U.S. pet boarding facilities average 75 percent occupancy each year. Pet owners spend 450 dollars annually on these services. The statistics below detail operations, consumer patterns, and revenue in the sector.
Key Takeaways
- U.S. pet boarding facilities average 75% occupancy rate annually
- 72% of U.S. pet owners used boarding services in 2023, up from 58% in 2019
- U.S. pet boarding industry employs 45,200 workers as of 2023
- The U.S. pet boarding industry is expected to grow at a CAGR of 6.2% from 2024 to 2028, reaching $2.3 billion by 2028
- Luxury boarding trend shows 25% increase in facilities offering suites since 2020
- The U.S. pet boarding industry revenue reached $1.62 billion in 2023, marking a 4.5% increase from the previous year
Pet boarding demand is rising fast as more owners choose professional care for their pets.
Related reading
01 · Category
Business Operations25 stats
01
U.S. pet boarding facilities average 75% occupancy rate annually
02
Average daily rate for dog boarding in U.S. is $42per night in 2023
03
68% of facilities offer add-on services like grooming averaging $25 per session
04
Staff-to-pet ratio in premium U.S. boarding is 1:5, compared to 1:15 in basic kennels
05
Annual operating costs for a mid-sized U.S. pet boarding facility average $210,000
06
82% of facilities use online booking systems, reducing no-shows by 22%
07
Average facility size is 12,500 sq ft with capacity for 45 dogs in U.S.
08
Cleaning and sanitation costs represent 18% of total operating expenses
09
55% of businesses report profit margins of 15-25% annually
10
Peak season occupancy reaches 95%, off-season averages 50%
11
Insurance costs average $12,000per year per facility in U.S.
12
47% of facilities have expanded capacity by 20% since 2020
13
Average marketing spend is 4% of revenue, mostly digital ads
14
Waste management for pet facilities costs $8,500annually on average
15
91% of operations comply with local licensing, with inspections twice yearly
16
Energy costs for climate-controlled facilities average $15,000yearly
17
Grooming revenue per facility averages $45,000annually
18
Training/certified staff present in 73% of facilities, costing $5,200 per employee yearly
19
Cancellation rates average 12%, mitigated by 50% deposit policies
20
Facility utilization peaks at 88% during holidays
21
Average equipment investment (crates, runs) is $75,000initial setup
22
62% use CRM software for customer management, boosting retention by 30%
23
Food supply costs represent 9% of expenses, $22,000 average yearly
24
35% CAGR in webcam installations since 2019 across facilities
25
56% of U.S. facilities adopted contactless check-in post-COVID
Interpretation
Business Operations Interpretation
While the numbers suggest a business of cheerful chaos—where every occupied kennel at $42 a night is a tiny, barking hotel room, and the 1:5 staff ratio is the difference between a spa vacation and a canine convention—the real profit lies in the meticulous alchemy of turning poop, insurance, and webcams into a 25% margin.
02 · Category
Consumer Behavior24 stats
01
72% of U.S. pet owners used boarding services in 2023, up from 58% in 2019
02
65% of millennial pet owners prefer luxury boarding over traditional kennels
03
Average U.S. pet owner spends $450annually on boarding services
04
82% of dog owners book boarding via apps or websites in 2023
05
44% of cat owners opt for in-home boarding alternatives to facilities
06
Female pet owners represent 61% of U.S. pet boarding customers
07
53% of pet owners aged 25-44 use boarding during vacations
08
Urban pet owners book 2.3 times more boarding nights than rural owners annually
09
67% of consumers prioritize webcams/live streaming in boarding facilities
10
Repeat customers account for 78% of pet boarding bookings in the U.S.
11
39% of pet owners choose boarding based on social media reviews
12
Average booking lead time for pet boarding is 14 days in peak seasons
13
55% of Gen Z pet owners prefer eco-friendly boarding options
14
Households with multiple pets spend 40% more on boarding services
15
71% of U.S. pet owners insured their pets influence boarding choices
16
Weekend boarding demand peaks at 85% occupancy for U.S. facilities
17
48% of consumers select boarding with grooming add-ons
18
Travel-related boarding accounts for 62% of all U.S. bookings
19
29% of pet owners trial new boarding facilities yearly based on promotions
20
High-income households ($100k+) represent 52% of luxury boarding users
21
76% of boarding customers request daily photo/video updates
22
Average stay length for dogs in U.S. boarding is 4.2 nights
23
41% of cat boarding stays are under 3 nights
24
63% of pet owners pay premium for one-on-one care options
Interpretation
Consumer Behavior Interpretation
The American pet parent has evolved into a demanding travel agent for their furry clientele, meticulously booking tech-savvy, luxe-staycations with live updates, proving that kennel cough has been culturally cured by an expectation of canine concierge service.
