Dog Star Pets

Dog Star Pets is a dog daycare and boarding facility at 3525 3rd Ave in Marion, Iowa, built around keeping dogs active and mentally engaged during the day. The approach leans on enrichment: activities meant to work a dog's brain as well as its legs. Owners book online and get photo and message updates while their dog is there.

Services offered

• Daycare with active enrichment activities
• Dog boarding
• Sniff walks
• Daily drop-in visits
• Regular photo and message updates for owners

What sets it apart

Sniff walks are a good example: they let a dog work its nose and set its own pace, which tires out some dogs more than a game of fetch does. Staff are experienced and keep up with continuing education, which is worth weighing when handing a dog over to someone new. The facility is clean and run with eco-friendly practices.

For dogs that do better at home, Dog Star Pets also does daily drop-in visits, with the same photo and message updates.

Practical details

The facility is open 7:00 AM to 6:30 PM Monday through Friday and 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM on Saturday and Sunday, which covers early drop-offs and after-work pickups. Booking is handled online at dogstarpets.com. Questions can go to 319-382-9005 or sarah@dogstarpets.com. The address is 3525 3rd Ave, Marion, IA 52302. The business also posts on Facebook and Instagram, which is an easy way to see the space and the daily routine before booking a first day.