sitter type Super Sitter Courtney
Dublin average kennel cost €25 per day
Dublin kennel price range €13–€40
Galway Pet Services two dogs €25 per night
Galway Pet Services three dogs €35 per night
Happy Hounds distance from Dublin 17 miles (County Meath)

How much does it cost to put a dog in kennels in Ireland?

Dog boarding kennels in Dublin average around €25 per dog per day, with some facilities including food and others charging extra for meals and treats (Petsitters Ireland price comparison). Prices vary considerably: one Dublin kennel charges €40 per night for two dogs, while another charges just €13 per dog — the lowest verified price in the capital. Galway Pet Services offers more structured pricing: €25 per night for two dogs sharing one kennel from the same household, €35 for three dogs, and €40 for a single dog (Galway Pet Services pricing page).

Kennels rates overview

The clearest pattern across Irish kennels is a wide price range concentrated in Dublin and fixed rates in Galway. Dublin facilities span from €13 to €40 per dog depending on the provider, with premium options like Dogtopia Canine Retreat in County Dublin offering luxury suites, webcam access, vet on-call service, and gourmet menus (Slaneyside best kennels list). Budget-conscious owners have viable alternatives at €13–€15 per dog, though these typically offer fewer .

Factors affecting price

Several variables drive what you’ll pay: location (Dublin commands higher prices), facility amenities (heated kennels, exercise runs, grooming), included services (food, medications, one-on-one attention), and whether you’re booking during summer or holiday peaks. The DSPCA Pet and Spa Hotel in Rathfarnham, Dublin, is a particularly popular facility for dogs and cats, so much so that staff request bookings six months in advance during busy periods (Petsitters Ireland Dublin kennels listing). All verified facilities require full vaccinations and recommend touring the facility before committing.

Bottom line: Dublin kennels range from €13–€40 per dog. Galway kennels offer fixed rates of €25–€40 depending on how many dogs share a kennel. Budget seekers should check Meath options and compare Dublin’s lower-end facilities against home boarding alternatives.

Where can you put your dog if you go on holiday?

Ireland offers two broad categories: purpose-built kennels and home boarding. Kennels provide secure, contained environments with supervised play and, at premium facilities, heated accommodations and large exercise runs. Home boarding places your dog in a sitter’s own home, where they mix with other pets and enjoy a more domestic routine (Petsitters Ireland comparison guide). Home boarding is often cheaper and more home-like than kennels, though it carries less secure containment — important if your dog is a known escape artist.

Home boarding options

Platforms like Pawshake and Gudog connect owners with verified home boarders across Ireland. On Gudog, for instance, sitters advertise in-house boarding with no kennels or cages, daily photo and video updates, and pick-up and drop-off service (Gudog in-house boarding listing). In Galway, Pawshake lists multiple home boarders: Myriam charges €40 per night with 12 reviews, while Allana charges €30 with 7 reviews. Both are roughly 13–14 km from Galway city (Pawshake Galway home boarding listings). Recurring bookings on these platforms suggest growing reliability.

Kennels near major cities

For owners who prefer traditional boarding, Dublin offers facilities like Doonane Dogs in the Dublin Mountains near Coolmine and Saggart, which combines boarding with full grooming services on 10 acres (Petsitters Ireland Dublin facility guide). Happy Hounds in County Meath sits 17 miles from Dublin and features heated kennels plus three large exercise runs — appealing for high-energy breeds. Galway Kennels in Ardrahan has operated as a family-run business since 2005, offering heated kennels, supervised play, and grooming, with flexible hours for drop-off and collection (Galway Kennels official site).

The upshot

Home boarding through Pawshake or Gudog typically costs €30–€40 per night in Galway and often includes perks like daily photos and home-style routines. Kennels suit owners who prioritize secure containment and professional supervision over personalisation.

Dog boarding near Dublin

Dublin’s dog boarding market spans a wide spectrum — from budget options around €13 per dog to luxury retreats with gourmet menus and webcam access. The DSPCA Pet and Spa Hotel in Rathfarnham is among the most sought-after facilities, requiring six months advance notice during peak travel periods and full vaccination documentation (Petsitters Ireland Dublin boarding overview). Happy Hounds in County Meath sits close enough to Dublin (17 miles) for convenient access while offering heated kennels and expansive exercise runs that bigger dogs particularly benefit from.

Top Dublin services

Four facilities appear most consistently across verified listings: Doonane Dogs (Dublin Mountains, boarding plus grooming, 10 acres), Happy Hounds (County Meath, heated kennels, 3 exercise runs), Dogtopia Canine Retreat (County Dublin, luxury suites, webcam, vet on-call), and the DSPCA Pet and Spa Hotel (Rathfarnham, high demand, 6-month booking window). Petbacker and Petsitters Ireland provide comparison frameworks for weighing price against amenities across these options.

