Doggy Day Care in State Center

About: I have had pets in my life since the day I was born. I got my first cat when I was 3 and have had many more since then. :) Caring for my pets has become something that I have worked on and improved over the years - and I love meeting new pets! I own my own business that is run from my home and a downtown location - just three blocks from my home. :) My husband runs our household and is home or helping me daily. We have a fenced in yard that is big enough for the dogs to run laps - and three other dogs who adapt well to having friends over. :)

About: My pets are indoors AND outside because I have safe, pet friendly, separated or joined, sheltered, natural areas where we can all unwind on my seven acres. I'm a retiree who devotes all my time to my grandkids, animals and hobbies. Your pets' needs are provided for at all times whether they are here for a day, week or month as they are included in our family activities. Pets are kept separated or allowed to play together depending on their needs. I provide crates, mats, kennels and even my bed for peaceful sleeping.

“Kelley did a wonderful job taking care of our 15 year old dog, including mealtime and medicine. Kelly is kind and responsible and we could tell that Adi felt comfortable in her home. 5 out of 5 stars. We highly recommend.”

Dave And Karna B.

“Angela was absolutely amazing. I was very nervous about leaving my dog with someone for the first time but she put my mind at ease. He got plenty of exercise and had so much fun playing with the kids and she made sure to update me throughout the day with photos. Will definitely continue to use her!”

Leah G.

“Samantha is so great to work with! She follows directions perfectly and takes excellent care of all the (3) dogs we’ve had her sit for (doggie day care). She communicates effectively and timely and we never have to worry.”

Kim W.

“They are so lovely! A massive yard for Ace to run in which he definitely needed. Her dogs are so friendly and playful. Her children are also very helpful and respectful in asking if they can give my dog one of their dog toys. Will definitely be coming back!”

Hannah D.

“I'm pretty sure my dog, Frank, is currently petitioning for a legal name change to "Frank of Ames" after his stay with Katrina yesterday. We were in town visiting our daughter at Iowa State and needed a safe, fun place for Frank to stay, and we hit the jackpot. From the moment we dropped him off, Frank was already sizing up his new crew—Katrina's two incredibly friendly dogs—and planning his fun. The photo and video updates she sent were amazing, showing Frank living his absolute best life, running around and making new friends. Seriously, if you ever need photographic evidence that your dog is having a better time than you are, book with Katrina. Frank came home happy, perfectly exhausted, and now gives us serious side-eye every time we suggest a plain old walk instead of a dog playdate at her place. Thank you, Katrina! You made our trip worry-free. Highly, highly recommend!”

jeff t.

“Our dog was happy and relaxed when we picked him up. It seemed like he had a fun afternoon and it was clear that he was well cared for. Thank you Tilaine and family, and extra thanks for working with us on such short notice!”

Rebecca S.

About: I love the energy of animals - particularly the playfulness, affection, and intelligence of dogs. I grew up with cats, dogs, and chickens and have cared for bunnies, sheep, and fish. Chickens, like dogs, stand out because of their unique personalities and the funny hierarchy in a hen house. I’d be happy to offer care to a wide variety of animals as I’m comfortable around all I’ve encountered, but dogs hold a special home in my heart. I’m self-employed and have been running my own online business for nearly 12 years now and I’m very flexible and open to your schedule. I am well-versed in the importance of timely, thorough, and thoughtful responses and attention to detail. I’ll be sure to respond to requests and messages as quickly as possible, and to stay in communication with my customers for the duration of my stay with your pup! When I’m not enjoying the company of animals, you can usually find me writing or cooking. I also love nature walks and any change to watch the sunset. Because I do travel, I can’t have a dog of my own right now, but I’d love to “get my fix” by caring for your furry friend! I can’t wait to meet you! I love starting and ending the day with a walk, and a dog is the perfect companion! My schedule is flexible so I'm more than happy to take their lead and listen to their needs. At this time, I can't host dogs in my home, but I would be delighted to house sit and care for your home and animals while you are away!

