Dog Boarding Southern Gateway
Find a loving dog sitter to watch your dog overnight at your sitter's home.

Southern Gateway, 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 the second time I have trusted Amber to board my dog for several days. She is a great sitter, Amber sends pictures and notes every day. I would choose her again.”

“Finn and Fiona's stay with Connie was wonderful. She had them for a full week while we were inMexico and she took wonderful care of them. She kept me updated with pictures so I knew they were having a great time. She was also able to meet the unique needs of both of my dogs. Finn who is very high energy got plenty of exercise and socialized with other playful dogs and Fiona had opportunities to lounge and get lots of love and attention from Connie and her family. Both of them were exhausted (in a good way) when they arrived home and I hope to always be able to leave them with Connie when we go out of town. ”

“As always, Audree and her family are the best! This our dog's second home. He gets so excited going over there and we are so thankful for having them. We are at peace knowing he is always in good hands and well taken care of!”

“I am sorry Laurie that I am so late, with this review. Laurie is such a sweet woman. She took such good care of my Lyric. I have only used one pet sitter to keep Lyric since she was 3 months old and I was nervous about taking her to anyone else. Well Laurie treated Lyric like one of her own and Lyric was enjoying herself the entire time. Laurie kept me posted the entire visit with pics, texts and videos. Thank you Laurie for being such a kind soul.”

“Thank you for caring for Coco. Eldeen and family welcomed Coco as she was their own. Coco was loved and spoiled by Eldeen and family. Thank you for caring for Coco during our time in need. ❤️”

“Christie was thoughtful and ensured the safety of all of the pets that were in her care the week we boarded our dog. She did meets and greets with the pets and owners so everyone was comfortable. When we dropped our dog off she was excited to be there and couldn't wait to go in. Our dog enjoyed her time at Christie's. Christie provided videos of the dogs playing.”

“We had such a great experience boarding our dog with Yeny and Ray. They were incredibly caring and attentive from start to finish. Pedro felt right at home — they sent us regular updates, photos, and videos, which gave us peace of mind while we were away. You can tell they genuinely love dogs and treat them like family. When we picked our dog up, he was happy, relaxed, and clearly well cared for. We’ll definitely be booking with them again. Highly recommended for anyone looking for a trustworthy and loving family to care for their dog! 🐾💛”

“Stetson always has so much fun when he stays with Traci! She always keeps me updated and sends a lot of pictures. I never have any worries and know he is well taken care of.”

“Tiffany is truly the BEST! She really is my dog’s second mama. He loves her and gets excited to see her and spend time with her family. She’s very present with her communication and always makes sure I’m in the loop. I get regular photos and videos of my pup which puts my mind at ease. If you are looking for someone 100% trustworthy to look after your fur baby, Tiffany is your person!! I’ve been looking working with her for over 3 years now.”

“Jorge and his family are extremely responsible, attentive, truly loving and caring to my 2 fur babies. Jorge communicates daily with pics and texts about the dogs. The 4 yr old OES GoldenDoodle has incredible time for play and activity. The 14 yr old Yorkie is provided with extra snuggle and cuddle time as he is not a social dog. My dogs are happy and comfortable at their home. Jorge and his family are truly delighted to receive and to care for them. I sooo elated that my fur babies are safe and well taken care of. Thank you and your family for your honorable passion of animals. I highly recommend this awesome family!!”

“A great vacation for my high energy pups! Christopher was very responsive and was awesome at accommodating for my shepards. Lots of space for them to run and play. Would recommend!”

“Lisa was extremely patient and flexible. We scheduled an overnight stay and ended up picking him up late in the evening. She didn't mind at all. He was well entertained and came home pooped from playing with her dogs. It was like he was staying with family, that's how comfortable it was for him and really, us too. Lisa sent pictures of our cutie relaxing and that made me feel so much more comfortable. Highly recommend giving Lisa a try!”

“Heather is so wonderful, kind, and professional! It’s clear she is very knowledgeable about dogs and cares for them like they are her own. On top of that, she is an excellent communicator and her home is so organized and tidy with a yard for the doggie guests to play in! I had no hesitations leaving my corgi with her and definitely plan on doing so again in the future! Thanks again Heather!! :)”
“Megan is absolutely amazing. I never worry for a second if my 2 babies are okay. She is very flexible with her schedule and always there when I need her. My babies always come back home very relax and I can tell they were very much loved. She is very flexible with her schedule and always there when we need her. The best sitter ever!! We will be back soon.”

“We were in a bind since the dog kennel was booked. River app came in handy to find someone to watch our dogs. Aside from watching two mini- doxies for a day and a half, our dogs benefited from being around new people and new environment to help them socialize more. At first I wasn’t sure how they would do in a strangers home but they seemed very entertained and taken care of. Tiffany sent us photo updates as well which was nice to get.”

About: I have been studying and taken care of animals my whole life. My future career is being a vet. I can't wait to meet your pets and you! I'm working a part-time job. I just finished school and I believe this would be a great opportunity for me to having a better understanding animals better for becoming a vet. I have a fence yard, a lot a open space and a big park near my house. Your animals will be safe with me. And will have a lot of fun with me.
“I was worried about leaving my cat with a sitter for over 5 days, but Linaixa put my worries to rest. From the very start, she and her husband were very loving and patient with my cat. Sent me updates on Sweetie every day. I will definitely recommend Linaixa to watch your child.”

“Rosalina and her family were incredibly kind and attentive to my dog. They sent me daily photos of him having a great time with her family. I’m definitely booking with her again! The service was exceptional and I highly recommend her.”

Dog parents share their Rover experiences - Southern Gateway
Jeleesa was welcoming, accommodating and wonderful. She was diligent in asking all about Daisy’s routine, likes, dislikes and whatever she needed to make sure she had a great stay. Sent regular updates and was always helpful. Would definitely utilize her services again.

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 - Southern Gateway
Select a filter and find qualifying sitters offering dog boarding.FAQs for Dog Boarding - Southern Gateway
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 Southern Gateway 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 Southern Gateway.
<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 Southern Gateway 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.







