Dog Boarding in Philadelphia
Find a loving dog sitter to watch your dog overnight at your sitter's home.
Dave recently booked dog boarding with Taryn in Philadelphia
Taryn was a fantastic sitter for Zinnia. She kept in constant contact and clearly enjoys watching dogs. Zinnia will be back soon!
Every sitter on Rover has passed a background check
What is dog boarding with Rover?
Dog boarding with Rover is an alternative to traditional overnight dog care in a kennel. Rover allows you to search thousands of local five star dog sitters who provide overnight dog boarding in their homes. Now instead of dog boarding in a kennel you can give your pup the personal attention it deserves from a background checked dog sitter.
Features pet owners love about dog boarding on Rover
High quality pet care
Rover has the largest network of five star sitters providing dog boarding services. Rover sitters are background checked and reviews help give confidence that sitters are trusted by other dog owners. Enjoy the peace of mind that your sitter will treat your dog like their own during your dog boarding stay.Communication is just a touch or call away
During your dog boarding stay you can keep in contact with your sitter via the Rover App, text message, email, or a phone call with your sitter.Photo updates during your dog boarding stay
Rover sitters love to take photos of your dog during their dog boarding stay. Enjoy getting updates of your dog enjoying their stay while you are away. If you receive 5 or more photo updates during your dog boarding stay we will put together a slideshow with the highlights of your dog’s stay.Unmatched support
Every dog boarding stay booked on Rover is covered by 24/7 customer support, the Rover Guarantee and Reservation Protection.FAQ
Where will your dog stay during their visit?
Rover sitters provide dog boarding in houses, apartments, townhomes, condos, and more. Instead of your dog being stuck in a small kennel, like traditional dog boarding, they can enjoy the comfort of staying in a sitter’s home. If your dog enjoys going outside you can find a sitter with a yard or access to local parks where they can take your dog for a walk. To learn more about the amenities dog boarding sitters offer, check their profile page or contact them directly.
Is Rover dog boarding right for my dog?
Rover provides dog boarding to dogs of all sizes, ages, and needs. This includes puppies, older dogs, disabled dogs, dogs that require medication, dogs with separation anxiety, and more. If your dog has special needs that you want to ensure your dog boarding sitter offers, check their profile page or contact them directly.
Preview local sitters providing dog boarding in Philadelphia
We make it simple to find the perfect dog sitter for you
See what owners are saying about dog boarding in Philadelphia
Philadelphia dog sitters were rated 5 out of 5 stars from 4,000+ reviews
Aarthi's review on Sep 03, 2019
Kelly was absolutely wonderful! She sent so many pictures and it was clear that my puppy had a great time. I will definitely have her babysit again!
David's review on Aug 29, 2019
James and Grace were fantastic dog parents for a few days! I received regular updates and photos and could tell that my pup was having a great time!
They were very flexible with timing and responded very promptly. Look no further - you've found a great doggie care team!
Aeen's review on Aug 27, 2019
Jen was a wonderful dog sitter. She sent us frequent updates and cute pictures of our pup, Max. She went above and beyond to make his stay comfortable. We had such a great experience that we've already booked her for our next trip. Highly recommend.
Lisa's review on Aug 13, 2019
Sabrina was awesome! My pup was very well taken care of and was super calm and happy when we picked her. Sabrina was great about communicating any questions and updates. I’d recommend her for anyone. She’s great!
Lindsay's review on Aug 10, 2019
AMAZING! Matt and Tyson are wonderful! He watch my maltipoo Winston for a week while I was away. He sent updates and photos
Amanda's review on Jul 22, 2019
I had an unexpected event come up after work and Katie was able to let my little Lucy out for me! She was very responsive and updated me on how my little one did! Will definitely be looking to use Katie in the future!!
Morgan's review on Jul 22, 2019
Becky and Travis showed Mac a great time and sent us loads of fantastic pics. Would highly recommend them to sit your dog !
Matthew's review on Jul 21, 2019
Lauryn & Hunter were awesome. They send lots of picture updates, were responsive, and spent a lot of time with our Roscoe. Really appreciate how much they treated him with love and enjoyed his quirkiness. Thanks guys, you rock!
