Last Updated on June 22, 2020 by Amanda Stancati

They sure do! Just because you’re going on vacation doesn’t mean Fido & Fluffy deserve to be left behind to hold down the house, or worse, be caged in a maximum security facility. They deserve all-inclusive vacation packages just like you!

I remember as a kid our golden retriever, Rocky, would always go to Club Pet at Christmas time when we went the Florida for two weeks. He had his own cushy bed, he got a full grooming, which he adored, and even had his picture taken with Santa Paws.

He was always happy to see us when we got home (my dad especially: imagine a 100lbs retriever charging from across the room, leaping into his arms! It’s a good thing Dad is strong a 6’4″ man!). After a moment of blissful tail-wagging and sloppy kisses, Rocky would just as quickly return to his big comfy bed, surrounded by his long-lost friends he only got to visit once a year. It’s as if he was inviting us into his new-found haven he was fully prepared to call home.

The moral of my little story is that pets need vacations, too! And there are lots of super cool places where you can send your furry, four-legged babies where they too can be pampered and loved, enjoy some party time with friends, and get some well-deserved R&R. Here are a few of the top pet paradises our vacation experts recommend:

Holly’s Pride, Burlington, ON
Very clean facilities and wonderfully loving staff. Dogs can’t get out of the car fast enough when the arrive here! After a full day of playing in the large fenced in yards, dogs are pampered with warm blankets and soft cozy beds, complete with a bedtime biscuit each night. Book well in advance, as Holly’s Pride fills up quick!

Hounds on Holiday, Guelph, ON
A superior alternative to dog boarding kennels, Hounds On Holiday provides the best in cage free, kennel free boarding for your dog. This popular concept is a new kind of dog-sitting service designed to offer pet owners peace of mind when they travel away from home.

Chasin’ Tails, Calgary, AB
Chasin’ Tails claims to have coined the phrase “Open Care Concept,” which means that visiting dogs are never kenneled during their stay. They say that by eliminating kennels, they eliminate the stress and loneliness that associated with being caged. To play or not to play … at Chasin’ Tails, dogs decide how much or how little they want to play with the other dogs. If they want to chill out and relax, they can do that, too!

Pet Pampering, Victoria, BC
Pet Pampering’s philosophy is that dogs are social animals and therefore need the company of other dogs. Their completely fenced acreage has large play fields for the very active dog, and lots of cozy spots for napping. Pet pampering offers the best of all worlds–lots of playtime for  energetic guests, and quiet areas for the small, elderly and shy canine friends. The staff here caters to the needs of the individual visitor.

Country Club Pet Resort
Family owned and operated for more than 50 years, Country Club Pet Resort is the largest of its kind in Canada. The Pet Resort offers 20 acres of beautiful countryside with breathtaking panoramic views of the Rocky Mountains. Canine visitors will enjoy playing with new farmyard friends, splashing in the swimming pool surrounded by water falls, and snack time afterwards in the off-leash parks. Feline guests can expect a royal greeting, choosing from themed suites including Roman Villas, Jungle rooms, Windsor castle, and more. This “all-inclusive” resort designs a personal itinerary for your pets based on his/her individual needs.

Do you have a special pet-cation destination you’d like to share with your fellow four-legged furry pet parents? Share it here!