Dog Sitting in Cardiff By The Sea

March 2021 - Chris and Barbara are very special people and took excellent care of our 10 month old Maltipoo. He has stayed with them for both day care and overnight visits and I was very happy with the care they provided! I prefer that he get more attention and personalized attention at a smaller, home care setting (like Hugs) vs one of the other more commercialized dog care options. Chris and Barbara took our dog on a nice, long walk in the morning and evening. They were very flexible when our schedule changed and we needed to adjust the pick up time. And our dog came back clean, happy and tired :-) Update 4/2021 - our dog just stayed with Chris and Barbara for the past 10 days and they sent me pictures, videos and updates every day. Also got pictures of our dog sitting with them - I could tell that they truly care about him and he received lots of love in our absence. He celebrated his 1st birthday with them and my daughter was so sad that we weren’t with him. Chris and Barbara threw him a birthday party and FaceTimed with us so that we could see his party they put on - complete with birthday hats, balloons, dog cake and even a present! We were so appreciative and touched (especially my daughter)!

Hugs Pets Sittings did a truly outstanding and professional job caring for my lab Lola for overnight stays in the home-style setting we wanted for our pet. Not only was my dog cared for in a healthy and loving manner with multiple walks and much attention, but the owners also provided me with photos and and video updates throughout my trip so I could see how well Lola had adjusted to her new environment. Another bonus is Hugs Pet Sitting also allowed me to cancel a reservation 5 days prior due to a emergency hospitalization of a family member during the busy holiday season. Their understanding and compassion shows a business that really cares for its customers.

We were very fortunate to have found this place as we were looking for boarding for our furbabies. We love the fact that they get to roam freely and have access to indoor and outdoor space; it was the perfect home away from home for them. Chris and Barbara were very caring and we knew they were in good hands while we were out of town! We enjoyed all the daily check-ins and I know Kona and Milo look forward to their next visit! They really enjoyed their walks and playing with their furry friends!!!! Thank you again Chris and Barbara, you both provide a great environment for our pets!!

I've had our two dogs, Penny and Sidney, staying at Hugs Pet Sitting for 2 years now. When I first met Barbara and Chris in their home to discuss our needs, I was struck at how their house was 100% tailor-made to have dogs as guests. To have our dogs in a home environment with a limited number of dogs per day, tended to by TRUE dog-lovers who treat your dogs as if they are their own, is a dream come true. The first year, we had a major home remodel going on, and couldn't have our dogs underfoot with workers going in and out (open doors) and dangerous materials strewn about. Five days a week our dogs got to go to "Camp Cavanaugh" and be loved and pampered by Chris and Barbara. They always went out of their way to make sure they got love and affection, or walks, or pickups or drop-offs to my house when I was in a bind...they are the most generous-hearted people who truly do care. I also 100% know that if any sort of emergency were to arise, it would be handled immediately with intelligent and informed action. Our dogs bonded with their two dogs, Yuki and Peach, for life..they truly are best friends. Their German Shepherd Yuki can at first look imposing because of his size, but he truly is a gentle giant who wouldn't hurt a flea...he is so well mannered and such a gentleman and so sweet. Their other dog Peach is exactly as her name implies...a peach! A sweetheart who loves to play and be friends. Now that we're in our second year, we meet at the park for walks (again, our dogs are BFFs), and when we go out of town, our dogs get the treat of getting to stay at what I now refer to as "their cousin's home." We thank our lucky stars every day that we found Hugs Pet Sitting. It truly lives up to its name. Barbara and Chris both work from home, so the dogs truly are tended to and taken care of. Out of this fortunate connection we've found dear friends for life too, in Barbara and Chris! Dog lovers, they are the real deal!! Your search is over...just bring them to Hugs!