Prices and reviews

Dublin kennel prices from verified sources: Kennel 1 charges €40 per night for two dogs, Kennel 4 charges €13 per dog (the lowest recorded). The city-wide average of €25 per day provides a reasonable baseline for budgeting (Petsitters Ireland Dublin price list). Review platforms like Petbacker aggregate user ratings for Dublin facilities, though the most detailed price and amenity data still comes from direct facility listings rather than crowdsourced reviews.

Why this matters

Dublin’s DSPCA facility books out 6 months ahead during school holidays and Christmas — a reality that catches many first-time kennel bookers off guard. If you have a summer holiday planned, locking in your spot in January is not unrealistic.

Cheap dog boarding near me

Budget-conscious dog owners in Ireland have two viable paths: lower-tier kennels in Dublin and home boarding platforms in Galway. Dublin Kennel 4 charges just €13 per dog — the lowest verified price in the capital — while home boarders in Galway like Pawshake Allana charge €30 per night with the benefit of a home environment rather than a kennel run (Petsitters Ireland Dublin kennel listings). The trade-off is real: budget kennels typically skip extras like heated accommodation, grooming, or one-on-one attention.

Budget options

For owners willing to travel slightly outside Dublin, Happy Hounds in County Meath (17 miles) offers mid-range pricing with heated kennels and large exercise runs — a significant upgrade from bare-bones facilities at comparable cost. Petbacker lists 32 dog boarding services in Cork alone, giving Cork-based owners a substantial pool to compare (Petbacker Cork boarding listings). Home boarding platforms tend to price competitively with mid-range kennels while delivering more personalised care.

Home vs kennel savings

Home boarding is often cheaper than premium kennels but comparable to mid-range facilities. Pawshake Allana at €30 per night versus Dogtopia’s luxury suites illustrates the range: a basic home boarding experience costs roughly the same as a mid-tier kennel, while budget kennels at €13–€15 undercut most home boarding options. The real value calculation depends on what’s included: food, medication administration, grooming, and webcam access quickly close the price gap.

Bottom line: Dublin’s cheapest verified kennel is €13 per dog at Kennel 4. Home boarding in Galway starts at €30 via Pawshake. Budget owners should weigh whether the lower cost of a basic kennel justifies fewer amenities — especially for dogs with special needs or anxiety.

Dog boarding Galway and kennels Oranmore

Galway presents a different market dynamic: more home boarding options, a family-run kennel operating since 2005, and relatively fixed pricing compared to Dublin’s wide range. Galway Kennels in Ardrahan Co. Galway caters to all sizes, breeds, and special needs with heated kennels, supervised play, and grooming services. The facility is open Monday–Saturday 9:30 am–12:30 pm and 3–6 pm, with Sunday and holiday hours 3–6 pm, and closes annually from December 22–26 (Galway Kennels official facility hours).

Regional providers

Beyond Galway Kennels, options include K9 Country Lodge in County Galway, offering large fields for off-lead play and full licensing with vet recommendations (Slaneyside Irish kennels review). Galway Pet Services provides transparent pricing at €25–€40 per night depending on the number of dogs sharing a kennel. Petbacker lists 11 dog boarding services in Galway, making comparison straightforward for owners who want to weigh multiple options before committing.

Barking Mad service

Barking Mad appears in search results as an alternative home boarding provider in Ireland, though specific Galway pricing and reviews weren’t among the verified sources reviewed for this article. Owners searching for Barking Mad in the Galway area should cross-reference platform listings with direct enquiries to confirm current rates, availability, and service details. The broader Pawshake and Gudog platforms represent more transparent options with publicly listed prices and review counts.

The catch

Galway Kennels closes for a week over Christmas — December 22–26 — and facilities in Oranmore and Ardrahan can fill quickly during school holidays. If you’re planning a December trip, book by October at the latest.

How to book dog boarding: step by step

Most Irish facilities follow a similar booking process with minor variations based on whether you choose a kennel or home boarding platform.

  • Step 1 — Confirm vaccinations: Every verified Irish facility requires full vaccination records before a dog can board. Request your vet records well in advance if you don’t have them to hand.
  • Step 2 — Tour the facility or review profiles: For kennels, visit in person if possible to check cleanliness, exercise space, and staff interaction with animals. For home boarding, review platform profiles, response times, and recurring booking counts.
  • Step 3 — Compare at least three options: Use Petbacker to compare prices, ratings, and services across providers in your area. Don’t rely solely on the first listing you find — the price range within a single city can be 3× apart.
  • Step 4 — Book in advance during peak periods: Dublin’s DSPCA requires six months notice during school holidays. Galway Kennels and most premium facilities similarly fill quickly around Christmas, Easter, and summer.
  • Step 5 — Confirm what’s included: Ask specifically about food, medication administration, emergency vet access, and whether daily updates or photos are provided. These vary significantly and affect both cost and peace of mind.

