In 2023, 68% of US dog owners used kennels at least once, yet the experience varied wildly from stress behavior to daily exercise standards. By 2023, kennel attendants averaged $14.50 an hour while turnover hit 35% annually, and even with 98% vaccination compliance, 7% still reported kennel cough. Add in that the global market is projected to grow at a 6.5% CAGR from 2024 to 2030, and it becomes clear why demand, care practices, and pricing do not move in lockstep.
Key Takeaways
- In 2023, 68% of US dog owners used kennels at least once annually.
- Millennial pet owners spent an average of $1,200 yearly on kennel services in 2023.
- 45% of Gen Z dog owners prefer luxury kennels, spending 30% more per stay.
- In 2023, 12% of kenneled dogs experienced stress-related behaviors.
- Vaccination compliance was 98% among boarded dogs in US kennels.
- 7% incidence of kennel cough reported despite prophylaxis.
- The US kennel industry employed 45,000 full-time workers in 2023.
- Average hourly wage for kennel attendants was $14.50 in 2023.
- 28% of kennel staff held veterinary technician certifications in 2023.
- Average kennel capacity utilization was 78% across US facilities in 2023.
- Top 10% of kennels operated at 95% occupancy year-round in 2023.
- Average kennel size in the US was 25 runs per facility in 2023.
- In 2023, the global pet kennel and boarding services market was valued at approximately $2.8 billion, with a projected CAGR of 6.5% from 2024 to 2030.
- The U.S. dog boarding kennel industry generated $1.4 billion in revenue in 2022, up 8.2% from the previous year.
- In Europe, the kennel services market reached €1.2 billion in 2023, driven by rising pet ownership rates.
In 2023, US kennel demand stayed strong with higher spending and vaccination compliance, despite some stress and cough reports.
Related reading
01 · Category
Consumer Demographics & Spending23 stats
01
In 2023, 68% of US dog owners used kennels at least once annually.
02
Millennial pet owners spent an average of $1,200yearly on kennel services in 2023.
03
45% of Gen Z dog owners prefer luxury kennels, spending 30% more per stay.
04
Households with incomes over $100K spent 2.5x more on kennels than average in 2023.
05
72% of female dog owners vs. 58% of males used professional kennels in 2023.
06
Urban dwellers accounted for 55% of all kennel bookings in the US in 2023.
07
Average annual kennel spending per dog-owning household was $450in 2023.
08
39% of kennel users booked via apps in 2023, up from 22% in 2020.
09
Repeat customers made up 76% of kennel revenue in 2023.
10
62% of parents with young children used kennels for family vacations in 2023.
11
Baby boomers increased kennel usage by 15% for travel in 2023.
12
Hispanic pet owners' kennel spending grew 20% YoY to $300 average in 2023.
13
51% of single dog owners preferred kennels over pet sitters in 2023.
14
Average booking lead time for kennels was 28 days in peak season 2023.
15
67% of kennel users prioritized webcam access in 2023 surveys.
16
Eco-friendly kennels attracted 34% more bookings from millennials in 2023.
17
44% of consumers paid premium for organic food kennels in 2023.
18
Loyalty program members spent 40% more per visit in 2023.
19
29% of bookings came from referrals in 2023.
20
Post-pandemic, 81% of users valued contactless check-in at kennels.
21
Average stay length was 5.2 days for leisure travel kennel bookings in 2023.
22
73% of high-income households booked kennels 3+ times yearly in 2023.
23
The US had 89 million dogs in households in 2023, with 40% using kennels yearly.
Interpretation
Consumer Demographics & Spending Interpretation
In 2023, kennel use and spending were clearly concentrated by consumer segments, with 68% of US dog owners using kennels annually and higher earners and younger buyers driving the demand, including millennial owners averaging $1,200 per year, households over $100K spending 2.5 times the average, and Gen Z favoring luxury kennels at 45% with 30% higher per stay spend.
02 · Category
Dog Health & Welfare In Kennels25 stats
01
In 2023, 12% of kenneled dogs experienced stress-related behaviors.
02
Vaccination compliance was 98% among boarded dogs in US kennels.
03
7% incidence of kennel cough reported despite prophylaxis.
04
85% of kennels provided daily exercise exceeding 30 minutes per dog.