About: I’ve taken care of fur babies of all kinds since before I could walk. I grew up with a dog and cat always in tow. I lived in the country, so learned fast that the world can be hard for an animal, thus beginning my rehab ‘career’. As I got older, I pet sat for neighbors and family friends. In my mid 20s I trained as a vet tech, prepping animals for surgery, giving vaccinations, nail trims, etc. Until the ISU Wildlife Clinic closed, I volunteered there, learning more care for wild native animals. I’ve had dogs and cats my entire life, I can’t imagine life without animals. I currently have a senior border collie named Lola, she has arthritis so sometimes she needs help getting around and I’m always willing to help my girl. I also have a senior cat. Currently I’m a doordash/grub hub driver, so I literally am free 24/7 to care for your pets! I will prioritize Rover over delivery, so I can work with any schedule you need. I’m available for repeat needs (several walks a week, drop ins, etc). I live in a duplex with a yard. For me to board a pet, they would need to get along with my dog, and she can honestly be a bit grumpy meeting new dogs, so I feel going to the client’s home would be best. I will respect your home and follow whatever instructions you have for the care of your pets.

“I was visiting town for a work trip and was beyond impressed by the care and communication! My pup Barley is older and just had surgery - it was so wonderful leaving him without worry, knowing he would be extra loved and cared after during the day!”

Caitlin B.

“I was visiting town for a work trip and was beyond impressed by the care and communication! My pup Barley is older and just had surgery - it was so wonderful leaving him without worry, knowing he would be extra loved and cared after during the day!”

Caitlin B.

About: Seasoned dog owner offering full-time pet care you can trust. My passion for animals started early—even before spending summers volunteering at the Ames Animal Shelter as a young girl. Every opportunity to pet sit for family and friends had me thrilled to spend time with animals. I bring 4 years of professional grooming experience, beginning as a dog bather and later graduating from grooming school. I’ve also worked 1.5 years in veterinary medicine at a vet hospital, gaining hands-on experience in animal health and care. 🐶 Services I Offer: • Dog Walking • Doggy Daycare • Boarding • Pet Transportation ✓ Extended stays and special requests welcome ✓ LGBTQ+ friendly 🌈 With over 15 years of dog care experience, I’m confident and comfortable with pups of all sizes and temperaments. I’m experienced in administering oral medication and have cared for diabetic pets as well. In addition to dogs, I also care for cats, reptiles, fish, small animals, and exotics. I worked at a pet store for a year, caring for everything from ferrets and snakes to hamsters, chinchillas, bearded dragons, and tropical fish. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out! I look forward to connecting—and giving your pets my very best. 🫶 I provide pet care full-time, so your pet gets all of my love, attention, and care—day and night. I know how hard it can be to leave your furry family, which is why I go out of my way to make them feel safe, relaxed, and loved while you’re away. I’m available 24/7, and I send regular updates and photos so you can feel at ease knowing they’re in kind, capable hands. I like to do a meet and greet before we book anything. It’s a great chance for your pets to get to know me, for us to go over how a typical day looks at your place, and to talk through anything I should be ready for—so I can make sure your pets get the best care possible. I’ll keep you updated with plenty of pictures and videos—and we can even FaceTime if you’d like! If there’s anything else I can do to make your time away from your pets easier, just let me know.

“Cynthia took great care of our dog, Maizy! She went above and beyond to make sure was Maizy was comfortable and engaged. Maizy can be a picky eater and Cynthia even got her to eat a full meal. She was lovey to communicate with, was very responsive, and sent lots of pictures. We will definitely be dropping our pup off with her again!”

Elice B.

“Angie was so great with our guy! She’s extremely accommodating to schedule changes and was exactly what we needed while back visiting family. If we come back this fall she will be the first one we check for availability!”

Lisa H.

About: I am a homeschool mom. I have had several dogs over the last 26 years from blue heelers, labradors, a lab/dane mix and most recently an Australian Shepherd. I've house-broken and crate trained all my puppies and we also adopted an adult rescue dog and acclimated him to family life. I've taken different obedience courses over the years and most recently am working on Rally Obedience with my aussie. My family, which includes my husband and two teenage daughters love dogs of all sizes and ages. I’ve got a very large fenced in back yard, a fun loving Aussie, and am home most of the time to give your fur baby lots of love and attention. I have recent experience in dog obedience and have house-trained puppies. I love to walk dogs and give them lots of attention. Because I homeschool, most days I am home and able to attend to dog or puppy care. Our two year old Aussie loves to play with other dogs and has earned his CGC-A. Backyard play or leash walking would be part of your pets care. On occasion we may go to a park and our dog often accompanies us. I have a large fenced in yard with lots of shade and green space to run around in. I have crates of various sizes to keep your dog safe and comfortable at night, when we leave for an errand or to retreat to as needed.