Upsides

  • More options now exist beyond traditional kennels — home boarding platforms offer genuine alternatives
  • Galway fixed pricing removes guesswork; Dublin has budget options as low as €13 per dog
  • Petbacker and Pawshake enable straightforward price and review comparisons
  • Premium facilities offer webcam access, gourmet menus, and vet on-call for anxious dogs
  • Home boarding suits dogs that stress in kennel environments

Downsides

  • Dublin’s most popular facility books out 6 months ahead — too late for spontaneous travellers
  • Budget kennels often exclude food, grooming, and one-on-one attention
  • Home boarding carries less secure containment — not ideal for escape-prone dogs
  • December 22–26 closure at Galway Kennels creates a booking gap over Christmas
  • Galway home boarding platforms carry lower source confidence than tier1/2 kennels

“We are a family-run business and have been operating since 2005 providing quality pet boarding facilities.”

— Galway Kennels official statement (Family-run kennel operator, Ardrahan)

“DSPCA offers secure boarding onsite, and pet owners should try to book six months in advance during busy time.”

— Petsitters Ireland boarding guide (Pet service reviewer)

For dog owners in Ireland, the landscape of boarding options has expanded well beyond the concrete-kennel stereotype. Home boarding platforms now sit alongside family-run kennels like Galway Kennels (operating since 2005) and premium Dublin facilities like Dogtopia, giving owners genuine choices across price points and care philosophies. The challenge isn’t finding somewhere — it’s matching the right fit to your dog’s temperament, your budget, and how far in advance you can plan.

Owners who plan ahead access the widest range at competitive prices (€13–€40) in Dublin, but those who leave booking to the last minute will find limited availability. Galway owners face less price volatility but should account for the December 22–26 closure and book home boarding sitters with verified reviews rather than unproven profiles.

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Ireland pet owners weighing kennels at €13-€40 daily against Pawshake home stays should explore costs safety tips facilities for transparent pricing and verified safety protocols.

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Frequently asked questions

What is dog boarding near me?

Dog boarding refers to overnight or short-term accommodation for dogs while their owners are away. In Ireland, this includes purpose-built kennels in Dublin, Galway, and other cities, as well as home boarding where dogs stay with a verified sitter in their own home. Platforms like Pawshake, Gudog, and Petbacker aggregate options by location, allowing owners to search specifically for their area.

How to choose dog kennels near me?

Compare at least three facilities by asking five specific questions: What are the vaccination requirements? Is food included or extra? What are the emergency vet arrangements? Are daily updates or photos provided? What is the cancellation policy? Visiting in person before booking gives you a clear sense of cleanliness, staff quality, and whether the environment suits your dog.

Are there dog boarding options in Cork?

Yes. Petbacker lists 32 dog boarding services in Cork, giving owners a substantial pool to compare on price, ratings, and services. Specific verified pricing for Cork facilities was not included in the sources reviewed, so owners should check individual listings directly or use Petbacker to filter by price range and review score.

What to consider for dog boarding prices?

Ask what is included: food, medication administration, grooming, webcam access, and one-on-one attention all affect the final cost. Dublin prices range from €13 to €40 per dog depending on the facility. Galway kennels charge €25–€40 per night depending on how many dogs share a kennel. Home boarding on Pawshake costs €30–€40 per night in Galway. Always confirm whether peak-season surcharges apply.

Is home boarding safer than kennels?

Safety depends on the dog’s temperament and the specific provider, not the boarding model. Kennels offer secure, purpose-built containment with supervised environments. Home boarding provides a domestic setting where dogs live as part of a household — better for dogs who find kennels stressful but riskier for escape-prone dogs in a home environment. Review platform profiles carefully and ask about containment arrangements before booking.

Dog boarding near me for puppies?

Puppies typically require more frequent feeding, medication, and socialisation than adult dogs. Not all facilities accept young puppies — ask specifically about their policy on age, feeding schedules, and whether staff can administer medications. Home boarding may offer more flexible care for puppies, though kennels with experienced staff can also accommodate young dogs. Confirm vaccination requirements, as puppies may need additional jabs before they can board.

How to find cheap dog boarding?

Start with Petbacker to compare prices across multiple providers in your city. Dublin’s lowest verified kennel price is €13 per dog at Kennel 4. Home boarding in Galway starts at €30 via Pawshake. Consider whether budget options exclude food, grooming, and webcam access — these exclusions may save money upfront but add cost later if your dog needs additional services. Always verify vaccination requirements before booking any facility.