Dog Boarding Merrimac
Find a loving dog sitter to watch your dog overnight at your sitter's home.
Merrimac, 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.
“This was my first time using Rover and the first time leaving my dog with someone other than my parents. Sydney was very responsive and easy to work with. My dog seemed like she had a great time and was well cared for.”
“Amanda was great. My pets can be a little nervous but they warmed up to her quickly. She sent daily check in’s so I knew they were doing well when I was away. I would definitely book her again.”
“Kurt was so amazing and had great communication!! He let me bring my dog a night early to better accommodate my schedule. He sent pictures and I am very happy with the way he took care of my dog!! Very attentive, nice, and understanding. 10/10”
“Nancye is absolutely amazing! She loved and spoiled our Josey as if he was her own. I loved that we had the opportunity to have a meet and greet before we took our trip. She took him on walks. He loves car rides and she took him to get ice cream with her getting him a pup cup. It was our 1st time leaving him with someone new and she sent us pictures and updated all along the way. Nancye has such a love for fur babies and it shows. Would definitely recommend her.”
“Holly provided a great stay for Forest while I was as in town for a work event. She treated him like one of her own. He spent long days with Holly sunrise to sundown, ate his meals together w her dogs and came home warn out from all the fun. Her backyard provided all the sniffs for Forest!”
“Courtney & Kam were amazing! We had a super informative meet and greet in the beginning. They had my boy over Christmas and I got pictures every day. I could tell how happy he was there. When I picked him up, he was super happy to see me, but I could also tell he was kind of sad to leave them. They went on many hiking adventures and he came back just as clean. Courtney & Kam were super flexible with the time, especially when I had to extend my trip a couple days early. Overall, I would recommend them. I could tell they loved my pup with all their heart!! They were super professional and very kind. I also saw how well kept and nice their home was.”
“I would definitely recommend Samantha! She was very nice, quick to respond, and was flexible with my drop off and pick up times. This was only the second time boarding my 11 month old puppy. I can tell he was taken care of and had a blast with lots of play time from the frequent photo updates and given the amount of time he slept after picking him up. Thank you Samantha!”
About: I am a stay at home Mom and would love to help other pet owners be at ease knowing their pets are being taken care of while you’re at work or out of town. Being at home allows me to be very flexible with the care you need. My family has both a dog and cat at home, so I’m familiar with the care needed for both. I’ve also cared for an elder dog before needing insulin administered. I am a stay at home mom, so my schedule is very flexible to work with your needs! I’m happy to work with you! I have a large un-fenced yard surrounded by woods; supervised time outside only and on a leash unless you and I both are confident in obedience to come when called. I have a small dog at home who prefers a cuddle buddy over a play mate, but she is friendly with most dogs and loves cats! In the event I leave home I prefer crating until I get to know your pup.
“Amazing sitter, took great care of my old dog Prince and kept a close eye on him. He has seizures and had one at Claire's home, I was very relieved to know he was in good care and she kept me updated throughout the weekend. Couldn't recommend her enough!”
About: I’ve taken care of my own dog since high school! I trained him myself, as well as had full responsibility over all his walks, food and medical needs. Beyond my own house dog, I cared for animals in a shelter in Key West for many years with my mom and learned how to calm and soothe big or stressed dogs. I’m right now a full time student, however most of my evenings are free. I love using my free time to go on hikes with my dog, Gavin and would love to bring yours along. Additionally I love being a morning person I also wouldn’t mind waking up early in order to care for pets. Every time I’ve had a dog, we would allow them to go into the fenced backyard alone. Much of my experience with animals is formed on a trust bond in which they ‘recognize’ that I’m their main care taker and I can occasionally allow them in the front yard without leash. However for someone else’s dog I would always put the leash on before opening the doors, and monitor potty time even if the backyard is fenced in case they dig.
“Susan and Ken gave our dog the best care that he has received from any sitter in the Roanoke/Blacksburg area, including in-home sitters. We received lots of updates during the care period and our dog was returned happy and tired. We will definitely look to these folks for our boarding needs in the future.”
About: I’ve helped my mom pet sit her German shepherd for a year and I handled it well. I learned how to feed him properly and took care of him responsibly. I will be mostly available in the afternoon. Once school start, I will be mostly available during the weekends. Feel free to check with me on availability otherwise. I make sure to walk my dog at least three times a day and feed him the right amount of food at least two times a day. I will make sure to respect others when taking him outside and stop any improper behavior in time. I regularly buy him treats and toys.
