Booking a Hotel for Your Furry Friends When You’re Away on Vacation
Having a pet at home is always great...until you’re planning a holiday trip. For many pet owners, it’s a headache to settle their pets when they’re away. Some may ask friends to help walk their dog or clean their cat’s litter box every day. But if you’re a newcomer and live far away from your friends, things can get tough.
Luckily, in a metropolis like Beijing new things pop up and spread as quickly as mushrooms after rain. In recent years, pet hotels are prospering all over the town, which is super convenient for travel-lovers with pets at home. From playgrounds for dogs to presidential suites for cats, every pet hotel tries to attract more potential pet clients with unique facilities. Some places are even equipped with big French windows, air purifiers and 24-hour CCTV cameras! However, while most of the facilities look beautiful and nice, you still need to keep your eyes open when picking out a pet-friendly place for your furry friends from among the mix.
For instance, as a cat owner myself, I prefer a cat-only environment that can give my kitten a greater sense of security. A space that is clean and big enough for playing is also very important, and the sanitation of the facilities must be up to standard. But even these few demands have already excluded half of the pet foster care services on the market!
Based on my own experience, and the feedback of other pet owners, I have come up with the following list of boarding places in Beijing that are comparatively professional and pet-friendly. However, I strongly suggest you make calls yourself, and, if possible, visit in person, before you check in your furry little ones.
International Center For Veterinary Services (ICVS)
ICVS is a long-standing (and perhaps the only) international veterinary hospital in the Wangjing area. In operation for almost 15 years, it provides comprehensive and professional medical services for a variety of animals. If your pet needs special medical care while you are away, ICVS might be a good choice, because your furry friend will be cared for by licensed veterinarians and nurses under 24/7 CCTV surveillance. For dogs, ICVS walks each dog three times each day for at least 15 minutes each time. For cats and other small mammals, there are also separate boarding areas that help reduce the stress of being away from home, allowing pets to settle into a new environment faster. Another plus for ICVS is that it provides air purifiers and water filters.
International Center for Veterinary Services (ICVS) 北京新天地国际动物医院
13-16 Rongke Ganlancheng Shangjie, Futong Xidajie, Wangjing, Chaoyang District (Across the street from the Mercedes Benz Tower & behind the Smile Angel Children’s Hospital)
北京市朝阳区望京阜通西大街融科橄榄城商街13-16号
Contact: (010) 8456-1939/1940
Maotuotuo Cat Hotel
Established in 2017, Maotuotuo is still a relatively new brand in the pet hotel industry. However, it has gained a nice reputation over the past four years, especially in the cat boarding field. You can find their main store near Chaoyang Joy City, as well as three chain stores, one each in Fangzhuang, Beiyuan and Shijingshan. Maotuotuo mainly focuses on cat foster care, providing several boarding options for cat owners to choose from. They have a ventilation system and twice-a-day cleaning, to make sure your cat enjoys a comfortable and clean environment. The 24-hour CCTV camera in each hotel room enables owners to watch their beloved cats at any time. If your kitten is too little or too timid to adapt to a new environment, you can also consider Maotuotuo's door-to-door service. Book the service three days in advance, and Maotuotuo's special “cat agent” will go to your home and spend some quality time with your cat. The service includes feeding, playing, environment cleaning and other requests you may have. Each time costs RMB 98.
猫托托猫咪酒店（青年路店） Maotuotuo Cat Hotel (Qingnianlu Store) 猫托托猫咪酒店
Rm 810, 8/F, Bldg 102, Qingnianhui III, Qingnianlu, Chaoyang District
京市朝阳区青年路青年汇三期102号楼8层810号
Contact: (010) 8575-8680
Laoba Pet Playground
A pet owner himself, Laoba bought this courtyard in Shunyi for his beloved Labrador and developed it into a playground for dogs in 2014. With its natural lawn, the space is large enough for dogs to run around. One of the playground's special features is the large pool where puppies can take a refreshing swim on hot summer days. In winter, the pool turns into a nice sand pit for dogs to play in! On weekends, the Laoba Pet Playground is also a dog-friendly option for picnics and barbecues with other pet owners and friends.
Laoba Pet Playground 老八宠物乐园
Yu’anlu, Gaoliyingzhen, Shunyi District (Inside the Reptile Theme Park)
北京市顺义区高丽营镇裕安路（魔界爬行动物亲子公园内）
Contact: 18613822410 / 13811253185
READ: Help! 180 Pups Are in Urgent Need of Temporary Homes
Images: ICVS, Maotuotuo, Dianping, pixabay
