Holiday dog boarding in Burnaby: plan for Christmas 2026
If you are travelling over Christmas, the question is not only where your dog will stay. It is whether they will be ready to stay there. At Lucky’s that matters more than usual, because of how boarding works here.
Why holiday boarding starts in October
Boarding at Lucky’s is kennel-free. Your dog sleeps in the same open space they play in during the day, with people they already know, and they are never left alone overnight. We schedule boarding around staff availability to make that possible, which means we take fewer boarding dogs than a facility with runs.
Two things follow from that:
- Boarding is only for dogs who already attend daycare. An overnight stay without a crate asks a lot of a dog. They need to be genuinely comfortable with our team and the other dogs first, and daycare is how we get there.
- Holiday dates go early. A limited number of spots, and the same few weeks that everyone wants.
So if your dog has never been to Lucky’s, “booking Christmas boarding” really means three steps, and the first two take time.
A simple timeline
October: get assessed. Create a profile in our client portal, upload vaccination records, then call or email us to book the free assessment. Here is what happens at the assessment.
October to November: come to daycare. A handful of daycare days lets your dog learn the space, the routine and the people. It also lets us learn your dog: how they eat, how they nap, what they look like when something is off. That is what makes an overnight stay go smoothly.
As soon as your dates are firm: ask about boarding. Boarding is arranged directly, not through the portal. Call 604-299-2480 or email [email protected] with your dates.
If your dog already comes to daycare, skip straight to the last step, and do it soon.
What holiday boarding costs
Boarding is priced per night, and longer stays cost less per night:
| Length of stay | Per night |
|---|---|
| 1–3 nights | $68 |
| 4–10 nights | $63 |
| 11+ nights | $58 |
All rates plus GST. A seven-night trip, for example, works out to 7 × $63 = $441 plus GST. Full details are on the boarding page.
What a boarding day looks like
Your dog is not parked until you come back. Boarding dogs follow the daycare schedule: enrichment at 9:30, lunch at 11:00, a proper nap from 12:00 to 2:00, afternoon enrichment, outdoor breaks. On weekends and holidays we are open 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM.
That routine is most of the reason boarding dogs settle here instead of pacing. The day has a shape, and the shape is one they already know.
Before drop-off: a short checklist
- Vaccinations current for the whole stay. We require bordetella, parvo/distemper and rabies (titer tests are acceptable). If anything expires in December, renew it before you leave. More on vaccination requirements.
- Their usual food, portioned if you can, and written feeding instructions. A sudden food change on top of a change of routine is a recipe for an upset stomach.
- Medications, clearly labelled, with the dose and timing written down.
- A reachable contact while you are away, and your vet’s name and number.
- Anything we should know, like new fears, a sore leg, a recent change in appetite. Tell us at drop-off, not after.
The short version
If your dog is not a Lucky’s regular yet, book the assessment this month. If they are, send us your dates now. Either way, the earlier we hear from you, the more likely you get the nights you need.