Your Laurel pup deserves better than a kennel run. Our cage-free dog boarding in Ellicott City trades cold crates for cozy beds and lots of group play. And our team stays hands-on the whole time. Think of it as a sleepover at a best friend's house, with your dog as the guest of honor.
Every Laurel pet parent knows the feeling. The bags are packed, and one question is left: what will your dog's night really be like? At Happy Dog Care, there's no guesswork. Boarding guests never sleep behind metal bars, never get shut away alone, and never get a half-attentive caretaker. Instead, they get the same full days of play and plush bedding our daycare dogs love. Our team carries that care past lights-out and through breakfast.
Crate-free from start to finish: Boarding guests skip metal crates and cage runs entirely, unless you ask for one.
Play is part of every stay: Hours of supervised group play leave your dog tired and ready for bed.
Bedtime that feels like home: Low lights and plush group bedding take the place of a traditional kennel run.
No two overnight guests are alike, but every stay follows the same easy rhythm. Expect lots of playtime, a calm evening, and a restful night.
Includes:
All-day daycare
Medications (if needed)
Meal time (Provided by you. Emergency meals provided for $5)
Lots of love
*Add $10 per night during holiday periods ($85 per 24 hours)
**Military/Veteran discount: 5% off every stay
Regulars and first-timers from Laurel alike get a stay shaped around their personality, energy, and needs.
Current on Rabies, Distemper, Canine Influenza, and Bordetella vaccinations
Pre-portioned meals and any medications sent along for the stay
Our overnight care follows the same safety standards as our daycare. That means clean spaces, constant supervision, and staff who truly pay attention.
Spots fill fast, especially around holidays, so reserve early! Make a reservation or give us a call to chat about your dog's ideal overnight experience.
Laurel pups can trade a quiet day at home for nonstop fun at our cage-free Ellicott City daycare. Our spacious indoor and outdoor play yards skip the cages and crates, giving dogs real room to run. Here, every dog is free to play and make friends the way nature intended. Instead of waiting by the door, they spend hours in supervised playgroups matched by size, energy, and temperament. Attentive staff watch over each playgroup from start to finish, so the fun stays safe. Your dog comes home with real exercise, some new pals, and that happy, tired look you love.
Our Ellicott City Grooming Spa gives Laurel dogs a complete refresh, not just a fast rinse. Inside a calm, spotless setting, our professional groomers keep stress low from drop-off through pickup. Choose a basic bath, a breed-specific cut, or our full spa package. Your dog heads home looking sharp and smelling fresh. No matter the size or breed, every pup gets pampered from nose to tail.
Through our partnership with Dog Training Elite, our Ellicott City location helps Laurel dogs become their very best. Each program fits a dog’s age and purpose, with tracks for puppies, adult dogs, and Service dogs. Our certified trainers use proven, reward-based techniques tailored to every dog’s personality and learning pace. From basic obedience all the way to Service dog certification, training stays effective and fun at every step. You gain a more confident dog who’s easier to live with, plus a stronger bond between you.
Laurel is a town where dogs get out and about. On weekends, dogs of every size head to the Maryland City Park dog park off Brock Bridge Road. Weekday evenings bring laps around the lake at Granville Gude Park or a stroll near Riverfront Park and historic Main Street. From West Laurel and North Laurel to Russett and Maryland City, local pups are used to staying active every day. So when a work trip or BWI flight comes up, Laurel pet parents want boarding that keeps that energy going. A kennel just shuts it down.
That’s what brings Laurel families north to our Ellicott City pet resort. Here, playtime, exercise, and socializing stay part of your dog’s day. That holds for a long weekend, a conference, or a single night. There’s no isolated kennel run and no last-minute sitter search. Just a team that knows how to keep your dog happy. The drive fits easily around your travel plans. And your dog gets the kind of care that makes them excited to come back.
From Laurel, pick up MD-216 West and follow it about 5.3 miles to US-29 North (Columbia Pike) in Scaggsville. Head north on US-29 for roughly 12.8 miles into Ellicott City. Near the end, take Exit 24B onto US-40 West (Baltimore National Pike). After a final right turn, look for Happy Dog Care at 10246B on your right. Door to door, the trip covers about 18 miles and takes around 28 minutes.
How far is Happy Dog Care from Laurel?
We’re about 18 miles from Laurel, a drive of roughly 28 minutes. Take MD-216 West to US-29 North in Scaggsville. Then follow US-29 North to our pet resort on Baltimore National Pike in Ellicott City. Many Laurel families fit the trip easily into a travel day, like a drop-off before a BWI flight.
What makes your boarding cage-free?
Boarding dogs are never kept in metal crates or cage runs (unless you specifically request one). Instead, your dog spends the day in supervised group play. At night, they sleep in a home-style setup with soft bedding and low lighting. It’s the same cage-free experience they’d get at daycare, just extended overnight.
What vaccinations does my dog need to board?
Before their first stay, every dog needs proof of current Rabies, Distemper, Canine Influenza, and Bordetella vaccinations. This applies to both boarding and daycare and keeps every dog in the building safe.
How much does dog boarding cost?
Boarding is $75 per 24 hours, which includes all-day daycare, medication administration if needed, mealtime, and plenty of attention. Holiday periods add $10 per night ($85 per 24 hours). We also offer a 5% military and veteran discount on every stay. You provide your dog’s food, and emergency meals are available for $5.
Do I need to bring my dog’s food?
Yes. We ask that you send pre-portioned meals along with clearly labeled feeding instructions, plus any medications your dog needs. If you run short, emergency meals are available for $5.
Can I board my dog over a holiday weekend?
Yes. Spots fill fast, especially around holidays, so we recommend reserving early. Holiday stays run $85 per 24 hours.
When can I drop off and pick up my dog?
Drop-off and pickup happen during daycare hours: Monday through Friday, 6:30am to 6:30pm. Weekend service windows are 8 to 9am, 12 to 1pm, and 5 to 6pm. Please schedule weekend drop-offs and pickups ahead of time.
Will my dog be safe playing with other dogs?
Yes. We group dogs by size, temperament, and energy level so play stays well-matched. Attentive staff supervise every session in our climate-controlled facility.
How do I make a boarding reservation?
Make a reservation online, or call us at (410) 480-0302 to talk through your dog’s ideal overnight stay.
