Pet Boarding in Chicago: what to know
Check each host for indoor space and how they handle exercise when it is too cold or icy for long walks.
Getting around Chicago with a pet
CTA trains and buses only allow small pets in enclosed carriers (service animals excepted), so larger dogs need a car for vet trips. A pet taxi covers vet visits, groomers and rides to O'Hare or Midway.
Weather and seasons in Chicago
Chicago winters are long and cold, with snow, ice and bitter wind off the lake; sidewalks are heavily salted. Summers are warm to hot and often humid, with the lakefront a few degrees cooler than inland neighbourhoods.
Before you book
Check each host's profile for space, other pets and whether they accept cats or puppies, and pack your pet's usual food for the stay.
Keep your pet's vaccinations and any local registration up to date and carry the records — providers may ask to see them before the first booking.
Pet Boarding in Chicago — FAQ
Is pet boarding available in Chicago?
Yes. OnlyPaw is available worldwide, including Chicago. Because it's a marketplace, the boarding hosts you can book depend on who has been approved near your address — the app shows who's available before you pay.
How much does pet boarding cost in Chicago?
Boarding hosts in Chicago set their own prices, so you see each provider's rate in the app before you book. At checkout OnlyPaw adds a service fee of 10% of the service price, with a minimum of USD 2 and a maximum of USD 20 (or the equivalent in your local currency), shown before you pay. Your payment is held and only released to the provider after the service is completed.
How are providers vetted?
Every provider submits a government ID and a selfie, passes a knowledge test with a 70% pass mark and uploads service-specific documents — home photos for sitting and boarding, driving licence and vehicle registration for pet taxi, certificates for grooming and training — before the OnlyPaw team approves them.
What if I need to cancel?
Each provider uses one of three cancellation policies. Under the default moderate policy you get a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start, 50% if you cancel at least 2 hours before, and nothing in the last 2 hours. The flexible policy refunds in full up to 2 hours before the start; the strict policy refunds in full from 48 hours and 50% from 24 hours before.
What happens in an emergency?
Every active booking has an SOS button in the app. It alerts the other party and the OnlyPaw team straight away. If your pet needs urgent medical care, contact a vet or emergency clinic first.
