Best dog day care centers in Apex, NC
This list ranks the top 15 dog day care centers in Apex by an earned composite score built from ratings, review volume, recency, and sentiment (see our methodology); most of these businesses cover boarding, daycare, grooming, and training under one roof, so we've ranked them together as an all-round list.
If you're shopping for grooming specifically, our best grooming services list ranks Apex groomers on their own; the order here reflects overall dog day care and boarding performance across every business we scored.
Picks are ranked by score and relevance to dog day care center, so a lower overall score can rank higher here.
At a glance
| # | Business | Score | Rating | From | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | K9 Resorts Luxury Pet Hotel Apex | 93 | 4.9 (1005) | — | All-round boarding & daycare |
| 2 | All-Star Dog Training | 93 | 4.9 (354) | — | Behavior training & board-and-train |
| 3 | Peak City Puppy | 89 | 4.9 (428) | — | In-home sitting & dog walking |
| 4 | Edgewood Farm Kennel | 86 | 4.8 (72) | — | Difficult-breed grooming & boarding |
| 5 | Harmony Animal Hospital, Pet Resort & Spa | 85 | 4.7 (504) | — | Vet care plus daycare/boarding |
| 6 | Green Level Kennel | 85 | 4.8 (105) | — | Outdoor play-based boarding |
| 7 | Groomingdales | 80 | 4.6 (310) | — | Established grooming, budget-friendly |
| 8 | The Doggy Barbers | 80 | 4.7 (67) | — | Anxious & large-breed grooming |
| 9 | Town and Country Animal Care Center | 77 | 4.5 (243) | — | Long-term boarding with medication needs |
| 10 | Pet Paradise Cary | 75 | 4.1 (290) | — | Live-webcam daycare & VIP suites |
| 11 | Everbrook Academy at the Crossing | 88 | 4.9 (61) | — | Infant-through-pre-K child care |
| 12 | The Growing Years Learning Centers (Apex, NC) | 85 | 5 (27) | — | Hands-on director-led child care |
| 13 | The Learning Experience - Apex | 83 | 4.7 (87) | — | Structured LEAP curriculum |
| 14 | Everbrook Academy at the Peakway | 83 | 4.4 (88) | — | Enrichment activities & community events |
| 15 | Apex KinderCare | 82 | 4.7 (42) | — | Long-term infant-to-kindergarten care |
1. K9 Resorts Luxury Pet Hotel Apex
4.9 (1005 reviews)score 93/100
K9 Resorts posts the top composite score on this list, backed by a 4.9 rating across more than 1,000 reviews. Staff greet dogs by name, send daily photos, and reviewers describe dogs coming home exhausted and content after sessions.
- Staff recognize and engage dogs individually
- Daily photo updates for owners
- Dogs return visibly exhausted and content
- Flexible with last-minute and special scheduling
Services: daycare boarding, grooming, webcam monitoring, dog training
2. All-Star Dog Training
4.9 (354 reviews)score 93/100
All-Star pairs a near-perfect rating with reviewers describing real behavioral turnarounds after 4- to 15-day programs. The team builds owner education into every stay, which reviewers say makes the training stick well after the dog comes home.
- Board-and-train and day-train programs tailored to each dog
- Owner education sessions built into every program
- Experience with rescue anxiety and reactive behavior
- Positive reinforcement approach, not punishment-based
Services: daycare boarding, grooming, webcam monitoring, dog training
3. Peak City Puppy
4.9 (428 reviews)score 89/100
Peak City Puppy has a 16-year track record and a 4.9 rating built on named sitters and walkers who send photos and updates after every visit. It's a strong pick if you want in-home or sitter-home care as an alternative to a kennel.
- 16-year track record in Apex
- Named sitters build ongoing relationships with dogs
- Photo and visit updates after each appointment
- In-home and sitter-home boarding options
Watch out: A handful of reviewers described billing disputes and confusion over the no-refund policy, so it's worth confirming charges up front.
Services: daycare boarding, grooming, webcam monitoring, dog training
4. Edgewood Farm Kennel
4.8 (72 reviews)score 86/100
Edgewood Farm draws loyal, long-distance clients for groomers Jamie Hall and Tiffany, who reviewers credit with handling anxious dogs and tricky coats well. Boarding gets quieter but solid praise from multi-year clients with high-anxiety dogs.
- Groomers with a reputation for difficult breeds and coats
- Dogs routinely excited to return
- Multi-year boarding clients with anxious dogs
- Facility described as clean and welcoming
Watch out: One reviewer reported a rough grooming experience with a young poodle; it stands out as an isolated report among 72 reviews.
Services: daycare boarding, grooming, webcam monitoring, dog training
5. Harmony Animal Hospital, Pet Resort & Spa
4.7 (504 reviews)score 85/100
Harmony combines a full veterinary practice with daycare and boarding, and reviewers name specific doctors (Dr. Molly, Dr. Dave, Dr. Jodi) they've trusted for years. Daycare dogs are consistently described as happy and well-supervised.
- Long-term relationships with named, experienced vets
- Calm handling of anxious, senior, and disabled pets
- Daycare dogs consistently return eager for more
- Detailed care summaries and reasonable prices
Watch out: One family described a boarding incident involving an inexperienced staffer and a slow management response, worth asking about supervision before a longer boarding stay.
Services: daycare boarding, grooming, webcam monitoring, dog training
6. Green Level Kennel
4.8 (105 reviews)score 85/100
Green Level Kennel earns a 4.8 rating on the strength of spacious outdoor play groups and staff who know individual dogs by name. Reviewers with anxious dogs describe a gradual, patient introduction process.
