Pet Boarding in Vancouver: what to know
Check each host for indoor space for rainy days and whether they have outdoor access or use nearby off-leash areas.
Getting around Vancouver with a pet
TransLink buses, SkyTrain and SeaBus generally allow only small pets in carriers. For larger dogs, a pet taxi is the simplest way to reach the vet, groomer or YVR.
Weather and seasons in Vancouver
Vancouver is mild by Canadian standards but very wet from autumn to spring, with frequent rain and the odd snowfall. Summers are generally dry and pleasant, though heat waves and wildfire smoke from elsewhere in the province have become more common.
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 Vancouver — FAQ
Is pet boarding available in Vancouver?
Yes. OnlyPaw is available worldwide, including Vancouver. 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 Vancouver?
Boarding hosts in Vancouver 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.