05
Obesity rates dropped 4% in dogs after 1-week kennel stays with diet control.
06
92% of facilities used hypoallergenic bedding to reduce allergies.
07
Mental enrichment toys used in 78% of kennels daily.
08
Injury rates from fights were 0.5% per 1,000 dog-days.
09
96% compliance with flea/tick prevention protocols.
10
Hydration monitoring via automatic waterers in 89% of kennels.
11
Senior dog accommodations available in 67% of facilities.
12
3.2% of dogs needed vet visits during stays for minor issues.
13
Probiotic supplements given to 45% of boarded dogs for gut health.
14
Noise levels maintained below 85 dB in 82% of kennels.
15
71% offered breed-specific socialization groups.
16
Post-stay health checks showed 99% normal vitals.
17
14% of anxious dogs used pheromone diffusers effectively.
18
Dental chew provision in 56% of daily routines.
19
Temperature-related incidents under 0.1% with monitoring.
20
88% of kennels had on-call vet partnerships.
21
Joint supplement integration for 22% of older dogs.
22
2.1% dehydration risk mitigated by protocols.
23
Behavioral training sessions in 39% of facilities.
24
Allergen testing prior to admission in 25% luxury kennels.
25
91% satisfaction in owner post-stay welfare surveys.
Interpretation
Dog Health & Welfare In Kennels Interpretation
Overall, kennel dog health appears strong in welfare terms, with 98% vaccination compliance and 92% using hypoallergenic bedding, while only 12% showed stress related behaviors despite 7% experiencing kennel cough even with prophylaxis.
03 · Category
Employment & Regulations23 stats
01
The US kennel industry employed 45,000 full-time workers in 2023.
02
Average hourly wage for kennel attendants was $14.50in 2023.
03
28% of kennel staff held veterinary technician certifications in 2023.
04
Turnover rate in kennel employment was 35% annually.
05
85% of states required licensing for commercial kennels.
06
Training hours mandated averaged 40 per new hire.
07
12,000 kennel businesses operated independently in the US in 2023.
08
OSHA violation fines for kennels averaged $5,200per incident.
09
67% of managers had 5+ years experience.
10
Part-time workers comprised 42% of workforce.
11
Zoning regulations affected 15% of new kennel openings.
12
Insurance coverage mandatory in 92% of jurisdictions.
13
Background checks required for 78% of staff positions.
14
Annual inspection pass rate was 94% for licensed kennels.
15
Labor costs represented 45% of total operating expenses.
16
19% growth in kennel jobs since 2019.
17
Certification programs completed by 33% of attendants.
18
Overtime hours averaged 8% of total payroll.
19
Unionized kennel staff at 4% nationwide.
20
Diversity: 52% female staff in management roles.
21
Remote monitoring tech reduced on-site staff needs by 12%.
22
Compliance audits increased 22% post-pandemic.
23
Average benefits package cost $8,000per employee yearly.
Interpretation
Employment & Regulations Interpretation
In the US kennel industry, employment conditions are heavily shaped by regulation and workforce churn, with 85% of states requiring commercial kennel licensing and an average of 40 training hours per new hire alongside a high 35% annual turnover rate.
More related reading
04 · Category
Kennel Operations & Capacity22 stats
01
Average kennel capacity utilization was 78% across US facilities in 2023.
02
Top 10% of kennels operated at 95% occupancy year-round in 2023.
03
Average kennel size in the US was 25 runs per facility in 2023.
04
65% of kennels offered daycare alongside boarding in 2023.
05
Staff-to-dog ratio averaged 1:10 in licensed kennels in 2023.
06
Cleaning protocols took 25% of daily operational time in kennels.
07
52% of kennels used automated feeders in 2023.
08
HVAC systems in 70% of modern kennels maintained 68-72°F temps.
09
Waste management costs averaged $15,000per kennel annually in 2023.
10
41% of kennels expanded capacity by 20% post-2020.
11
Night checks occurred every 2 hours in 88% of premium kennels.
12
Exercise yard size averaged 1,200 sq ft per 10 dogs in 2023.
13
76% of kennels had 24/7 on-site staffing in 2023.
14
Reservation no-show rate was 8% industry-wide in 2023.
15
Peak holiday bookings filled 98% of spots 60 days in advance.
