Veterinarians don’t hand out a one-word answer. What they do give pet owners is a checklist: make sure every dog is vaccinated, the space is clean and secure, the caregiver can safely give medication, and there is a plan for emergencies. An experienced, established boarding facility like LV Dog Hotel is built to meet every one of those standards for every guest, every day. When someone boards dogs in their home, the job of checking each item falls entirely on you.

That matters because, as the Nevada Humane Society points out, boarding and pet-sitting services are largely unregulated. The questions veterinarians recommend are your best protection — so here is what they say, and how LV Dog Hotel answers each one.

1. Every dog in the building should be vaccinated

Veterinary and animal-welfare guidance is consistent here. The American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) tells owners to see their veterinarian before boarding to confirm their pet is healthy and vaccinated, and the Ontario SPCA advises confirming that every animal must be current on its shots, including the Bordetella (kennel cough) vaccine.

Your dog’s vaccines only protect your dog. What really matters is whether every other dog it meets is vaccinated too. In a private home, that can include the host’s own pets and any other dogs staying that week.

At LV Dog Hotel: every guest must be current on Rabies, Bordetella, and Distemper-Parvo, and we need a copy of the vaccination records before check-in. Puppies must be at least four months old and fully vaccinated. No exceptions, no matter who the dog belongs to.

2. The space should be clean, well ventilated, and secure

AAHA recommends visiting in person to make sure a boarding option is clean and secure. The Ontario SPCA suggests checking that a facility looks and smells clean, has good ventilation and light, and is designed to stop canine escape artists. A household is designed for people; a yard gate, a screen door, or a guest opening the front door is all it takes for a dog to slip out.

At LV Dog Hotel: every dog stays in its own private suite — never a cage or a shared bed. We consistently earn an A+ rating, including an A+ for cleanliness, from City of Las Vegas Animal Protection Services. Suites and play areas are disinfected with an EPA-registered disinfectant proven to kill parvovirus and kennel-cough pathogens, our team cleans constantly throughout the day, and fresh water is changed three times a day — sooner whenever we notice slobber.

3. Medication takes real experience

Dr. Ann Hohenhaus, a double board-certified veterinarian at the Animal Medical Center in New York, notes that the skill a pet caregiver needs rises sharply once medications are involved. A neighbor may be fine feeding a healthy cat, she explains, but giving medication is a different job. She also advises checking a boarding facility’s medication policies.

At LV Dog Hotel: medication administration is included in every stay, handled by Pet Pros who have been caring for dogs for years. Bring your dog’s medications labeled with instructions, and we will follow them exactly.

4. There should be a plan for emergencies

Both the Animal Medical Center and the Nevada Humane Society tell owners to ask exactly how emergencies are handled. Dr. Hohenhaus also recommends making sure the caregiver knows your regular veterinarian, letting your vet know your boarding dates, and leaving a one-page summary of your pet’s medications, health concerns, and contact information.

At LV Dog Hotel: ask us about our emergency procedures on your tour — we are happy to walk you through them. Bring your veterinarian’s contact information and your dog’s health summary at check-in, and we will keep it on file.

5. Look for a track record you can verify

The Nevada Humane Society suggests asking about licenses, insurance, staff training, and references. AAHA recommends asking friends and family and reading reviews. Anyone can post a profile online; a track record takes years to build.

At LV Dog Hotel: our Pet Pros have been caring for Las Vegas dogs since 2009 — more than 17 years — and we have welcomed more than one million guests. In 2026 we won the 1% Award for Best Pet Service in Las Vegas from Awardy, were named Highest Customer Satisfaction for pet care facilities by the Consumer Ratings Institute, and were nominated for Best of Las Vegas by the Las Vegas Review-Journal.