Dog Boarding Ames
Find a loving dog sitter to watch your dog overnight at your sitter's home.
Over 705 pet parents in Ames have booked dog boarding
Ames, Find top rated dog boarding
Prices are estimates per night. Pricing may vary based on your search. A booking fee of 11% and taxes will apply.
“Steve & his family did a wonderful job with Ollie. They accommodated all his senior needs and even took him downstairs when the thunder was making him anxious. I would highly recommend their pet sitting!”
“Jenna is a great caregiver! She was very friendly and accommodating. She went out of her way to work with my schedule and was super sweet about it. Luna also seemed quite happy and comfy staying with her.”
“I’m convinced Zion has officially claimed Meagan and her family as more members of his pack. 😂😂 He literally wouldn't leave her side at pickup and politely tucked himself into her hip and a corner of her staircase to avoid being leashed up! I love so much that he is “at home” on his visits to Meagan’s! Couldn't ask for better! 😍🙈”
“Roxy and her family took such good care of our dog Coco! They were easy to communicate with, and they kept us updated on his adventures. They have plenty of space in their fenced in yard. Coco really enjoyed his time with Roxy and her family!”
“Another great stay with Kimberly and Mitchell. While we were on our trip we received pictures everyday to give us peace of mind that everything was going well. Colonel knows their house because he has stayed there a few times and he gets so excited as we pull up to the house. He was a very happy boy when I picked him up and I can tell from his misdemeanor he had a really positive experience there.”
“Namrita is outstanding! I highly recommend Namrita to care for your dog. Archie was very safe and well cared for and taken on walks. Namrita sent many updates and pictures. I will definitely contact Namrita to care for Archie the next time we're in town visiting my ISU student. Thank you for taking such good care of Archie, Namrita!”
“Erin and Chris are amazing with Neumann! I have never trusted anyone as much with him, and I think he was even a little sad to come home with me after his last stay... Can't wait to book with them again!!”
“Absolutely the best sitter I could have found. Spoiled my dog to the point he expects more from home now :). He has separation anxiety and she accommodated his every need and did everything to make him feel just like he is at home, she even let him sleep in her bed with her. I cannot recommend Casandra enough.”
“Absolute best sitter! My dog and cat absolutely love Jen and her family and she is truly a gem of a human being. She is 100% our go-to! Wonderful care and we are so grateful.”
“Lana was the first sitter i’ve ever used on Rover, and it was the first time I ever left my dog. She was absolutely amazing! I got photos and daily updates on what my dog was up to. It was very clear that my dog was in good hands- and got so much love I wasn’t sure she’d even want to come home!”
“Colleen was amazing! She was flexible and responsive throughout the whole process and shared photos during boarding. Most importantly, she was great to our pup! We highly recommend using her if you’re looking to board!”
“Cory has been a fantastic companion dog sitter for us time and time again! He does well with Skip's anxiety and give him great attention and exercise to keep him comfortable when we travel!!”
“Emmy took wonderful care of our dog! She was attentive and made sure our energetic girl got plenty of exercise and stimulation. We received regular updates and photos, and it was apparent in the pictures that our dog felt right at home. We definitely recommend Emmy!”
“We were traveling out of state and needed someone to trust Forest with for the weekend. Wonderful people who took great care of Forest! Would highly recommend to anyone looking for a great Rover.”
“Kim was great with our pup, Maggie. We felt so at ease with her having fun in a great environment while we were away. She clearly knows how to handle dogs of all kinds and her family takes great care. We will definitely use and recommend Kim again!!”
The median cost per night for dog boarding in Ames is $40
Dog parents share their Rover experiences - Ames
Samantha and her brother did a wonderful job taking care of Athena and Nimbus! They provided consistent updates and pictures over the 3 days. This was Nimbus' first time staying with someone else and I couldn't believe how calm she was when we arrive to pick her up! It's clear they did a very good job caring for them as both pups were very content when we arrived. I would highly recommend Samantha to anyone looking for a Rover!
She is by far the most caring, compassionate and inclusive dog sitter I could imagine taking my dog to. Her home is setup for providing dogs a great vacation while their humans are away. She clearly provides a high level of care and treats each furry member like they are at an extension of their home. She even let our 80 lb Rottweiler mix puppy sleep in bed, and he is a big lanky baby of a pup. So grateful to Brooke and Brent
Book with peace of mind
- Screened pet sitters have passed a third-party background check and show verified reviews from other pet parents, like you.
- Every booking is backed by the Rover Guarantee, which includes up to $25,000 reimbursement for eligible vet care. Learn more
- 24/7 support from the Rover team–here to help if you ever need someone to talk to.
Why Choose Rover?
Cashless payments
Book and pay through Rover’s secured platform—no cash or checks required.
Reservation protection
It doesn’t happen often, but if your sitter has to cancel, we’ll work with you to find a new sitter.
World-class support
We’re friendly, knowledgable, and total pet fanatics. You can get in touch with us anytime.
How to book dog boarding
1. Search
Browse profiles of sitters near you who offer dog boarding.
2. Meet In Person
Schedule a free in-person Meet & Greet to find the perfect fit.
3. Book & Pay
It's that easy! All payments are processed through Rover's secured platform.
