Beating the Holiday Rush: When (and How) to Reserve Thanksgiving & Winter Stays

Your Thanksgiving plans are finally coming together. The flights are booked, the family has confirmed dinner, and the calendar is filling up with holiday plans. Then comes the thought every dog parent eventually has:

“Wait… what are we doing with the dog?”

If your dog will need a place to stay while you travel, holiday boarding is something worth planning before the season gets busy. Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year’s, and winter vacations can all mean increased demand for boarding, and waiting until the last minute can leave you with fewer options.

The good news? A little planning can make the process much easier.

When Should You Book Holiday Dog Boarding?

As soon as your travel dates are reasonably certain.

There isn’t a universal number of weeks that every dog boarding facility recommends. Availability depends on the facility, the time of year, the length of your dog’s stay, and how many other families are traveling at the same time.

But holidays are not the ideal time to wait and see what is available.

Once you know that you’re traveling for Thanksgiving or taking a winter trip, start looking at boarding arrangements alongside your own travel plans.

Booking early gives you time to:

Confirm availability for your preferred dates
Check holiday hours and pickup policies
Make sure vaccinations are current
Arrange medications or special care
Prepare your dog’s food and belongings
Ask questions before your trip gets close

It also removes one more item from the holiday to-do list.

If you’re planning travel several weeks or months ahead, that is a good time to start the conversation rather than treating boarding as a last-minute errand.

Why Holiday Boarding Gets Busy

Holiday travel rarely happens on just one day.

Thanksgiving brings long-weekend trips and family gatherings. December brings Christmas travel, school breaks, family visits, and winter vacations. Then New Year’s creates another busy travel period.

For dog owners, that can mean several households are looking for boarding during the same window.

This is also why the dates around a holiday matter just as much as the holiday itself.

You may not need boarding on Thanksgiving Day, but perhaps you need care for the three days before it and two days afterward. Looking at the complete travel window early gives you a much clearer picture of what you need.

Planning Around Thanksgiving and Winter Holidays

Holiday boarding isn’t simply about choosing arrival and departure dates. You also need to understand the facility’s holiday schedule.

For example, special holiday hours or closures may affect when you can drop off or pick up your dog. That’s particularly important around Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s.

Before finalizing your travel itinerary, check:

When can my dog arrive?
Make sure your intended drop-off date and time are available.

When can I pick my dog up?
Your return flight or drive home may not line up with normal pickup hours.

Are there holiday closures?
Some facilities may have different operating schedules during major holidays.

What happens if my travel plans change?
A delayed flight or extended family visit can turn a three-night stay into four.

Thinking through these details before you leave home is much easier than trying to solve them while standing in an airport.

What to Check Before Booking

Once you’ve found a boarding option that fits your travel plans, look beyond availability.

Check vaccination requirements

Many boarding facilities have vaccination requirements designed to protect the dogs staying there.

Check what your dog’s records need to include and whether anything needs to be updated before the stay. If a vaccination is due, give yourself enough time to contact your veterinarian and obtain the necessary documentation. Add vaccination reminders before boarding to your calendar.

Ask about your dog’s routine

Think about what your dog needs to have a comfortable stay.

Does your dog take medication? Eat a particular food? Need extra exercise? Prefer quieter periods? Have a habit that the care team should know about?

These details are worth discussing when you make the reservation.

Understand the reservation policy

Before confirming your stay, review deposits, payment requirements, cancellation policies, and holiday pricing if applicable.

Policies can vary between facilities, so it’s better to understand them before making your plans.

Consider whether your dog is comfortable with boarding

If your dog has never stayed away from home before, the holidays may not be the best time for a completely unfamiliar experience. A trial stay or daycare visit can sometimes help a dog become more comfortable with a new environment and routine.

How to Prepare Your Dog for a Holiday Stay

Booking the reservation is only part of the preparation.

Your dog may notice that something is different when the suitcase comes out and the household routine starts changing. Keeping their routine as familiar as possible can help make the transition easier.

Stick with their usual food and feeding schedule when possible. Make sure medications are clearly labeled and instructions are easy to follow.

You can also bring a familiar item such as a blanket or favorite toy if the boarding facility allows it.

Most importantly, don’t leave everything until departure morning.

A little preparation can make boarding feel less like a sudden disruption and more like a normal part of the travel routine. For more guidance, see how to prepare your dog for boarding without stress or guilt.

What to Pack for Boarding

Your dog’s boarding bag doesn’t need to look like you’re moving house.

Depending on the facility’s policies and your dog’s needs, you may want to prepare:

Their regular food + 2 days extra
Treats
Medication
Medication instructions
A familiar blanket or toy
Current vaccination information
Emergency contact details
Special feeding or care instructions

Keeping everything together before the day of departure can save you from searching through cupboards while the car is waiting outside.

And don’t forget the weather.

Winter travel can bring cold temperatures, snow, ice, and changing road conditions. Your dog’s needs may also change with the season. The winter safety guide offers additional seasonal considerations for Connecticut dog owners.

Frequently Asked Questions

How early should I book dog boarding for Thanksgiving?

As early as you know your travel dates. Holiday periods can become busy, and booking early gives you more opportunity to secure the dates and care arrangements that fit your plans.

Is holiday dog boarding more expensive?

It can be. Some boarding facilities apply different rates during major holidays or peak travel periods. Always check the current pricing and policies before confirming your reservation.

What should I bring when boarding my dog?

Typically, you’ll want to bring your dog’s regular food, medication if needed, relevant instructions, and a few familiar items. Check with the boarding facility for its specific requirements.

What if my travel dates change?

Contact the boarding facility as soon as you know your plans have changed. Availability may be limited during busy holiday periods, so earlier communication gives everyone more options.

Should my dog try boarding before a holiday trip?

If your dog has never boarded before, a short trial stay or daycare visit may help them become familiar with the environment and routine before a longer holiday stay.

Planning Your Dog’s Holiday Stay

The holidays already come with enough moving parts. Your dog’s boarding arrangements don’t have to be one of them.

At New Inn Kennels in East Haddam, Connecticut, pet parents can arrange boarding while they’re away and discuss their dog’s individual care needs ahead of the stay. The facility also provides daycare and other pet care services, giving families options based on what their dogs need.

If you’re starting to plan Thanksgiving or winter travel, it’s a good time to check your dates, review the boarding requirements, and make arrangements before your holiday calendar fills up.

A little planning now can make the trip easier for you — and give your dog a comfortable place to stay while you’re away.