The Animal Lodge

The Animal Lodge is a dog boarding and daycare kennel at 5700 County Farm Rd in St Johns, MI, and it takes dogs of every size along with cats and small caged animals. The building is entirely indoor, with radiant heated floors for winter and air conditioning for summer. Dogs go out to a spacious fenced yard four to six times a day for potty breaks.

Services and amenities

• Overnight boarding in three room sizes, plus the deluxe private Wilderness Lodge suite
• Day Camp, offered as a daily rate or a 10-day pass
• Grooming, plus a self-serve Canine Clean-Up tub for owners who want to bathe their own dog
• Medication administration during a stay
• Slatmill conditioning sessions run by trained kennel techs

Rooms and daily routine

The three room sizes mean a small dog and a large one each get a space that fits. The Wilderness Lodge is the deluxe option: a private suite at a step up in price, which tends to suit dogs that settle better away from the activity. Climate control runs year-round, and the outdoor yard breaks up the day for every dog staying over.

The slatmill sessions are the unusual piece here. A kennel tech works with the dog on a non-motorized treadmill, which gives high-energy dogs a way to burn something off without leaving the property.

Booking and practical details

Reservations are handled online. Boarding runs $21 to $65 per night depending on the room, with rates published on the kennel's own site. Current vaccinations are required for every pet. Present and former military, police, and firefighters get a discount on boarding.

The Animal Lodge is open 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM Monday through Saturday, and 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM on Sunday. Owners with questions about a specific dog can call (989) 227-1600 or email myanimallodge@gmail.com before booking.