🏠Best Boarding & Daycare in Tempe, AZ
Tempe has 11 boarding and daycare businesses listed on WagHelp, averaging 4.8 stars. Tempe's academic calendar drives boarding demand in a way no other Valley city experiences — August move-in, winter break, spring break, and May move-out all spike at once, because a large share of the city empties and refills on the same schedule. If your travel lines up with ASU's calendar, book unusually early.
Frequently asked questions
How much does dog boarding cost in Tempe?
Ask what the nightly rate includes before comparing quotes. Some facilities price daily exercise and medication administration into the rate; others bill each separately, which changes a week-long total substantially. Call two of the 11 listed here and ask the identical question.
When is boarding hardest to book in Tempe?
Around the ASU calendar — the weeks bracketing August move-in, winter break, spring break, and May move-out. Those are also when Valley travel peaks generally, so demand compounds. If your dates fall in any of those windows, book as soon as you know them and ask to be waitlisted even if a facility says it is full.
Can I get regular weekday daycare?
Yes, and Tempe has more options than its size suggests. Ask about multi-day packages rather than drop-in rates — packages are usually much cheaper per day and are often not advertised. If you want a standing weekly slot, ask for one explicitly; facilities hold those for recurring clients.
What vaccinations will they require?
Expect rabies, DHPP, and bordetella at minimum, with canine influenza increasingly required as well. Bordetella often needs to be administered at least a week before the stay, which is the requirement that most often catches people out. Get the list at booking, not the day before — your vet may need an appointment.
What should I ask about summer heat?
Ask when dogs go outside, for how long, and onto what surface. Turf and concrete both reach paw-burn temperature well before noon from June through September. Ask what happens if air conditioning fails overnight — a facility with an immediate answer has planned for it.
Is boarding or in-home sitting better for a cat?
Usually in-home sitting, and it is worth asking whether a facility offers it. Cats generally handle a familiar environment with visits better than relocation, and the stress of boarding shows up as not eating — which becomes a genuine medical problem in cats faster than in dogs. Ask specifically how a facility houses cats away from dog noise if you do board.