About: Hello! I’m a full-time high school teacher who loves animals… but my own dog passed away last year and for some reason I’m just not ready to get a new one. But I love dogs!! So, in the meantime, I am getting my pet love by dog-sitting. I mostly set this up to do over the summer when I was off work and super flexible, but I’ve decided to keep doing it some—with an emphasis on weekends and public holidays when I’m not at work :) I can do some weekdays, but we’d need to chat about it first. I have gotten a lot of satisfaction and enjoyment out of this so far (which is truly why I’m doing this) and plan to continue this until that stops (or until I decide to adopt a new furry friend who might need most of my attention). I grew up with dogs and have had a variety of breeds, shapes, sizes over the decades. I dog-sat during college and during grad school for friends, professors, and a few strangers I connected with on an older website (I feel like it was called care-dot-com for anyone who’s old enough to remember that). As someone who is a “bit” older, I’m reliable and have very little social life!! Perfect for you and your pet! I’m also super motivated to make your dog as happy as I can! I miss that aspect of having a pet—you take care of them and they keep you sane in this crazy world. Update: During the school year, I’m most available on weekends but can of course provide care in the afternoon and evening on a school/week day… just not as much as I can on a weekend or holiday :) I have a wire fenced yard (not a privacy fence). It’s not the biggest but I’ve also had a smaller yard! There are neighboring dogs, as well, so keep that in mind. As mentioned, no dog at the moment. I’m very careful with dogs in terms of behavior. I was raised to understand that the person is responsible for the dog’s behavior. This means paying attention, shortening the lead when needed, helping the dog feel secure, crossing the street, etc.

“Beth is AWESOME!!!!!!! Beth was so welcoming from the start! I had a very unusual need as I was traveling across the state and needing a dog sitter for just a few hours so I could take my wife on a side trip that didn't accommodate dogs and she not only graciously accommodated my plan but she was willing to switch gears at the drop of a hat to change things from one planned time to a different planned time! This is not to say that she should be able and or expected to do this all the time, just that she is awesome and helped make our perfectly special trip become an awesome trip!! And the dogs clearly loved her and felt VERY comfortable with her!!! Thank you Beth!”

Shawn J.

“Sara is great! She keeps you updated throughout the day with videos and photos. She is very easy to work with and awesome with our puppy. Fenced yard and very clean home is obviously a plus. I highly recommend Sara and we’ll be back :)”

Tracey S.

About: Hi! My name is Roxy, and I’m a dependable, compassionate pet sitter who loves caring for animals of all kinds. Whether you’re away for a weekend or an extended trip, I provide loving care to help your pets feel safe, comfortable, and happy in their own environment. I have experience caring for dogs, cats, and other small pets, including feeding, walking, playtime, administering basic medications, and giving plenty of attention and affection. I understand that every pet has their own personality and routine, and I make it a priority to follow your instructions carefully. My services include: • Dog walking and exercise • Feeding and fresh water • Playtime and companionship • Overnight or drop-in visits • Litter box and waste cleanup • Photo and text updates while you’re away I’m trustworthy, patient, and committed to treating your pets like family. Your pet’s safety, comfort, and happiness are always my top priorities. I have used trusted care for my pets and understand how important it is to have someone to help when needed. I have two friendly Australian shepherds and experience with many breeds, sizes and ages. I have grown up with pets my entire life and owned multiple dogs for 20 years. I’d love the opportunity to meet you and your furry family members! I’m currently working a hybrid schedule and am home 2-3 days during the week. I have availability for in home and drop in visits or walks during the weekend as well. I have a fenced in yard with two friendly and fixed dogs to give yours company while away. Open to in home or drop in visits as needed along with walks and needed exercise. I have two children that have been raised around pets that respect them and enjoy playing with them. If your dog prefers a crate we are a crate trained home.