Top Dog Parks in Philadelphia
Fairmount Park is the first and largest municipal park in Philadelphia. At 2,050 acres, it boasts 50 miles of trails, 43 sculptures, and two performing arts centers. It is also home to America’s first zoo, the Philadelphia Zoo. The park has some excellent places to visit, like the Smith Memorial Playground and Playhouse, Shofuso Japanese House, and the Please Touch Museum. If you are out for a walk with your pup, head up to the Belmont Plateau for amazing views of Philadelphia’s skyline. You can also see over a dozen historic mansions throughout the park, including Mount Pleasant, Cedar Grove Mansion, and Belmont Mansion. One of the most popular places to get married in Philadelphia is the Horticultural Center.
Wissahickon Valley Park is 1,800 wooded acres, with over 50 miles of hiking trails and paths along the Wissahickon Creek to take your dog out on an adventure. Forbidden Drive, a wide, pedestrian-only road, runs alongside the creek and crosses with the trails at some parts, making it an easy path for hikers of any ability. Fishermen can try to catch some trout in the creek, and bird watchers can spot birds in the Houston or Andorra meadows. Horseback riding is also allowed, and you can take lessons from the three public stables nearby: Courtesy Stable, Monastery Stables, or the Northwestern Equestrian Facility.
Known as “America’s Most Historic Square Mile,” Independence Mall covers three blocks, nestled between Independence Hall and the National Constitution Center. Independence Mall is the best park in Philadelphia for relaxing on the grassy lawn while taking in an awe-striking number of cultural institutions: Independence Hall, the National Constitution Center, the Liberty Bell Center, and National Museum of American Jewish History. Many of the institutions in the area are run by the National Park Service, and offer excellent tours and activities. The Mall is the location for many special events throughout the year, including Opera on the Mall, POPS! on Independence, and Wawa Hoagie Day. With so much to do, you can leave your dog with a trusted Philadelphia dog sitter or boarder, then head out and make a day of it!
The Schuylkill River Trail is built across five counties, and when complete, will span over 130 miles. Schuylkill Banks Park is eight miles of riverfront trails winding through downtown Philadelphia. The park has fishing, kayaking, and boating available in the Schuylkill River, and you can even take cruises and kayak tours to view the many historic sites of Philadelphia from a unique vantage point. In 2015, the park was honored as the best urban trail in the country. You can take your pooch out for a walk while admiring the city skyline or enjoy one of the city’s cutest dog parks, Schuylkill River Dog Park. In the summer, there are outdoor movie showings.
Philadelphia's Bark Score
How Philadelphia got their Bark Score
We love crunching numbers almost as much as we love caring for dogs, which is why we came up with the Bark Score. It's all about how dog-friendly a city is, and is determined using census statistics, local business information, and our own data. Philadelphia received a 53 out of 100 in vet availability, which includes the number of emergency veterinarians, regular vets, specialists, and the average premium for pet insurance in the area. For pet services—like groomers available, number of dog trainers, and count of Rover sitters—this city earned a 76. For the parks and fun category, Philadelphia received a 73 for its number of dog parks, sunny days, and dog-friendly restaurants and hotels. And last but not least, for quality of dog life which includes overall dog population, average yard size, and number of dog-friendly property rentals, this city earned a 65.
Top Dog Neighborhoods in Philadelphia
Center City
Center City is the central business and historic center of downtown Philadelphia. It is the location for Philadelphia’s tallest buildings, including Philadelphia’s City Hall, as well as Comcast Center, and One Liberty Place. The famous LOVE park near city hall is home to the iconic “LOVE” statue by Robert Indiana, located there since 1976. There are many historic neighborhoods in Center City, such as Old City and Society Hill. The Independence Mall is is the centerpiece, with its historical institutions surrounding a grassy lawn. In addition to the Philadelphia Museum of Art, African American Museum, and the Barnes Foundation, you can find many other art, history, and science museums in Center City. For theater or music, make sure to check out the Kimmel Center, the Academy of Music, or the Wilma Theater.
