Dog and Cat Boarding in Silver Spring, MD
Boarding with a team that cares for your pet as if they were guests in our own home.
As animal lovers, we know that being away from your pet while you travel is hard. You want to know they'll be cared for by people who pay attention, who notice when something is off, and who know what to do about it.
That's what makes boarding at Layhill different from a traditional kennel. Your pet is cared for inside a working veterinary hospital, which means medical oversight at every step of the stay:
- During business hours, our veterinary staff is on-site the entire day. That's constant eyes on every pet with us, not periodic check-ins.
- Every day, including weekends and holidays, our dedicated kennel team comes in twice a day to feed, walk, medicate, and change bedding for every animal.
- Throughout the stay, Dr. Adelman is on call for any medical emergency, or anything our team notices feels even slightly off.
What will a day be like for my pet while boarding at Layhill Animal Hospital?
We offer boarding for both dogs and cats. Dogs are housed in runs or cages depending on size, with all the comforts of home that you'd like to bring along (favorite blanket, a familiar toy, your pet's regular food). Cats are kept in a separate and private area with an individual kennel.
A typical day in boarding includes:
- Two structured visits each day from our kennel team for feeding, fresh bedding, medications, walks, and for cats, litter box cleanups.
- Several walks throughout the day for boarded dogs
- Feeding tailored to your pet's needs, using the food and schedule you provide
- Lots of visits, petting, and cuddling from the entire hospital team during business hours.
The hospital is busy throughout the workweek, which means a steady rotation of staff who get to know your pet and look in on them throughout the day. On Saturdays, the team is here during operating hours. Even when the hospital is closed, the kennel team comes in twice a day to feed, medicate, change bedding, and walk every pet staying with us.
Veterinary Oversight for Your Pet’s Boarding
Because your pet is boarded at a veterinary hospital, if a member of our team notices something during the day—a change in appetite, unusual behavior, low energy, hesitation to move—we can take action sooner rather than later. Our team will assess what's going on, decide whether it needs attention or can wait for you, and Dr. Adelman is on call for any emergency while your pet is with us. Layhill’s boarding services are a good fit for:
- Pets on daily medications, where timing and accurate administration matter
- Pets with known health conditions whose owners want the reassurance of a veterinarian nearby
- Senior pets whose families feel better knowing their regular vet is part of the stay
- Pets who've recently been seen at Layhill, where continuity of care is already in place
There is no separate fee for giving your pet their daily medications during a boarding stay.
For pets with complex medical needs that require continuous supervision, feel free to give us a call to discuss their needs. We’re happy to help determine whether our boarding setup is the right fit for your pet. Unfortunately, we cannot board diabetic pets due to state law.
What’s required to board my cat or dog at Layhill?
To keep every pet who stays with us safe, all boarders need to be current on the vaccines that protect against the diseases most likely to spread in a shared environment.
Dog Boarding Requirements:
- Rabies
- DHPP (distemper, hepatitis, parvovirus, parainfluenza)
- Leptospirosis
- Bordetella (kennel cough)
- Canine influenza
Cat Boarding Requirements:
- Rabies
- FVRCP (feline distemper, calicivirus, rhinotracheitis)
If your pet isn't currently on flea and tick prevention, we'll administer it on arrival. If your pet has a special diet, prescription food, or any medications, bring them in their original packaging with written instructions. A boarding form needs to be completed for every visit, even for returning pets, so we have your most current information on hand.
Drop-Off, Pickup, and What to Expect
Drop-off can happen any time during office hours. Plan for a few extra minutes at check-in to go through the boarding form, confirm feeding and medication instructions, and answer any questions from the team.
Pickup before 1:00 PM is included in the boarding rate. Pickups after 1:00 PM are charged for an additional day. If you know in advance you'll need a late pickup, mention it at drop-off so we can plan for it.
Frequently Asked Questions About Boarding at Layhill Animal Hospital
Yes. Dogs and cats are boarded in separate areas.
The same small team of kennel staff cares for the pets who stay with us, visit after visit. They come in twice a day, every day, to feed, medicate, change bedding, and walk every pet. During business hours, the broader hospital team is in and out throughout the day, and Dr. Adelman is on call for anything that needs his attention.
The biggest difference is medical oversight. At Layhill, the kennel team knows each pet well enough to notice changes in appetite, behavior, or output, and they bring concerns directly to Dr. Adelman. Dr. Adelman is on call for emergencies and already knows the medical history of pets he's seen at the hospital before. For pets with chronic conditions, recent surgeries, or daily medications, that built-in oversight is hard to find at a standalone kennel.
No. There's no separate fee for administering oral medications during a boarding stay. You provide the medication and instructions. We follow the schedule. The only medication-related costs are the medications for any new treatment Dr. Adelman recommends if something comes up during the stay.
Dogs need to be current on rabies, DHPP, leptospirosis, Bordetella, and canine influenza. Cats need to be current on rabies and FVRCP. If your pet isn't on flea and tick prevention, we'll administer it at drop-off. If you're not sure whether your pet is up to date, call us at (301) 598-7300, and we can check before your boarding date.
Yes, please do. Familiar things from home help your pet settle in and feel comfortable during their stay. We follow whatever feeding schedule you use at home.
The kennel team brings concerns to Dr. Adelman immediately. He assesses the situation, determines what care is needed, and reaches you to discuss it before starting any new treatment. If we can't reach you and Dr. Adelman feels treatment shouldn't wait, your pet receives the care they need and the cost is added to the bill at pickup.
Boarding rates depend on the size of your pet and the length of stay. Call us at (301) 598-7300 and we'll walk you through pricing before you book.
New clients are welcome at Layhill Animal Hospital. Call (301) 598-7300 or request an appointment online.