The prospect of leaving your beloved pet behind when you travel can be a source of significant stress. You want to ensure they receive not just basic care, but genuine affection, a stimulating environment, and, most importantly, an unwavering commitment to their safety and well-being. At Noah’s Ark Veterinary & Boarding Resort in Millersville, MD, we understand this deeply. We’ve meticulously designed our pet boarding services to be a true “home away from home”—a resort-like experience where your dog or cat will feel secure, engaged, and lovingly cared for, all under the watchful eye of trained professionals.
Located at 8074 Veterans Hwy, Millersville, MD 21108, Noah’s Ark is more than just a kennel; it’s a comprehensive haven dedicated to the happiness and health of your furry family members while you’re away.
Why Professional Pet Boarding is an Investment in Your Pet’s Well-being (and Your Peace of Mind)
While the familiarity of home seems ideal, leaving pets with friends, family, or even sometimes an in-home sitter can introduce variables that a professional boarding facility is specifically designed to mitigate. Choosing a dedicated dog boarding or cat boarding facility like Noah’s Ark offers profound benefits:
- Unwavering Safety and Security: Our facility is built with your pet’s safety as the paramount concern. This includes secure, escape-proof enclosures, double-gated entryways, 24/7 monitoring systems (where applicable), and robust protocols for everything from playtime supervision to emergency preparedness (fire, power outages). This level of security is often difficult to replicate in a home environment.
- Consistent Routine & Reduced Stress: Pets thrive on predictability. We maintain a consistent daily schedule for feeding, exercise, potty breaks, and rest periods. This routine helps minimize the stress that can come with a change in environment, unlike the potential disruptions of an unfamiliar sitter or an empty house.
- Expert Oversight & Health Monitoring: Our staff are not just animal lovers; they are trained professionals skilled in pet first aid, recognizing subtle signs of illness or distress, and understanding animal behavior. This keen observation means potential health issues can be identified and addressed far more quickly than might occur with a less experienced caregiver.
- Enrichment (Tailored to Your Pet): Supervised play sessions (with a tech and your furry friend) offer fantastic mental and physical stimulation. For pets who prefer human company or quieter activities, we provide individual attention, gentle walks, and enrichment activities to prevent boredom and anxiety.
- The Invaluable Advantage of On-Site Veterinary Care: This is where Noah’s Ark truly excels. Knowing that skilled veterinarians and veterinary technicians are immediately available provides unparalleled peace of mind. Whether it’s a minor upset stomach, an unexpected allergic reaction, or a flare-up of a pre-existing condition, immediate medical attention is just steps away.
- Freedom from Imposition: You can fully enjoy your travels without the underlying worry of imposing on friends or family, or the concern that your pet might not be receiving the dedicated attention they deserve.
The Noah’s Ark Difference: A True Resort Experience with Veterinary Assurance
When we say “resort” at Noah’s Ark Veterinary & Boarding Resort, we mean it. We go above and beyond basic kenneling to ensure every aspect of your pet’s stay is comfortable, engaging, and tailored to their individual needs. Here’s how our pet boarding in Millersville, MD, stands out:
- Luxurious & Comfortable Accommodations:
- For Dogs: Choose from spacious individual canine cabins, kennel runs or upgraded private suites, many featuring comfortable, elevated bedding. Our entire facility is climate-controlled for year-round comfort. Soothing music often plays to create a calm atmosphere.
- For Cats: Our feline guests enjoy a serene, dog-free cattery with multi-level condos that offer space for climbing, resting, and observing. Condos include comfort cubes and cozy bedding.
- The Gold Standard: Veterinary Supervision: This isn’t just a promise; it’s our core advantage. Our veterinary team is integrated into our boarding operations. This means:
- Proactive Health Checks: Our staff are trained to observe and report any concerns to our veterinarians.
- Expert Medication Administration: If your pet requires medication (oral, topical, or inhalants), our trained staff will administer it precisely as prescribed. This is crucial for pets with heart conditions, or other chronic illnesses.
- Immediate Response: In the rare event of an emergency or sudden illness, your pet has instant access to professional medical care, potentially saving critical time.
- Highly Trained and Passionate Staff: Our team members are selected for their genuine love of animals and their commitment to providing exceptional care. They undergo regular training in animal handling, behavior recognition, hygiene protocols, and emergency procedures. They are dedicated to giving each pet individual attention, cuddles, and reassurance.
