--- title: "K9 University Chicago — Chicago, IL" url: "https://dogsaway.co/chicago-il/k9-university-chicago/" updated: "2026-08-20" data_pulled: "2026-07-07" census_at: "2026-08-20" source: "Dogs Away — public Google Business profile (identity, rating) + Dogs Away disclosure census of the facility's own website" license: "All rights reserved. Read and cite freely. No bulk copying. (https://dogsaway.co/terms/)" attribution: "Source: Dogs Away (dogsaway.co)" --- # K9 University Chicago Dog day care center in Chicago, IL — part of the Dogs Away index of dog boarding and daycare in Chicago, IL (https://dogsaway.co/chicago-il/). **★4.6 from 694 Google reviews, Dogs Away score 9.2/10.** The Dogs Away score is a Bayesian-adjusted Google rating on a 0–10 scale (prior weight 25 reviews at the 4.669 network mean). ## Facts - **Services:** daycare, training, boarding, grooming - **Address:** 2945 W Lake St, Chicago, IL 60612 - **Phone:** (773) 992-1804 - **Website:** https://k9uchicago.com/?utm_campaign=gmb - **Google Maps profile (verify):** https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=K9%20University%20Chicago&query_place_id=ChIJzYub-qYyDogRXU6Dd93HPMU ## Hours | Day | Hours | | --- | --- | | Monday | 7 AM–7 PM | | Tuesday | 7 AM–7 PM | | Wednesday | 7 AM–7 PM | | Thursday | 7 AM–7 PM | | Friday | 7 AM–7 PM | | Saturday | 8 AM–4 PM | | Sunday | 8 AM–4 PM | ## Booking terms, safety and care - **Senior dogs:** Senior approach uses calmer groups, optional individual care and quieter kennels — facility's words: "Our senior approach uses calmer groups, optional individual care, and Deluxe kennels for a quieter stay" (https://k9uchicago.com/?utm_campaign=gmb) - **Anxious or shy dogs:** Individual handling is available for reactive dogs that cannot be in groups ($5 fee) — facility's words: "Special Handling Fee for Individual Dogs $5.00 This fee is for reactive dogs or dogs that need special attention and cannot be in groups" (https://k9uchicago.com/dog-daycare/) - **Unaltered dogs & females in heat:** Accepts intact dogs in daycare, with separate play areas and small matched groups — facility's words: "dog daycare for intact dogs in Chicago is available at K9 University, with separate play areas and small, trainer-matched groups" (https://k9uchicago.com/dog-daycare/daycare-boarding-for-unspayed-dogs/) - **Updates during a stay:** Daily report cards with photos (senior daycare and boarding) — facility's words: "Daily report cards with photos" (https://k9uchicago.com/senior-dog-daycare-boarding-chicago/) - **Vet costs during a stay:** Owner authorizes emergency vet care and is solely responsible for the expenses — facility's words: "You agree to be solely responsible for all associated expenses" (https://k9uchicago.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/K9U-Owner-client-agreements-FINAL-2026.pdf) ## Booking and cameras - **Gingr** (booking): linked from the facility's website — https://k9uchicago.portal.gingrapp.com/#/public/new_customer - Checked 2026-10-03. ## For travelers - **MDW** (Chicago Midway): 7.2 miles, straight line - **ORD** (Chicago O'Hare): 12.3 miles, straight line - **Weekday hours span:** 7 AM to 7 PM - **Open Sunday:** yes Hours from the public business profile; drop-off and pick-up windows can be narrower. ## Published rates - **Overnight boarding:** $67–$77 per night (first dog, standard rate) - **Daycare:** $45 per day - **Additional dog:** 2 Dogs Per Night $107 regular / $127 deluxe [40% off the second dog] > “Regular and Deluxe Dog Boarding Prices Service Level Number of Dogs Price REGULAR Boarding 1 Dog Per Night $67 2 Dogs Per Night $107 [40% off the second dog] DELUXE Boarding 1 Dog Per Night $77 ... Single Daycare Walk-in $45” Source: https://k9uchicago.com/k9u-chicago-prices/ — checked August 20, 2026. ## Disclosure record Publishes 9 of 27 checked policies on its own website (census August 20, 2026). "Not published" is a fact about the website on that date, not a claim about the facility's practice. ### Admission requirements - **Vaccinations required:** Required: rabies, DHPP, Bordetella, leptospirosis · Not mentioned: canine influenza > “The following are the required Vaccinations for any K9U service: Distemper, Up to Date Fecal Test, Parvo, Rabies, Bordatella, and