Dog Boarding Merna
Find a loving dog sitter to watch your dog overnight at your sitter's home.
Merna, 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.
“Melanie is so kind and super attentive to Javi! He adores her. Melanie sent lots of pics and updates-which I very much appreciated! Hope Javi can stay with Melanie in near future!!”
“Amber took care of my puppies for two weeks. And she did a great job in caring for them. My dogs enjoy the companion of Amber’s dog too. She kept update me time to time, sent pictures of them (since I was in overseas and had a hard time to have a video call with my pups due to time differences). I will definitely use her service again in the future.”
“Our dogs first experience with someone other than family. We are so grateful for the care she received, the chance to be with another human and her dog, and the pictures we were sent. Very reassuring to us and to our pup.”
About: Not only have I had pets my entire life, but I've helped care for friend's and family's pets, too. I worked in a doggie daycare for a bit, so I have experience with a variety of breeds, sizes, and ages. I'm currently staying home with my kids, so my availability is open throughout the day to help care for your fur babies with check-ins and walks. I'm comfortable letting animals out into fenced yards or on leash as needed for potty breaks. I can help cleanup accidents inside or scoop liter during visits. I'm happy to help supervise playtime, feedings, or general activity during visits. I'm comfortable crating dogs when leaving, if needed. Whatever instructions you provide, I can execute and ensure your pet is well cared for!
“Our two dogs stayed with Amy and family including their puppy Wooster. Our dogs enjoyed their time and came home well loved. We did a meet and greet before hand and Amy provided updates throughout our trip. It seems the dogs enjoyed their vacation as much as we did!”
About: Hello! I’m Emma! I am a student at ISU. I love all animals and have a cat named Danny. I have worked as a veterinary assistant and have had both cats and dogs my whole life. I am new to Rover and pet sitting, but have more than enough experience with all animals from small critters to farm animals. I am a current student at ISU, so my schedule is fairly flexible. I am also usually around on weekends to stop by for a walk, feeding, or some quick play time. I am comfortable administering medication, feeding, and will love and respect your pet. I have had several animals with health issues whether it be FIV, paralysis, or whatever else and I want to make sure you’re comfortable having a sitter that understands the potential need for extra care!
About: I have taken care of animals for a while and even worked on a farm! All of your friends will be safe and cared for in my home. I am available for boarding pretty much any days of the week and I am perfectly okay with last minute bookings and cancellations if needed! I understand how life can get! I work only 4 min from my job and have flexibility to step in and out. I also have an indoor camera to keep an eye when I am away.
“Nathan, Jacqueline and their children, along with their "pup" Charlie, were the most welcoming hosts we could have hoped for! Our Levi and Junior are admittedly on the higher-maintainence side and their family took it all in stride. We met with them prior to committing to the hosting in order to make sure the dogs were compatible and to discuss Levi and Jr's needs. It was a very comfortable and easy meeting. We left the initial meeting feeling very comfortable. When the time came to leave our fur babies, Nathan reassured us our pups would be fine. While we were away, we received daily updates with pictures that showed our pups were doing fine and having fun ! The kids took them for walks, and Jr found a new friend in their pup Charlie. When we came to pick them up, they were healthy and happy. It was wonderful to be able to go on vacation knowing Levi and Jr were in good hands. We would definitely recommend Nathan and Jacqueline and their family to host the dogs of friends and family without reservation! If we need to leave our pups again, we would would not hesitate to leave them with Nathan and Jacqueline (if they would agree, if course)! THANK YOU, E. FAMILY, for your wonderful care of Levi and Junior!”
“My pup seemed to really enjoy herself at Ava’s. Ava sent some photos of them playing in the yard and my pup tuckered out after. Ava did a great job taking care of her. I would book with Ava again.”
“I knew the moment we met her that we had found our place! My Sam was at home the minute he walked in! Cheyenne is friendly, professional, and very thoughtful! She sent us pictures throughout the day so that we could enjoy seeing our boy have fun!”
The median cost per night for dog boarding in Merna is $40
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 - Merna
Select a filter and find qualifying sitters offering dog boarding.Sitters in Merna average 13 repeat dog boarding clients
FAQs for Dog Boarding - Merna
Frequently asked questions about Rover
As of November 2026, there are 81 sitters on Rover offering Dog Boarding across Merna. 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.
94% of sitters in Merna 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 Merna 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 Merna.
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 Merna. On Rover:
- 90% of sitters can help with special care needs
- 98% can help with giving oral medications or injections
- 94% 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 Merna 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 IL 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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