03 · Category
Employment and Facilities24 stats
01
U.S. pet boarding industry employs 45,200 workers as of 2023
02
There are 12,400 pet boarding establishments in the U.S. in 2023
03
Average wage for pet boarding attendants is $14.50per hour in U.S.
04
62% of employees are part-time, averaging 25 hours weekly
05
Manager salaries average $52,000annually in the industry
06
78% of facilities require pet first-aid certification for staff
07
California hosts 18% of U.S. pet boarding facilities, totaling 2,232 sites
08
Turnover rate in pet boarding workforce is 28% annually
09
Florida has 1,450 pet boarding facilities, second highest in U.S.
10
41% of staff have veterinary assistant backgrounds
11
Total industry employment growth of 3.1% YoY in 2023
12
New York state facilities number 850 with 5,200 employees
13
Training hours required average 40 per new hire
14
29% of workforce is over 50 years old
15
Texas employs 4,800 in pet boarding across 1,100 facilities
16
Benefits offered to 54% of full-time staff including health insurance
17
Female employees comprise 72% of the U.S. pet boarding workforce
18
Average facility staffs 3.6 full-time equivalents
19
Certifications like CPDT held by 19% of attendants
20
Seasonal hires peak at 45% staff increase during holidays
21
Midwest region has 2,800 facilities employing 9,500
22
Overtime pay averaged $2,100per employee yearly
23
66% of facilities outsource vet services, reducing on-site staff needs
24
Northeast U.S. averages higher wages at $16.20/hour
Interpretation
Employment and Facilities Interpretation
America's love for leaving Fido in trusted hands is a $14.50-an-hour labor of love, largely managed by certified, part-time pet people who, despite high turnover and seasonal rushes, are growing in number almost as fast as the pile of vacation photos we send them.
More related reading
04 · Category
Growth Rates and Projections22 stats
01
The U.S. pet boarding industry is expected to grow at a CAGR of 6.2% from 2024 to 2028, reaching $2.3 billion by 2028
02
Global pet boarding market projected to expand from $5.8 billion in 2024 to $10.2 billion by 2032 at a CAGR of 7.3%
03
North American pet boarding growth rate averaged 5.8% annually from 2019-2023
04
U.S. dog-only boarding segment to grow at 6.8% CAGR through 2030
05
Post-COVID recovery saw U.S. pet boarding revenue grow 12.4% YoY in 2022
06
European pet boarding market CAGR projected at 5.1% from 2024-2029
07
Australian pet boarding industry growth rate of 4.9% expected annually to 2028
08
Luxury pet boarding segment in U.S. to grow at 8.2% CAGR from 2023-2030
09
Asia-Pacific pet boarding CAGR forecasted at 9.5% through 2030 due to urbanization
10
U.S. pet boarding facilities expansion rate increased by 3.2% in 2023
11
Cat boarding growth in U.S. projected at 4.7% CAGR to 2028
12
Franchise pet boarding growth rate of 7.1% YoY in U.S. 2023
13
Rural U.S. pet boarding growth lagged at 3.8% in 2023 vs. urban 6.1%
14
Tech-enabled pet boarding apps to drive 10% annual growth in bookings through 2027
15
Sustainable pet boarding practices expected to grow market share by 15% by 2030
16
U.S. holiday boarding demand growth of 11% projected for 2024
17
Group play boarding CAGR of 6.5% in U.S. to 2028
18
Premium suite boarding growth at 9.2% CAGR globally through 2030
19
Veterinary-linked boarding services growth rate of 5.9% annually in U.S.
20
E-commerce pet boarding reservations grew 18% YoY in 2023
21
Resort-style boarding CAGR of 7.8% projected for U.S. 2024-2030
22
Basic kennel boarding growth slowed to 2.9% in 2023 U.S.
Interpretation
Growth Rates and Projections Interpretation
The industry is rapidly trading dusty kennels for luxury suites, proving our pets' vacations are now officially better funded than our own.