I can’t tell you how pleased I was with Hugs Pet Boarding and day care! I originally had my dog scheduled to be boarded at a facility for 10 days. This weighed on our shoulders for days before we left. The thought of him inside sleeping in a kennel and only going out to play with other dogs a few times a day was agonizing!! After searching I came upon Hugs doggy daycare/boarding. This was like finding a diamond in the rough! Everything from my first contact with Chris and Barb was nothing more than professional. We had a meet and greet before our trip and I felt completely confident that this was the place for our pup. They did not disappoint!! Every day they sent us a little video clip of how much fun our pup was having. We actually were concerned that he would not want to come home with us when we came to pick him up. He was having a great time!! Everyday! I would definitely refer my best friends and family and anyone who asks for a place to bring their fur babies to Hugs!!!

Our 6 month old Viszla puppy, Maple, had such a great time at Hugs! It was so comforting to be able to leave her in a home setting and get daily pictures/videos of her activities and behavior. She was so tired out when we picked her up from running around with the other dogs and it was clear she enjoyed herself! This was our first time leaving her with someone other than our family members and it's safe to say we will definitely be using Hugs again, highly recommend!

Chris and Barbara took wonderful care of our dog over our spring break vacation. They cared about her comfort and walked her everyday while she stayed with them. We felt lucky that she was in such good and caring hands. Their place was clean and set up wonderfully for dogs to roam freely and play. They even sent us pictures and videos showing what a great time our dog was having with the other dogs there. One thing especially I would give them a shout out for is how they took some time to screen the dogs they accepted. It was great knowing that they made sure our dog would be comfortable with the other dogs there before we left her there. I wish I could give more stars than five and definitely wouldn't think twice before having her stay with Chris and Barbara again in the future!

Chris and Barbara were wonderful hosts to our 7 month old golden retriever. They were quick to communicate. They sent updates daily. They were willing to work with our picky eater and make accommodations for him. They got him out for exercise daily. He was a happy pup when we picked him up after 3 nights! We will definitely use them again. Thank you!

Hugs is absolutely the best place for your furry friends! I am beyond grateful we found Hugs. Chris and Barbara are amazing with the animals. Our fur babies, Lola and Ziggy, come home happier when they are at Hugs versus anywhere else when we are out. Hugs take wonderful care of the animals and I love how they send photos and video clips of the animals everyday. It makes me feel so comfortable knowing the dogs are in excellent hands. Chris and Barb are nothing short of attentive and loving when it comes to the fur babies. We love them!

I feel so lucky that I found Hugs Pet Sitting for my dog Maggie! She has some separation anxiety and doesn't trust new people very easily but she felt so comfortable with Chris and Barbara immediately! They send me pictures and videos throughout my trips and I can see Maggie having the best time with them and the other pups! Thank you hugs for the being the best!!

I love this place. I enrolled my shy guy into the day training program. He is half way through his first sessions and I am seeing amazing progress. The staff and trainers are super responsive. And I love how clean/secure the facilities are. I feel my little dude is in great hands. I appreciate how strict staff is with vaccines too!! Keeping our fur babies safe and healthy. This place is a GEM. Orbit comes home tired & happy!!!

Excellent care ! We have been bringing our dogs for daycare, and they love coming! We have also used the boarding and feel comfortable they are in good hands. We love getting pictures while we are away . Tara and Adam do an amazing job caring for our fur babies . Kristen has groomed our goldendoodle and does a wonderful job too. The Team at Alcala is great 👍

We trust Alcala and our dog loves it! Our 2 year old lab goes to Alcala for day care, and we board her there when we are out of town. She just stayed for 2 weeks, and previously had been boarded multiple times for up to a week. When we picked her up after 15 days, she was happy and it was like no time had passed! As a dog parent it is hard to find a place that you trust, and we have tried dog sitters in our home but have found that boarding is the best option for us. It's important to enjoy while we are away without worrying, and know our dog is safe and cared for by professionals. That is Alcala for us and we appreciate all the staff!

