Dog boarding during the holiday seasons requires more planning than any ordinary boarding stay. Major holidays like Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year’s, spring break, and summer travel all create concentrated demand at boarding facilities with limited accommodations. Even some of the smaller holidays that provide 3-day weekends like Martin Luther King Day, Labor Day, and Memorial Day can have more traffic than a typical week or weekend at boarding facilities.
Waiting until the last minute can restrict your suite choices, preferred dates, and add-on services like grooming or enrichment. Many facilities also enforce special holiday policies, fees, or modified schedules that catch owners off guard.
For Knoxville dog owners, planning is especially important during the area’s busiest travel periods. Pet Resorts recommends booking early for holiday weekends, spring break, summer vacation, and UT football season. Knoxville pet care facilities fill up quickly during the holiday season, so checking holiday dog boarding availability as soon as you know your trip dates gives you the best chance at securing the stay your dog deserves. A good rule: reserve as soon as your travel dates are confirmed.
How Early Should You Book Holiday Dog Boarding?
For major holidays, reserve your dog’s boarding as soon as your travel dates are confirmed. For particularly busy periods such as Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s, several weeks or even months of advance planning can help ensure availability and give you more choices.
There isn’t one universal booking deadline. Availability depends on:
- The specific holiday
- Length of stay
- Number of dogs
- Type of accommodation preferred
- Facility capacity
- Local travel demand
- Whether your dog is already registered
- Whether a trial day is required
Pet Resorts currently allows boarding reservations up to one year in advance, giving owners the ability to secure holiday dates well ahead of time. Successful boarding requires early booking for popular holidays like Thanksgiving and Christmas – don’t wait until the season is already upon you.
Planning tip: Once your holiday travel dates are confirmed, don’t wait to reserve your dog’s stay.
Why Holiday Dog Boarding Books Earlier
Boarding facilities have a finite number of suites. Holiday travel creates concentrated demand across the same narrow windows, meaning popular dates can fill before less-busy weekdays. Longer stays consume more consecutive availability, and owners who want specific accommodations – webcams, indoor/outdoor access, or space for multiple dogs from the same household – narrow the options further.
Booking early isn’t just about getting a spot. It’s about getting the type of stay you want. Last-minute bookings may leave you with fewer choices for suite type, enrichment, grooming, or VIP play. Standard boarding rates in Knoxville range from $40 to $85 per night depending on the facility, but the most comfortable options tend to fill first.
Which Holidays Are the Busiest for Dog Boarding?
Thanksgiving
The first of the 3 largest travel holidays. Families traveling long weekends drive heavy demand in boarding facilities. Wednesday drop-offs and Sunday pick-ups create heavy traffic at every facility.
Christmas and New Year’s
Families are traveling all over the state and country to visit extended family – these trips can span over two consecutive holidays – meaning families are away longer, and dogs need multi-week stays. These are consistently the hardest dates to book in the surrounding area.
Spring Break
School breaks for all ages and families are traveling to and from Knoxville. Families schedule vacation plans, and many pups need a safe, comfortable place to stay while owners enjoy time away.
Summer Vacation
Longer trips and family vacations increase demand for extended boarding. Plenty of Knoxville clients book multi-week stays between June and August.
UT Football Season
Pet Resorts recognizes UT football season alongside holidays, spring break, and summer vacation as a peak Knoxville period when owners should plan ahead. Friday-through-Sunday stays around home games can rival holiday demand.
How Far in Advance Should You Reserve for Christmas and Thanksgiving?
Rather than an artificial deadline, consider a tiered approach:
- Dates already confirmed: Reserve immediately. This gives you the widest selection of suites and add-on services.
- Several months before the holiday: Ideal for owners who want greater flexibility in accommodation choice.
- A few weeks before: Contact the facility and check availability, but expect fewer accommodation choices.
- A few days before: Availability may be limited, especially for popular dates and premium suites.
- Last minute: Call directly rather than assuming no options exist – some facilities may have cancellations.
Pet Resorts allows boarding reservations up to one year in advance, so customers don’t need to wait until a holiday is approaching to reserve.
