The Animal Keeper
BoardingDaycare
Dogs Away score9.6 /10Exceptional · 355 reviews · top 8% in San Diego
Sources
Behind the 9.6
- Reviews read
- 355 on Google
- Average stars
- 4.80 ★
- Rank
- #3 of 39 in San Diego
- Ratings as of
- July–October 2026
Policies published7 of 27From their website, 2026-09-07
The Animal Keeper is a boarding facility in Encinitas, CA, offering boarding & daycare. It scores 9.6/10 (exceptional) from 355 Google reviews averaging 4.8 stars — #3 of 39 in San Diego. Of the 27 policies we check, its website states 7.
Top 8% in San Diego#3 of 39 by Dogs Away score, from 355 reviews.
Vaccine rules publishedRequired: rabies, DHPP, Bordetella · Recommended: canine influenza · Not mentioned: leptospirosis
Key facts
- Services
- BoardingDaycareTrainingGrooming
- Type
- Dedicated facility
- Boarding rate
- Not published
- Daycare rate
- Not published
- Open 24 hours
- No
- Rank in San Diego
- #3 of 39
- Google rating
- ★4.8 (355)
- From downtown
- 24.2 mi
- Profile claimed on Google
- Yes
Policies & requirements
7/27
7 of the 27 policies owners ask about are published on their website.Checked on their website, 2026-09-07. Open a policy to see their exact words.
Admission requirements3 of 6 published
Vaccinations requiredRequired: rabies, DHPP, Bordetella · Recommended: canine influenza · Not mentioned: leptospirosis
Their words
“be up to date with the below 3 vaccines ... Rabies: We accept the 12-month or 36-month Rabies vaccine Distemper (DHPP): We accept the 12-month or 36-month DHPP vaccine Bordetella: We accept the 6-month Bordetella vaccine Recommended Vaccine Canine Influenza”theanimalkeeper.com/dogs/vaccines/
Bordetella lead time14 days before arrival
Their words
“We require that all dogs of all ages unless otherwise specified by your vet, be up to date with the below 3 vaccines and preferably be given at least two weeks before check-in.”theanimalkeeper.com/dogs/vaccines/
Spay / neuterRequired for group play only from 8 months
Their words
“Can my dog participate in group play if it is not neutered or spayed? If they are under 8 months, then yes, they can! ... they may be transitioned to our private daycare services until they have been neutered or spayed.”theanimalkeeper.com/faqs/
Operations4 of 21 published
Solo care for dogs who skip group playOffered
Their words
“We also have private daycare services that only include your dog and our kennel technicians, providing them with exercise and one-on-one attention.”theanimalkeeper.com/faqs/
HousingSuite
Their words
“Our boarding rooms are private, unlike other cage-free options.”theanimalkeeper.com/faqs/
ToursTours offered
Their words
“Can I tour the facility? Yes, of course! Call your preferred location to see when the best day and time would be, but generally, we re slowest between 11 am and 3 pm and have the most flexibility to give you a full tour.”theanimalkeeper.com/faqs/
FeedingEither house or owner's food
Their words
“Can I bring my pet s own food? You may! Prepackage your pet s food to avoid a small daily fee.”theanimalkeeper.com/faqs/
Show 20 policies not published on their website
Fecal / parasite testNot published on their website
Temperament evaluationNot published on their website
Vaccination recordsNot published on their website
Staff on site overnightNot published on their website
Staff-to-dog ratioNot published on their website
Maximum playgroup sizeNot published on their website
Staff certificationNot published on their website
Play modelNot published on their website
Groups separated byNot published on their website
Time out of their roomNot published on their website
Outdoor accessNot published on their website
CapacityNot published on their website
Climate controlNot published on their website
Live cameras for ownersNot published on their website
Photo / report-card updatesNot published on their website
Injury / fight policyNot published on their website
Veterinary accessNot published on their website
Administers medicationNot published on their website
AvailabilityNot published on their website
Online bookingNot published on their website
Policies change, so confirm anything that matters when you book. Items marked “described by reviewers” come from customers, not from the facility.
Score & reviews
9.6ExceptionalDogs Away score
Higher is better. A score backed by more reviews is more reliable. Read the reviews on Google Maps. Data as of July–October 2026.
What reviewers mention most
grooming 16day camp 15boarding 14calm environment 7excited dogs 6dog play 5cat boarding 5one on one time 3
Topics extracted from public review text, with the number of reviews that mention each.
Who they take & how they care
- Anxious or shy dogs
- Private Daycare in a private room for shy or unaltered dogsStated on their website
- Unaltered dogs & females in heat
- Private Daycare available for unaltered dogsStated on their website
- Cats
- Provides dog, cat, bird and pocket pet boardingStated on their website
In the facility’s own words, summarized. Confirm when you book.
Hours
- Mon
- 7 AM–7 PM
- Tue
- 7 AM–7 PM
- Wed
- 7 AM–7 PM
- Thu
- 7 AM–7 PM
- Fri
- 7 AM–7 PM
- Sat
- 8 AM–5 PM
- Sun
- 8 AM–4 PM
From the public profile, July–October 2026. Drop-off and pick-up windows can be narrower; holiday hours vary.
For travelers
- SAN · San Diego International
- 22.5 mi
- Weekday hours span
- 7 AM – 7 PM
- Open Sunday
- Yes
Straight-line miles, not driving distance. Hours span from the public profile; confirm drop-off and pick-up windows before a flight.
Location
155 Saxony Rd, Encinitas, CA 92024
24.2 miles from downtown San Diego · Get directions
Amenities & details
Identifies as women-ownedWheelchair accessible entranceWheelchair accessible parking lot
Self-reported on the business’s public profile.
Questions about The Animal Keeper
What services does The Animal Keeper offer?
The Animal Keeper is listed as a kennel in Encinitas, CA, offering boarding, daycare.
How much does The Animal Keeper charge?
We did not find a published rate on The Animal Keeper's website when we checked it (2026-09-07); call the facility for pricing. For reference, the San Diego median published boarding rate is $75/night across 12 facilities.
What vaccines does The Animal Keeper require?
According to its website: Required: rabies, DHPP, Bordetella · Recommended: canine influenza · Not mentioned: leptospirosis.
Is someone on site overnight at The Animal Keeper?
The Animal Keeper's website does not say whether a person is on site overnight (checked 2026-09-07). That is common — ask the facility directly before booking an overnight stay.
How does The Animal Keeper compare with other San Diego facilities?
It ranks #3 of 39 in the San Diego index by Dogs Away score (9.6/10, exceptional), based on 355 Google reviews averaging 4.8 stars.
Cite this record
Facts on this page are sourced line by line. To reference it:
The Animal Keeper, Encinitas, CA. Dogs Away facility record, 2026-09-07. https://dogsaway.co/san-diego-ca/the-animal-keeper-2940/Similar places near Encinitas
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