With the joy and unconditional love of a cuddly kitten or loyal pooch comes the need to walk, feed and shelter your furry friends. Waking up to a tail wag and a permanent walking partner are just a few of the perks of being a pet owner, but what about escaping for the weekend without the guilt of leaving behind your pet? Say goodbye to Connecticut and embark on Spring Break with a clear conscience, after dropping your pampered pal at a pet hotel. These fivekennels and shelters will take care of your pet to exceed your wildest expectations. Don’t be surprised when you pick them up if spending the night on the dog bed isn’t good enough for your newly posh pet.

Best Friends Pet Care
528 Main Ave
Norwalk, CT
(203) 849-1010
http://www.bestfriendspetcare.com/

Check your best friend into this Norwalk-based pet care center for the some R&R made easy, with the Boarding and Play & Stay package.Boasting a program that will put your pet at ease, Best Friends provides structured playtime each day, and a private “suite” for shut-eye, complete with lamb’swool bedding and daily housekeeping. First time boarders can also enjoy an overnight free of charge, with the First Free Night policy. Treat your pet to a stay worthy of your best four-legged friend.

Paws Pet Resort & Spa
312 E. Johnson Ave
Cheshire, CT
(203) 250-7297
http://www.pawspet.com/

Paws Pet Resort & Spa is an escape for your lovebird, cat, dog, rabbit, and more. The Cheshire center accommodates domestic animals of all varieties at their room, board and grooming facility. For a mere $20 a day, place your pet in the lap of luxury. Private, two-room suites are on the agenda for visiting pets, replete with heated floors, a resting bench and glass doors. Included in the day stay are two walks, fresh water and two meals a day, which can be provided by Paws Pet or of your own discretion.

Cassio Pet Resort
173 Mt. Pleasant Rd
Newtown, CT 06470
(203) 426-2881
http://www.cassiopetresort.com/

Give your pet a Spring Break of its own, leaving it to lounge in one of Cassio Pet Resort’s K-9 Kabanas or Catnap Quarters. The Newtown property offers a selection of special services to personalize your pet’s stay, from a supervised Doggie Play Date with another suitable dog, to a supervised swim in Cassio’s private pond. Guest rooms are specifically suited to the dog’s size, with large dogs placed in facilities with a greater personal exercise area. Whether for daycare or an overnight, treat your pets to Cassio’s individualized attention, from swim time to scheduled playtime.

The Barking Lot
940 Sherman Ave
Hamden, CT 06514
(203) 764-2622
http://www.hamdenbarkinglot.com/

Canine companions are top priority at Hamden’s The Barking Lot, with a 10,000 square foot facility enabling many a daytime doggy romp. After passing an onsite temperament evaluation test, dogs can enjoy cage-free, off-leash play on The Barking Lot’s securely fenced-in facility. Prescribing to an alternative method of your “average kennel” practices, The Barking Lot keeps pets entertained for their entire stay, rather than offering two walks a day or a limited amount of playtime. The Barking Lot was established to give shelter dogs a home, and owner Megan Montano promises that when dogs are here, they are family.

Candlewick Kennels
2811 Hebron Ave
Glastonbury, CT 06033
(860) 633-6878
http://www.candlewickkennels.com/index.html

Glastonbury’s Candlewick Kennels is a scenic getaway with plenty of greenery for pups to enjoy playing in. Additionally, an outdoor Astroturf courtyard, private indoor exercise area and leashed walks through the woods will keep dogs entertained and agile while at Candlewick. Kitties also have their own well-decorated digs to enjoy at the kennel, with cat condominiums providing felines with multiple levels of exploratory play. Arranged in a separate atrium and giving cats a view of a fish-filled aquarium and a soundtrack of calming background music, cats enjoy accommodations just as comfortable as their canine compatriots.