Germantown-Chestnut Hill
The Germantown-Chestnut Hill neighborhood is about seven miles northwest of the center of the city. Germantown is particularly rich in historic heritage. During the late 18th century, it was an ideal location for summer vacation homes, since its higher elevations compared to Center City meant cooler temperatures. It was originally founded by German Quaker and Mennonite families, and became an official part of Philadelphia in 1854. Germantown is now home to many parks, like the 55-acre Awbury Arboretum and Hansberry Garden and Nature Center, a community garden. When you are ready for some food, check out Osaka Restaurant for Japanese, twinkly Tavern on the Hill, or the richly atmospheric Paris Bistro & Jazz Cafe.
South Philadelphia
South Philadelphia, nicknamed “South Philly,” began as a satellite town to Philadelphia, made up of small townships. It borders Center City and is home to a large immigrant population that grew throughout the 19th and 20th centuries. Two of Philly’s famous cheesesteak restaurants are here: Geno’s Steaks and Pat’s King of Steaks. There is also an open-air Italian Market with fresh produce and meats. South Philadelphia may be best known for being featured in the film Rocky and its sequels, and it’s also home to sports venues like the 2300 Arena for boxing and professional wrestling, and the South Philadelphia Sports Complex, the arena for the Phillies, Eagles, 76ers, and Flyers.
West Philadelphia
West Philadelphia is a diverse neighborhood with many row houses, made famous by the Fresh Prince of Bel Air theme song. Separated from Center City by the Schuylkill River, it is home to the University of Pennsylvania, Drexel University, and the University of Sciences, all of which offer areas for Philadelphia dog sitters to give their furry charges some exercise. In an area of the neighborhood called University City. Woodlands Cemetery is an interesting place to visit, built on the estate of Andrew Hamilton and transformed in 1840. The Please Touch Museum, Philadelphia Zoo, and the Mann Music Center are all part of the area’s Centennial District, with plans to revitalize it by 2026.
Why do dog owners love Philadelphia?
Philadelphia is the largest city in Pennsylvania, and the sixth-most populous city in the United States. Founded in 1682 by William Penn, an English Quaker, Philadelphia is perhaps best known for its role during and immediately after the Revolutionary War. Its historic buildings, many of which you can tour, are where key events occurred, such as signing of both the Declaration of Independence at the Second Continental Congress, and the Constitution at the Philadelphia Convention. After the war, it served as a temporary capital for the burgeoning country. It grew in the 19th century as a major industrial and railway center. Nowadays, Philadelphia is still an important economic area, but is also known for having more outdoor sculptures and murals than any other American City. It is well worth visiting to check out its art, culture, and colonial history. If you are interested in Philadelphia history, the best place to visit is Center City, with its beautiful skyline, parks, and historic buildings. You can take your dog and walk around some of the best landmarks, like the University of Pennsylvania campus, Independence Hall, the Liberty Bell, Rittenhouse Square, or the Philadelphia Museum of Art. The National Park Service runs most of the sites, so if you get a Philadelphia dog sitter for the day, you can take guided tours through the Constitution Center, National Museum of American Jewish History, or take in a performance at the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts. Eastern State Penitentiary, meanwhile, offers an eerie tour of an historic prison. And to get a bird’s eye view of the city, go to the One Liberty Observation Deck. Or for a view of the city’s skyline, you can take a boat tour. Philadelphia’s residents love their dogs, and there are many restaurants where you can bring your pup to enjoy some relaxation and drinks or food. In University City, you can go to the White Dog Cafe, which has water bowls for your dog. And after you take your pooch to the Schuylkill River Dog Run, Good Karma Cafe dogs welcome in the patio and inside while you order. The Metropolitan Bakery has dog bone-shaped treats made of healthy ingredients, and Rouge, the first restaurant in Philadelphia with sidewalk seating, offers water and treats to pups while owners enjoy dinner. There are plenty of dog parks, but those are not the only fun places you can take your dog to. Free and Friendly Tours welcomes pups while you tour through Philadelphia on a Colonial Cheesesteak Tour. For a cool outing for picture taking, go to Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens, home to the artist Isaiah Zagar’s largest piece. Note: Experienced Philadelphia dog boarders and sitters know that a visit here is only good for dogs who don’t mind narrow spaces.