Lepto.” — https://k9uchicago.com/dog-daycare/ - **Bordetella lead time:** Not published on their website as of August 20, 2026 - **Fecal / parasite test:** Negative test required > “The following are the required Vaccinations for any K9U service: Distemper, Up to Date Fecal Test, Parvo, Rabies, Bordatella, and Lepto.” — https://k9uchicago.com/dog-daycare/ - **Spay / neuter:** Not published on their website as of August 20, 2026 - **Temperament evaluation:** Not published on their website as of August 20, 2026 - **Vaccination records:** Proof checked, not taken on word > “Please be sure to fax or email us a current record of these for our files.” — https://k9uchicago.com/dog-daycare/ ### Operations - **Staff on site overnight:** Yes — a person is on site > “Our facility is monitored by staff 24/7 and is climate-controlled to provide safety and comfort no matter the weather.” — https://k9uchicago.com/ - **Staff-to-dog ratio:** Not published on their website as of August 20, 2026 - **Maximum playgroup size:** Not published on their website as of August 20, 2026 - **Staff certification:** Not published on their website as of August 20, 2026 - **Play model:** Not published on their website as of August 20, 2026 - **Groups separated by:** Temperament and play style > “These small, trainer-curated groups progress at a comfortable pace, with trainers matching each dog by temperament, play style, and individual needs” — https://k9uchicago.com/boarding-daycare-for-reactive-dogs/ - **Time out of their room:** Not published on their website as of August 20, 2026 - **Solo care for dogs who skip group play:** Not published on their website as of August 20, 2026 - **Housing:** Not published on their website as of August 20, 2026 - **Outdoor access:** Indoor outdoor > “K9U has the largest and nicest and biggest indoor and outdoor play areas in Chicago complete with playground equipment and controlled environment.” — https://k9uchicago.com/k9u-chicago-frequently-asked-questions/ - **Capacity:** Not published on their website as of August 20, 2026 - **Climate control:** Climate-controlled > “Our facility is monitored by staff 24/7 and is climate-controlled to provide safety and comfort no matter the weather.” — https://k9uchicago.com/ - **Live cameras for owners:** Not published on their website as of August 20, 2026 - **Photo / report-card updates:** Yes > “Report Card free Video or Picture of your dog with a description of how your pooch is doing.” — https://k9uchicago.com/dog-daycare/ - **Tours:** Not published on their website as of August 20, 2026 - **Injury / fight policy:** Not published on their website as of August 20, 2026 - **Veterinary access:** Not published on their website as of August 20, 2026 - **Administers medication:** Not published on their website as of August 20, 2026 - **Feeding:** Not published on their website as of August 20, 2026 - **Availability:** Not published on their website as of August 20, 2026 - **Online booking:** Yes > “Book Online Call for packs Email for packs” — https://k9uchicago.com/dog-daycare/ ## Licensing Illinois licenses and inspects dog boarding and daycare facilities. The Animal Welfare Act (225 ILCS 605) makes it unlawful to operate as a kennel operator without a license from the Illinois Department of Agriculture, and the Department's Bureau of Animal Health and Welfare licenses and inspects kennel operators, day care operators, breeders, dealers, pet shops, shelters and animal control facilities. The application fee is $350 per license type, licenses expire annually on 30 June, and a preliminary Department inspection is a prerequisite to issuance. Minimum standards for boarding are set in rules, not left to the operator. This is the first market in the index outside Colorado with a genuine state regime — Texas has none at all. Market licensing detail: https://dogsaway.co/chicago-il/ ## How to cite K9 University Chicago, Chicago, IL. Dogs Away, https://dogsaway.co/chicago-il/k9-university-chicago/ (census August 20, 2026; listing data July 7, 2026). Source: Dogs Away (dogsaway.co). Read or cite this one record with a link. Do not bulk copy, scrape or rebuild the directory. Terms: https://dogsaway.co/terms/ Structured data: https://dogsaway.co/api/v1/facilities/chicago-il/k9-university-chicago.json