About: Growing up with large breeds (Bernese Mountain Dog & German Shepard), I’ve always been a lover of all pets, especially dogs. Since relocating to Blacksburg area for work 8 years ago, I’ve pet sat for a variety of animals in the region, ranging from puppies to senior dogs with specific medical needs. It would be an honor to meet and care for your pets! I work full time at VT with some remote days per week, so it can be a flexible schedule. I am happy to adjust schedules or remote days to meet your pets needs! I don’t have any pets in my current home, so I’m flexible to either board at my townhouse or stay at the pets home! I offer both options to all families and willing to drive up to an hour distance.
“Abby did an outstanding job watching my dog, Annie. I really appreciated her updates throughout the time she took care of Annie. I would recommend her services to anyone!”
About: I have tons of experience because of living abroad on American compounds where people are always travelling, they always come to me to take care of the little guys! I’m a junior at Virginia Tech double majoring in Cybersecurity Management & Analytics and Management Consulting & Analytics. My schedule is pretty flexible throughout the week, giving me plenty of time to focus on pet care. I’m available for boarding, overnight stays, walks, playtime, and drop-in visits, and can easily work around your pet’s normal routine. I’m also available on game days, weekends, and during school breaks. I always prioritize each pet’s comfort and safety, whether I’m in my home or the client’s. I have experience handling large, untrained dogs and know how to stay calm and in control. I also use positive reinforcement techniques to encourage good behavior. For senior dogs or shy pets who need extra patience and care, I take things slow and make sure they feel safe and supported. I always follow any instructions you leave to make sure your pet feels at home, happy, and secure.
“Sidney took wonderful care of Scout! She was attentive, kept us updated, and sent pictures throughout his stay, which we really appreciated. We felt comfortable knowing Scout was in good hands and well cared for. We would happily recommend Sidney to anyone looking for a caring and reliable pet sitter!”
“Kennedy was extremely kind. Our dog Remi can be nervous and she quickly came around to Kennedy. Kennedy provided daily updates and was quick to respond. She was very flexible of our travel times and understanding. We look forward to having Kennedy watch Remi again”
“Deann was great with communication and sending us updates, and she took care of our dogs very nicely. Dropping them off and picking them up was a breeze, would gladly use her service again. Thanks so much!”
“Candace boarded our Cane Corso 7/11- 7/12. She was so gracious to take him at the last minute even though it was her birthday and she had plans. It was our first time boarding him so my husband and I were anxious and Candace was wonderful, she didn’t mind me calling several times to check on Boss. We will definitely use her services again. Thank you Candace you were wonderful.”
“Elise was absolutely amazing! Our pup didn’t want to leave! Elisa had great communication and even cooked eggs for him when he wouldn’t eat. Our pup got along great with Lennie too, I got so many pics of them playing! I highly recommend Elise and we will definitely be using her services again!”
Dog parents share their Rover experiences - Merrimac
Our 5 year old spaniel has stayed/boarded overnight with Nancy multiple times over the last several years! Upon our recent arrival to her home for a 'drop off ', our dog bounded over, tail wagging, to greet Nancy and her dog DeeDee; she was clearly happy and excited to be there! I have complete trust and confidence in Nancy, and know that she gives our dog a safe, loving, and fun 'home away from home' in our absence!
Holly provided a great stay for Forest while I was as in town for a work event. She treated him like one of her own. He spent long days with Holly sunrise to sundown, ate his meals together w her dogs and came home warn out from all the fun. Her backyard provided all the sniffs for Forest!
Courtney & Kameron were great hosts for Ollie! I received so many updates and photos throughout his stay. I could tell Ollie felt right at home with the both of them and know he got a lot of love. I visited from out of town for a VT game and will definitely use them again in the future. I highly recommend them for your fur babies 🐾
Rover matched us with Ruth & we went with the suggestion.Everything went great. My dog has severe separation anxiety, so boarding him has always left me feeling guilty. Ruth stepped right in, and during his stay, she assured me everything was fine, She regularly texted pics to prove he was happy and relaxed. Looking forward to trusting Ruth for any future boarding
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 - Merrimac
Select a filter and find qualifying sitters offering dog boarding.FAQs for Dog Boarding - Merrimac
Frequently asked questions about Rover
Rover is the largest marketplace for local pet care. Whether you're looking for pet sitters, dog walkers, or house sitters who specialize in pet sitting, you can narrow your search by entering your ZIP code to find sitters within walking distance in your neighborhood.
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.
Depending on the sitter, their home environment, and your dog’s needs, daily exercise 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 Merrimac home-away-from-home, 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 Merrimac.
<b>Tip:</b> You can upload your dog’s routine and medical info directly onto their profile so your sitter always has the details at their fingertips.
You and your Merrimac 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 , 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 .
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 VA 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.
Connect anywhere with the Rover app