- Personalized Care Plans: We understand that no two pets are alike. We take the time to learn about your pet’s personality, preferences, anxieties, dietary needs, and activity levels.
- Commitment to Hygiene and Health: We adhere to rigorous cleaning and disinfection protocols using pet-safe products to maintain a healthy environment and prevent the spread of illness. Separate ventilation systems for dog and cat areas further enhance biosecurity.
- Engaging Play and Enrichment Programs:
- For Dogs: Multiple daily leash walks in our secure outdoor areas, supervised group play sessions in our expansive play yards (with temperament testing for safety), or individual playtime with staff for those who prefer one-on-one interaction. We offer various toys and activities to keep them mentally stimulated.
- For Cats: Individual attention, playtime with interactive toys (like feather wands or laser pointers), and in-condo enrichment to satisfy their natural instincts.
Preparing Your Pet for a Seamless and Happy Boarding Stay at Noah’s Ark
A little planning can make a significant difference in how smoothly your pet transitions to their boarding stay:
- Ensure Vaccinations are Current: For the protection of all our animal guests, we have strict vaccination requirements. For dogs, this typically includes Rabies, Distemper/Parvo (DHPP/DAPP), and Bordetella. For cats, Rabies and FVRCP are usually required. Please confirm our specific requirements well in advance of your booking.
- Pre-Boarding Trial (Highly Recommended): If your pet is new to boarding or prone to anxiety, consider a short trial stay. This allows them to become familiar with our environment and staff in a less overwhelming way.
- Share Detailed Information: Provide us with comprehensive notes about your pet: their feeding schedule and amounts, any allergies or sensitivities, medications (with clear instructions/proscribed bottle), fears or anxieties (e.g., thunderstorms, separation anxiety), favorite activities, and any behavioral quirks. The more we know, the better we can care for them.
- Pack Familiar Comforts: Bringing your pet’s regular food helps prevent digestive upset. Old t-shirt with your scent can provide significant comfort and a sense of security in a new environment.
- Maintain a Calm Demeanor During Drop-Off: Pets are highly attuned to our emotions. If you’re anxious or emotional during drop-off, your pet may pick up on it. Keep goodbyes brief, positive, and reassuring. Trust that they are in capable and loving hands.
- Update Emergency Contacts: Ensure we have your current contact information and at least one or two local emergency contacts who can make decisions on your behalf if you are unreachable.
Addressing Pet Anxiety and Special Needs with Extra Care
We recognize that some pets require additional support:
- Anxious Pets: We can implement strategies like placing them in quieter areas of the kennel, using calming pheromone diffusers (e.g., Adaptil or Feliway), providing extra one-on-one cuddle time, or following specific anxiety-reducing protocols you use at home.
- Senior Pets: Older pets often benefit from softer bedding, more frequent potty breaks, and gentle handling. Our veterinary oversight is especially beneficial for monitoring their comfort and health.
- Pets with Medical Conditions: Our ability to expertly administer medications, monitor specific symptoms, and provide immediate veterinary intervention makes Noah’s Ark an ideal choice for boarding pets with ongoing health needs.
The Unrivaled Advantage of a Combined Veterinary and Boarding Resort
Imagine this: while you’re away, your pet develops an upset stomach, a minor skin irritation, or a pre-existing condition flares up. At a facility without on-site veterinary care, this could mean a stressful transport to an unfamiliar vet clinic. At Noah’s Ark:
- Our trained boarding staff can identify the issue.
- Our on-site veterinary team can perform an immediate examination.
- If needed, diagnostics can be run and treatment initiated seamlessly, often with a quick call to you for authorization.
- If your pet is already a veterinary patient at Noah’s Ark, we have immediate access to their full medical history, ensuring continuity of care.
This integrated approach provides a level of security and responsiveness that is simply unmatched.
Your Premier Choice for Pet Boarding in Millersville, MD
When you entrust your cherished companion to Noah’s Ark Veterinary & Boarding Resort, you’re choosing more than just a place for them to stay. You’re selecting a team of dedicated professionals who are committed to providing a safe, stimulating, and loving environment, backed by the comprehensive medical expertise of a full-service veterinary hospital. We understand the deep bond you share with your pet, and we treat every guest as if they were our own.
Allow your pet to enjoy their own “ark-venture” while you travel with complete peace of mind.
Noah’s Ark Veterinary & Boarding Resort 8074 Veterans Hwy Millersville, MD 21108 (410) 969-0100