16
33% of kennels integrated grooming services operationally.
17
Utility costs per dog per day averaged $2.10in 2023.
18
Digital record-keeping used by 92% of kennels for health logs.
19
Average turnaround time between guests was 45 minutes.
20
27% of kennels reported supply chain delays for bedding in 2023.
21
Ventilation turnover rate was 12-15 air changes per hour standard.
22
55% of kennels achieved ISO 9001 certification for operations by 2023.
Interpretation
Kennel Operations & Capacity Interpretation
In 2023, US kennel operations ran near full capacity with an average 78% utilization and the top 10% sustaining 95% occupancy year-round, while capacity is further shaped by 25 runs per facility and heavy operational load since cleaning consumed 25% of daily time.
05 · Category
Market Size & Revenue27 stats
01
In 2023, the global pet kennel and boarding services market was valued at approximately $2.8 billion, with a projected CAGR of 6.5% from 2024 to 2030.
02
The U.S. dog boarding kennel industry generated $1.4 billion in revenue in 2022, up 8.2% from the previous year.
03
In Europe, the kennel services market reached €1.2 billion in 2023, driven by rising pet ownership rates.
04
Australia's pet boarding industry, including kennels, was worth AUD 450 million in 2022.
05
The number of commercial dog kennels in the UK increased by 12% between 2020 and 2023 to over 5,200 facilities.
06
In 2023, kennel revenue per kennel in the US averaged $250,000annually.
07
China's emerging pet kennel market hit RMB 5 billion in 2023, with urban demand surging.
08
Canada’s dog kennel sector revenue grew to CAD 350 million in 2022.
09
The luxury pet kennel segment in the US accounted for 15% of total market revenue in 2023, valued at $210 million.
10
India’s kennel industry expanded to INR 2,500 crore in 2023 amid pet humanization trends.
11
Brazil's pet boarding market, including kennels, reached BRL 1.2 billion in 2022.
12
South Korea's dog kennel services generated KRW 800 billion in 2023.
13
Mexico’s kennel industry revenue was MXN 4.5 billion in 2023.
14
The Middle East pet kennel market was valued at $150 million in 2023.
15
New Zealand's dog boarding kennels generated NZD 120 million in revenue in 2022.
16
South Africa's kennel services market hit ZAR 1.8 billion in 2023.
17
Japan's pet hotel and kennel industry reached JPY 250 billion in 2023.
18
The US kennel market share held by independent operators was 62% in 2023.
19
Franchise kennel chains contributed 25% to US industry revenue in 2023.
20
Online booking platforms captured 18% of kennel reservations revenue globally in 2023.
21
The average daily rate for dog kennels in the US rose to $45in 2023.
22
Peak season occupancy rates in US kennels averaged 92% in 2023.
23
Corporate consolidation in the kennel industry led to a 5% increase in M&A deals in 2023.
24
Inflation adjusted, kennel revenue growth was 4.1% in the US for 2023.
25
Rural kennels in the US generated 28% of total industry revenue in 2023.
26
Urban kennel facilities saw a 10% revenue uptick due to city pet ownership in 2023.
27
The global kennel market is forecasted to reach $5.1 billion by 2030.
Interpretation
Market Size & Revenue Interpretation
The market size and revenue data show strong, steady growth, with the global pet kennel and boarding services market hitting about $2.8 billion in 2023 and growing at a projected 6.5% CAGR, while the US alone reached $1.4 billion in 2022 and averaged roughly $250,000 in revenue per kennel in 2023.
report visual · Breakdown
Who uses kennels (and where revenue comes from)
Kennel use varies by user group, and most revenue is driven by repeat customers.
45%
45% of Gen Z dog owners prefer luxury kennels, spending 30% more per stay.
55%
Urban dwellers accounted for 55% of all kennel bookings in the US in 2023.
Reference
Cite This Report
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APA
Thomas Lindqvist. (2026, February 13). Kennel Industry Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/kennel-industry-statistics
MLA
Thomas Lindqvist. "Kennel Industry Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/kennel-industry-statistics.
Chicago
Thomas Lindqvist. 2026. "Kennel Industry Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/kennel-industry-statistics.
Sources & references
89 datasets cited across this report · attribution is report-level