- Extensive outdoor play groups
- Staff know dogs individually
- Long-term customer retention
- Gradual introduction approach for anxious dogs
Watch out: A small number of reviews mention a rushed check-in and inconsistent updates during a stay.
Services: daycare boarding, grooming, webcam monitoring, dog training
7. Groomingdales
4.6 (310 reviews)score 80/100
Groomingdales has built years of loyalty around named groomers like Kathy, V, Darien, and Juan, with most dogs described as calm and relaxed during visits. It's a solid mainstream pick, though a couple of recent reviews raise real concerns.
- Experienced groomers with strong repeat customers
- Named staff who develop relationships with regular dogs
- Calm, patient approach with anxious or young dogs
Watch out: Two recent reviews described a missed style request and a harsh-product skin injury, so confirm the consultation and products before booking.
Services: daycare boarding, grooming, pet sitter, dog walker
8. The Doggy Barbers
4.7 (67 reviews)score 80/100
Chris and the team at The Doggy Barbers earn a 4.7 rating for patient work with anxious and large-breed dogs, drawing customers willing to drive 35-40 minutes. With 67 reviews on record, it's a smaller but consistent sample.
- Skilled, calm handling of anxious and large-breed dogs
- High-quality haircuts and finishing work
- Fair pricing
- Dogs happy to return
Watch out: One reviewer reported a severe cutting injury and uneven work, an outlier against otherwise strong feedback.
Services: grooming, daycare boarding, dog walker, pet sitter
9. Town and Country Animal Care Center
4.5 (243 reviews)score 77/100
Town and Country's team, including Dr. Merriman, has built trust with long-term clients who need medication management during boarding. Boarding and general vet care draw satisfied returns even where other departments have friction.
- Reliable long-term boarding with medication management
- Experienced veterinary team
- Attentive staff who bond with returning pets
- Professional, quick service for routine visits
Watch out: Grooming disputes over unwanted shaving and a defensive staff response show up in multiple reviews, worth clarifying expectations before that service specifically.
Services: daycare boarding, grooming, webcam monitoring, dog training
10. Pet Paradise Cary
4.1 (290 reviews)score 75/100
Pet Paradise Cary stands out for live webcam access and daily photo report cards, with most dogs described as happy and worn out after day camp. The 4.1 rating sits lower than others here, largely because of a few standout negative visits.
- Live webcam access during stays
- Daily photo updates and report cards
- VIP suite with individualized playtime
- Clean facility
Watch out: A recent review described a rude check-in and a dog returning with snout abrasions, worth weighing against the largely positive history.
Services: daycare boarding, grooming, webcam monitoring, dog training
11. Everbrook Academy at the Crossing
4.9 (61 reviews)score 88/100
Everbrook Academy at the Crossing posts a 4.9 rating with parents describing kids who genuinely look forward to arriving, and named staff like Asia, Bipasha, Maria, and Pam get repeat mentions for building real relationships. The live webcam system and frequent updates give families visibility throughout the day.
- Named staff with genuine relationships with kids
- Live webcam access throughout the day
- Structured STEAM and enrichment programs
- Responsive management and strong communication
Services: daycare boarding, webcam monitoring, dog training
12. The Growing Years Learning Centers (Apex, NC)
5 (27 reviews)score 85/100
The Growing Years Learning Centers holds a perfect 5.0 rating, with parents crediting director Ms. Kieya for knowing families by name and running the center hands-on. Enrichment activities like yoga, STEM, and cooking come up often in reviews.
- Hands-on director who knows all families
- Exceptionally clean facility with filtered water
- Staff-led potty training and transitions
- Enrichment programs including yoga, STEM, and cooking
Watch out: The rating is based on 27 reviews, a smaller sample than most others on this list.
Services: daycare boarding, grooming, webcam monitoring, dog training
13. The Learning Experience - Apex
4.7 (87 reviews)score 83/100
The Learning Experience - Apex earns a 4.7 rating built on warm, named staff and a structured LEAP curriculum covering STEM and language arts. Parents highlight transparent daily classroom updates and an inclusive approach across developmental stages.
- Named staff remembered warmly by children
- Structured LEAP curriculum with STEM and language arts
- Transparent daily classroom updates
- Inclusive, mixed-age approach
Watch out: A few parents flagged pricing that wasn't clear until after registration.
Services: daycare boarding, grooming, webcam monitoring, dog training
14. Everbrook Academy at the Peakway
4.4 (88 reviews)score 83/100
Everbrook Academy at the Peakway earns strong sentiment from parents who say staff go out of their way to make kids feel at home, with named teachers like Shannon, Kendra, and Tina getting repeat mentions. Seasonal events like foam parties and art shows build community among families.
- Attentive, named teaching staff
- Daily photo and video updates
- Varied enrichment classes and seasonal events
- On-site meals and snacks included
Services: daycare boarding, webcam monitoring, dog training
15. Apex KinderCare
4.7 (42 reviews)score 82/100
Apex KinderCare is NAEYC accredited, and parents describe years of loyalty built around director Nicole and assistant director Catrina, who know children by name. Daily photos and updates through an app keep families connected.
- NAEYC accredited program
- Consistent daily photo and app updates
- Named staff form lasting relationships
- Facility amenities include gym and splash pad
Watch out: One older complaint noted slow phone responsiveness for rate inquiries from prospective families.
Services: daycare boarding