Popular requests for dog boarding - Ames
Select a filter and find qualifying sitters offering dog boarding.Sitters in Ames average 11 repeat dog boarding clients
FAQs for Dog Boarding - Ames
Frequently asked questions about Rover
The average cost of Dog Boarding in Ames is $39 per night as of November 2026. Most bookings cost between $28 and $50 per night. On Rover, sitters set their own rates based on factors such as their experience, the length of care, the number of pets, and your pet’s specific needs. As long as your booking dates and pet profiles are accurate, the price shown before you confirm is the total, including any booking fee.
As of November 2026, there are 354 sitters on Rover offering Dog Boarding across Ames. Enter your ZIP code to see which available sitters are closest to your home.
If you would like updates while you’re away, you can discuss with your sitter how many or how frequent you’d like those updates to be. The Rover app allows sitters to send photos, videos, and messages about your pet, including how many pee or poop breaks occurred. You can message your sitter at any time through the app and our support team is available 24/7 by email or chat if you have concerns.
The personalized, in-home nature of pet care through Rover can mean more individual attention for your pet.
Every sitter on Rover has their own routine. Depending on the arrangements you agree on before the stay, a sitter can follow your dog’s regular feeding schedule, provide a comfortable place to sleep, offer companionship, and support their usual exercise and play needs.
95% of sitters in Ames can provide daily exercise during dog boarding stays. Depending on the sitter, their home environment, and your dog’s needs, this may include walks, outdoor play, indoor enrichment activities, or supervised play with compatible dogs. These activities are not automatically included with every booking, so ask the sitter what a typical day looks like.
During the Meet & Greet, discuss your dog’s usual exercise and play routine, whether they can safely interact with other dogs, and any activities or restrictions the sitter should follow. You can also ask the sitter to send photo and message updates during the stay so you can see how your dog is spending their time.
Preparing for drop-off is easy when you have a checklist! To help your dog settle into their Ames home-away-from-home, we recommend packing:
- Health and safety essentials such as their ID tags, vaccination records, medication, and emergency vet or secondary caregiver contacts.
- Food and gear such as harnesses, collars, food (portioned by day), and an item that smells like you.
- Special instructions such as a list of training cues, medical administration needs, or favorite hang-out spots in your Ames.
Tip: You can upload your dog’s routine and medical info directly onto their profile so your sitter always has the details at their fingertips.
Yes, you can find sitters who have experience with handling special pet needs in Ames. On Rover:
- 90% of sitters can help with special care needs
- 94% can help with giving oral medications or injections
- 95% can help with daily exercise
You can also find pet sitters on Rover who accept only one pet at a time, which is ideal for anxious puppies, kittens, or senior pets who move at a gentler pace. Some sitters will also list availability for 24/7 care, also known as constant care, in their profiles.
Use the search filters to narrow down sitters whose specific experience or environment meets your pet's needs. When reaching out to your sitter, outline your pet's care routine and use the Meet & Greet to walk your sitter through your expectations.
You and your Ames sitter can schedule drop-off and pick-up in a way that works best for the both of you—and your dog. Most sitters offer flexible times for drop-off and pick-up but the easiest way to confirm those times will be through in-app messaging. Confirm your arrival time the day of pick-up and drop-off can also help keep the process smooth and organized.
The Rover Guarantee is Rover’s commitment to your peace of mind every time you book. It includes 24/7 customer support, sitter access to advice from qualified veterinary professionals for diagnostic issues, and a reimbursement program for eligible veterinary care in the rare event something goes wrong.
All bookings are backed by the Rover Guarantee, which provides up to $25,000 in eligible veterinary care reimbursement.
Every sitter on Rover is required to pass a background check before listing their services. This process confirms their identity and indicates they are not on the Department of Justice’s National Sex Offender Public Website or have any disqualifying offenses.
Beyond ID checks, you can review each sitter's star rating, read verified reviews from other pet parents, and see how many repeat clients they have. Every booking is backed by the Rover Guarantee, which includes up to $25,000 in eligible veterinary care. For more details, visit Rover's Trust & Safety page.
While each sitter sets their own vaccine requirements, staying up-to-date on your dog’s vaccines is the best way to be "boarding ready". Vaccinations help create a safe environment for all pets under a sitter’s care.
Many sitters in IA ask that dogs be up to date on core vaccines like the Canine Parvovirus, Canine Distemper, Canine Adenovirus, Bordetella, and Rabies.
By discussing your pet's health history early, you’re adding a layer of confidence for you and your sitter before the booking begins.
If a health concern arises during a stay, your sitter is instructed to contact you and our Trust & Safety team immediately and, if needed, take your dog to the closest veterinarian. Through our Trust & Safety support team, sitters can ask for diagnostic advice from a qualified veterinary professional if your dog is showing signs of possible illness.
For extra peace of mind, you can also prepare an authorization form for your regular vet. An authorization form outlines your preferred method of care and allows your sitter to bring your pet into their regular clinic.
Every qualified booking made on Rover is backed by the Rover Guarantee, which includes reimbursement for eligible emergency vet care.
Adding another pup to the pack? Most sitters and walkers offer a reduced rate for additional dogs. You’ll find these exact rates listed under the "Services" tab on any sitter's profile. Since every dog is unique, final pricing may vary depending on the level of care required.
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