Don’t Forget About Your Dog’s Trial Day
A first-time boarder should find out whether registration, vaccination records, a meet-and-greet, or a trial stay is required – and how early those requirements need to be completed.
Pet Resorts requires new dogs to complete a Trial Day before their first boarding or daycare stay. The Trial Day allows staff to observe how the dog responds to the facility, team, and routine before a longer stay.
If you’re boarding your dog at Pet Resorts for the first time during a holiday, don’t wait until the week of your trip to start the registration process. Schedule the Trial Day well before Thanksgiving or Christmas to avoid last-minute stress and ensure your pet is in good hands.
Make Sure Your Dog Meets the Boarding Requirements
Pets need to be up-to-date on core vaccinations before boarding. Pet Resorts currently requires dogs boarding or attending daycare to have current:
- Rabies vaccination
- DHPP (distemper/parvo)
- Bordetella
- flea and tick prevention
Vaccination requirements can vary between pet boarding facilities, so confirm what’s needed wherever you book. Dogs must demonstrate social skills to join daycare, and records should be submitted before the holiday stay.
Choose the Right Boarding Accommodation
Booking early matters because owners often have preferences regarding suite size, privacy, webcams, and whether multiple dogs from the same household can share a space. Pet Resorts offers several accommodation categories.
Suites are priced per 24 hours. Pet Resorts also offer 30% off all prices with an additional pet (same species) in the same suite! Certain boarding facilities offer specialized options based on a dog’s temperament, so the earlier you reserve, the more opportunity you have to choose the accommodation that best fits your pup’s needs.
Ask About Holiday Check-In and Check-Out Policies
Holiday boarding isn’t always governed by the same schedule as an ordinary weekday. Before booking, ask:
- Is check-in available on the holiday itself?
- Are there special holiday fees?
- Are there restricted hours for drop-offs and pick-ups?
- What happens if travel plans change?
Pet Resorts currently lists a $60 holiday fee for check-in or check-out on specified holidays, including New Year’s Eve, New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Easter, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, the Friday after Thanksgiving, and Christmas Eve. Major holidays often see restricted drop-off or pick-up hours at pet facilities. Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day do not have public check-in or check-out availability during the stated holiday closure window.
Facilities may impose additional charges for services during holidays, so confirm exact hours and fees when making your reservation.
Booking Extra Services During the Holiday Stay
Several services can be added to a boarding stay to make the experience even better for your pet:
- Enrichment sessions and VIP one-on-one play
- Solo playtime and snacks
- Exit bath or full-service grooming – full-service grooming includes bathing, blowouts, and brushing, and Pet Resorts uses Hydro-Surge massaging bath systems for dog grooming with luxury pet beauty care products
- Training – customized training programs include board-and-train options, and training types include off-leash and on-leash obedience
Dog grooming services are offered in various package options, including services like a brush out and nails. These options let your pooch get pampered and treated like they are on their own holiday!
What Happens If Your Holiday Travel Plans Change?
Flight delays, weather, family emergencies, and missed connections can all disrupt holiday travel. Pet Resorts currently states that boarding cancellations can be made up to 48 hours before scheduled check-in. Cancellations or no-shows within that window result in forfeiture of the boarding deposit. Daycare and grooming reservations require 24-hour notice.
If you need to extend your dog’s stay, call Pet Resorts as soon as plans shift. An overdue pickup can add additional fees when owners fail to notify the facility. Reading and understanding the cancellation and pickup policies before the holiday matters more than most people realize.
Ready to Reserve Holiday Dog Boarding in Knoxville?
Holiday boarding should be planned as soon as travel dates are known. First-time boarders need additional preparation, including the Trial Day. Holiday policies and fees should be reviewed before booking so nothing catches you by surprise.
Planning a holiday trip? Contact Pet Resorts to check boarding availability, schedule a tour, or start preparing your dog’s stay.
Pet Resorts · (865) 777-DOGS (3647) · 10424 PetSafe Way, Knoxville, TN 37932