Best daycare and boarding in town! They keep you updated on your dog and even gave our pup some pumpkin due to a stomach issue. They treat our dog as their own pet and we love them! Our dog June is always happy to go for the day or stay overnight at Alcala!

Tara, Adam, and the Alcala Pet Resort Team run a very professional boarding operation. We know our dogs are always safe and in excellent care at Alcala. Over the past 20 years, we have never experienced a better-run quality pet boarding facility- highly recommended - 5-Star

Alcala is a caring and welcoming place for doggie daycare and boarding. I can leave town knowing my pup will be well cared for and safe. They are super sweet with her and I appreciate them!

Overall I really like Alcala. My dog seems super happy to go there and I love there is so much group play time. I gave you a 4 instead of 5 for 2 reasons: 1) I find the rates very very high, and it's painful to pay for two days of boarding when we technically stay over a single night. There is zero way to pay for one day of boarding, and I find that to be, well, just wrong for the customer. Say I dropped my dog at 4pm on a Tuesday and got him at 9am the next day. I am charged $130. I'd love if you could rethink this policy and charge by 24-hour periods (like, say, a car rental company). 2) I almost never get feedback on how my dog did. I've never had a report card or a photo. I'd love to hear more about his visits.

My very, very, difficult dog started muzzled and dosed with tranquilizers when Kristen did her first groom. Now Emmy, my sweet Maltese, with a snappy streak, just allows Kristen to go on ahead. WE love Kristen, she is a dog whisperer!

Full disclaimer: we're empty nesters, so our fur babies have become our children. Therefore, to say that we adore them beyond words and do whatever is in their best interest would be an understatement. I say this because I want you, the reader, to know that we do our due diligence and research when it comes to those we trust with them. No cutting corners, second best, or anything else in between. None of that. So when I say that Alcala was and is a lifesaver, I sincerely mean it. Our maltipoo, Pumpkin, is 12 years old, so a puppy hasn't been in our household for 11 years. Thus, we were a taaad rusty. We adopted Zoom (labradoodle) when he was three months old (almost six months now) and boy o' boy! Did I mention that a puppy hasn't been in our house in over a decade?! Whew! I knew that no matter how much "training" I did on my own, I needed help. And fast. And from professionals. Alcala was recommended to me, and yep, you guessed it, I did my due diligence! But from the initial phone call to the orientation/assessment and through today, I'm glad I chose them and can't thank them enough for what they do. We signed him up for one of the training/daycare packages, and it has been worth every single penny. Every. Single. One. He gets out all the extra energy and sleeps in his "in-between" days, which I didn't think was possible, but he does. Daycare also allows Pumpkin, our other furry baby, to have a much needed break, and I can work peacefully knowing they're both not home all day, every day. So win, win, win. He absolutely LOVES going to Alcala, and although depending on his mood, he may/may not feel like getting into the car, once we arrive and I park, he can't wait to get out! And because he doesn't realize that he's no longer small in size (see photo below), he jumps on me to hurry up because apparently I don't go at the pace he would like. 😉 However, it is a sweet gesture that brings a smile to my face and tells me that he feels loved, protected, and comfortable there, which is the most I can ask for. Once training sessions are completed, he will be a part of regular daycare. I can't thank Courtney, Cydney, Adam, and everyone else enough! Thank you for loving Zoomy and being a special part of his life. Thank you for doing God's work by helping shape these little creatures who are so incredibly precious. Thank you! -Zoom & Pumpkin's Mom & Dad 📷 courtesy of: Alcala

We have an 8 year old pit bull mix. She was a confident dog until she was attacked by another dog while my wife was walking her around the neighborhood. After that, she was anxious around other dogs. We took her to Alcala and they have been very patient with her. Slowly working her in with the other dogs so that she could build her confidence. Our dog has gone twice a week for the last 4 weeks and is now running around and playing with the dogs her size. The owner and employees have all been a pleasure to interact with.