Dog Boarding Merrimac
Find a loving dog sitter to watch your dog overnight at your sitter's home.
Over 86 pet parents in Merrimac have booked dog boarding
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.
“Sydney and her Boyfriend took amazing care of my two pups. I had never left them with anyone before and they made the experience amazing. They communicate well and take great care of your pets. If you’re scared to leave your pet and want a great experience i recommend them!!!”
“Linda and David were great to Winston. Took Winston for walk on trail and also to the dog park. I am very comfortable leaving Winston with them in the future. Great couple.”
“Holy cow, our dog’s experience with Kurt could not have been better! Kurt kept in amazing touch with us and sent photos of his many adventures with our dog. I would definitely have him as my first choice any time we need care. 10/10 WOULD RECOMMEND!”
“Amari was very accommodating for a last minute booking, kept me updated with lots of pictures and reassured me that my dog was doing great! Would definitely book with her again in the future.”
“Kayla was wonderful! She was quick to respond and kept me updated throughout the entire weekend. Cooper loved having new friends to play with and seemed to have such a great time! I felt completely comfortable knowing he was in good hands. We’ll definitely be using her again!”
“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!”
“Ruth was amazing! She was incredibly flexible and so sweet. She made our dog feel right at home while we were away for 5 nights. She sent pictures and kept me informed. We would definitely recommend booking with Ruth!”
“This is our second time and always the best place for our dogs,,, she is such a sweet heart for our dogs and always get update everytime so we love that.. We will always happy to let her baby sit our dogs”
About: Since a young age I have taken care of neighbors, family friends, and my own dogs. I have experience training and certifying my own dog as a therapy dogs as well as training and working with dogs or all ages and energy levels. I am a college student who is home for long periods of time over the winter and summer, so I am able to devote lots of my time over those breaks to pet care! I am a very trust worthy and responsible pet owner and pet carer. I treat animals with respect and believe that all animals are different and require a different approach. Additionally I always know how much peoples pets mean to them so I always treat them and clients homes with the utmost care and respect.
“Copper LOVED his stay with Michelle! Even though our little pups is anxious and high maintenance (we even added in last-minute medication), Michelle took it all in stride and reassured us from the start that everything would be ok. We got daily pictures and updates that showed us Copper was fitting right in with their family routine and enjoying his new friendship with Michelle's dog. It was so reassuring during our travel to know that Copper was not only well-cared for but also happy. I highly recommend Michelle!”
“Katie and her family were very welcoming when we did the meet and greet. It gave us a lot of confidence in leaving our dog with them for a week! She was very communicative and sent us photos. We would definitely use her again!”
“Marah was phenomenal with Leo and sent me picture updates during his stay. Any questions I had she was timely with a response and so friendly! Would 10/10 recommend her and will be using her again in the future!”
“Lawdy was great to work with! She watched our two dogs for almost a full week, after being asked very last minute, and she gave them the love and attention they needed while she had them. We also had our return flight canceled because of the Microsoft crash (July 2024) and we needed to get home, so we rented a car to drive home instead. It took us an unexpected extra day to get home to pick up our fur-babies, and she made it so easy and stress-free. We would definitely recommend Lawdy for your dogs. 💕”
“Erin and Matthew took great care of our boy! They sent a ton of video and picture updates which we enjoyed while on our trip. Remi came home exhausted, which means he must of played his heart out while we were away. We will be booking with them in the future!”
“Abigail went above and beyond in her care for our Lola! I think Lola enjoyed her visit very much, as it felt like Lola was missing Abigail and Cleo the day we brought her home. 🙂 Thank you for such great care!”
“Best dog sitter EVER!!! Rebecca started sending photos of LuLu within minutes of us dropping her off, and she continued sending pictures during the entire pet sit. We could see that LuLu was being well cared for and was getting loads of attention. I don't think Rebecca was able to get anything done for herself because she devoted so much time to LuLu! LuLu gets separation anxiety, but I don't have to worry about that now that I've found Rebecca. LuLu gets to have a vacation at Auntie Rebecca's place while we are having our vacation. We all have fun! Rebecca is responsible and attentive to every detail. She lives in a safe neighborhood and has a fully fenced yard. She never leaves LuLu unattended in the yard, and they spend hours outside every day. She spoiled her with attention, not food, which is important to me. I can't recommend Rebecca highly enough! If she is available when you need a dog sitter, do not hesitate to book with Rebecca.”
“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”
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.
The median cost per night for dog boarding in Merrimac is $40
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.Sitters in Merrimac average 15 repeat dog boarding clients
FAQs for Dog Boarding - Merrimac
Frequently asked questions about Rover
The average cost of Dog Boarding in Merrimac is $41 per night as of November 2026. Most bookings cost between $32 and $49 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 176 sitters on Rover offering Dog Boarding across Merrimac. 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 Merrimac 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 Merrimac 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 Merrimac.
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 Merrimac. On Rover:
- 92% of sitters can help with special care needs
- 94% 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 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 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 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.
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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