A Joyful Dog

A Joyful Dog is a dog boarding and daycare facility at 1599 Kenmore Ave in Buffalo, NY, taking small, medium, and large dogs. Someone is in the building 24 hours a day, so overnight guests always have a person nearby. The same team handles daytime play, baths, and nail trims.

Services and amenities

• Overnight stays in standard kennels or private suites
• Daycare with supervised playgroups and social-skill coaching
• Full-service bathing and nail trims
• Outdoor play yards with artificial turf and year-round awnings
• A web feed of the facility for owners who like to check in

What the facility is like

Kennel enclosures have tempered glass doors and rotating feeders. Surfaces are noise-dampening and easy to disinfect, which matters in a building that runs playgroups all day. The outdoor yards sit under awnings that stay up through every season, so dogs still get outside when Buffalo weather turns. Playgroups are supervised, and staff coach social skills rather than letting a group sort itself out.

Practical details

Published rates run $47 to $65 per night, with the higher end covering a private suite. Proof of current vaccinations is required before a stay. Reservations are handled by phone at (716) 876-3647. The kennel is open 6:30 AM to 6:30 PM Monday through Friday, and 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM on Saturday and Sunday. A Curbside Valet program lets owners hand a dog off at the door, and pickup and drop-off assistance is offered. Staff can give medication during a stay, which is worth knowing for anyone whose dog is on a daily dose.