05 · Category
Industry Trends24 stats
01
Luxury boarding trend shows 25% increase in facilities offering suites since 2020
02
Webcam and live-streaming adopted by 84% of facilities by 2023
03
Eco-friendly practices like biodegradable waste bags used in 49% of U.S. facilities
04
In-home pet sitting hybrid models grew 32% in popularity since 2021
05
AI-powered health monitoring tech in 22% of premium boardings in 2023
06
Subscription membership models implemented in 18% of chains
07
Outdoor adventure boarding programs up 41% since 2019
08
Vegan/organic pet food options in 37% of facilities
09
Contactless payments adopted by 92% post-pandemic
10
Group socialization play areas standard in 76% of new facilities
11
Tele-vet integration in 28% of boarding operations by 2023
12
Mobile app bookings surged 150% from 2019-2023
13
Wellness spa services bundled in 45% of luxury boardings
14
Solar-powered facilities increased to 14% in 2023
15
Personalized nutrition plans offered in 31% of premium sites
16
Virtual reality pet cams piloted in 5% of high-end facilities
17
Catio enclosures for cats trending in 52% of facilities
18
Drone delivery trials for pet supplies in 3% of resorts
19
Mental health enrichment programs in 67% of U.S. boardings
20
Blockchain for pet health records tested in 2% of chains
21
Pop-up boarding events grew 28% during travel peaks
22
Gender-neutral pet playgroups in 81% of modern facilities
23
Compostable bedding materials used in 39% of eco-focused boardings
24
AR previews of suites via apps in 12% of facilities
Interpretation
Industry Trends Interpretation
While today's discerning pet may enjoy a live-streamed spa day on a solar-powered catio before their drone-delivered organic supper, the industry's true ambition is revealed by the fact that we now worry more about their mental health and blockchain-secured medical records than our own.
06 · Category
Market Size and Revenue30 stats
01
The U.S. pet boarding industry revenue reached $1.62 billion in 2023, marking a 4.5% increase from the previous year
02
Global pet boarding services market size was valued at $5.2 billion in 2022 and is projected to grow to $8.7 billion by 2030
03
In 2023, the pet boarding sector in North America accounted for 42% of the global market share valued at approximately $2.18 billion
04
U.S. pet kennel and boarding facilities reported average annual revenue of $285,000per establishment in 2022
05
The European pet boarding market generated €1.8 billion in revenue in 2023, with the UK leading at €650 million
06
Pet boarding industry in Australia reached AUD 450 million in 2023, driven by rising pet ownership rates
07
In 2023, luxury pet boarding services in the U.S. contributed $320 million to the total industry revenue
08
The pet daycare and boarding combined segment revenue hit $2.1 billion in the U.S. in 2022
09
Canadian pet boarding market size was CAD 420 million in 2023, with 5.2% YoY growth
10
Asia-Pacific pet boarding market valued at $1.1 billion in 2023, led by China and Japan
11
U.S. pet boarding revenue per capita stood at $4.85in 2023
12
The industry’s total revenue in 2020 dipped to $1.1 billion due to COVID-19 but rebounded strongly
13
Franchise pet boarding chains generated $850 million in U.S. revenue in 2023
14
Independent pet boarding facilities accounted for 68% of U.S. industry revenue totaling $1.1 billion in 2023
15
Pet boarding market in India grew to INR 1,200 crore ($144 million) in 2023
16
U.S. dog boarding segment revenue was $1.25 billion in 2023, comprising 77% of total pet boarding
17
Cat boarding services generated $210 million in U.S. revenue in 2023
18
Rural U.S. pet boarding facilities reported $450 million in collective revenue in 2023
19
Urban pet boarding revenue in the U.S. reached $1.17 billion in 2023
20
Holiday peak season accounts for 35% of annual pet boarding revenue, equating to $567 million in the U.S. in 2023
21
Subscription-based pet boarding models generated $95 million in 2023 U.S. revenue
22
Pet boarding insurance premiums contributed indirectly to $50 million in industry-related revenue in 2023
23
Corporate-owned pet boarding revenue was $420 million in the U.S. in 2023
24
Small business pet boarding revenue averaged $150,000per facility in 2023 across 8,500 U.S. locations
25
Pet boarding e-commerce bookings added $180 million to industry revenue in 2023
26
Veterinary-affiliated boarding revenue totaled $280 million in the U.S. in 2023
27
Resort-style pet boarding facilities generated $650 million in 2023 U.S. revenue
28
Basic kennel boarding revenue was $720 million, or 44% of total U.S. pet boarding in 2023
29
Premium pet suite boarding revenue hit $380 million in 2023
30
Group boarding revenue in the U.S. pet industry was $520 million in 2023
Interpretation
Market Size and Revenue Interpretation
The modern pet boarding industry has become a multi-billion-dollar testament to the fact that we'd rather pay a small fortune for a luxury suite for our dog than risk the silent judgment of a pet left alone with a suspiciously chewed sofa.
Reference
Cite This Report
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APA
Helena Kowalczyk. (2026, February 13). Pet Boarding Industry Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/pet-boarding-industry-statistics
MLA
Helena Kowalczyk. "Pet Boarding Industry Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/pet-boarding-industry-statistics.
Chicago
Helena Kowalczyk. 2026. "Pet Boarding Industry Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/pet-boarding-industry-statistics.
Sources & references
22 datasets cited across this report · attribution is report-level