The Ark Pet Spa & Hotel in Chattanooga: Boarding, Daycare, and Grooming Combined
The Ark Pet Spa & Hotel operates as a full-service pet facility offering boarding, daycare, and grooming under one roof on the north side of Chattanooga. Unlike single-service providers, it consolidates overnight stays, drop-in supervision, and coat work, reducing the logistics of managing multiple vendors during travel or work absences.
What The Ark Pet Spa & Hotel actually is
The Ark functions as a hybrid boarding and daycare operation with an integrated grooming salon. The facility accepts dogs and cats for overnight boarding, runs a weekday daycare program, and provides grooming services. It sits between traditional kennels (which typically offer boarding only) and in-home pet sitters (who visit your house) in Chattanooga's pet-care spectrum. The combination appeals to owners who want their dog both supervised during the day and bathed before pickup, or who prefer facility-based care over a stranger holding keys to their home.
Services and pricing
Boarding rates run $45 to $65 per night for dogs, depending on room size and length of stay; multi-night stays typically discount incrementally. Daycare costs $25 to $35 per day. Grooming ranges from $50 for a bath-only package to $120 to $180 for full-service grooms, with pricing scaled by dog size and coat type. Cats board for $35 to $45 per night. The facility requires current vaccinations (rabies, DHPP for dogs; FVRCP for cats) and proof of bordatella (kennel cough) for dogs entering daycare. First-time boarders should confirm current pricing and any seasonal rate changes directly; the facility occasionally adjusts fees during peak travel seasons.
How The Ark compares to other Chattanooga pet-care options
In-home pet sitters like those available through Rover or local independent operators eliminate facility stress and keep pets in familiar surroundings, but they cost $25 to $50 per visit and require house access; they suit owners who prioritize routine over convenience. Traditional boarding facilities without grooming (such as many small kennels across Chattanooga) charge less per night ($30 to $50) but force a separate trip to a groomer before or after travel. Daycare-only centers offer socialization and exercise but don't include grooming or overnight stays, making them best for working owners with flexible pickup times. The Ark's all-in-one model works best for owners who value time savings and want grooming done on-site rather than coordinating three separate vendors.
Who The Ark suits and who it does not
The facility fits owners with dogs or cats needing both boarding and grooming, owners working irregular hours who want daycare supervision, and those without trusted neighbors for house-sitting. It suits pets with moderate-to-high energy who benefit from group play and supervised exercise. It does not suit owners whose pets have severe separation anxiety or require one-on-one attention throughout the day; those animals often do better with in-home sitters. Cats who are extremely timid or aggressive toward other animals may find facility boarding stressful, making in-home care a gentler alternative.
What the first visit involves
New clients typically book a meet-and-greet or day-visit before overnight boarding. Bring vaccination records, proof of current rabies and DHPP (or FVRCP for cats), and bordatella documentation. Staff will ask about dietary needs, medications, behavioral quirks, and emergency-contact preferences. If you are planning grooming alongside boarding, confirm scheduling then; grooming usually happens mid-stay so your pet is fresh at pickup. Most first visits take 15 to 20 minutes of paperwork and facility orientation.
Hours, parking, and logistics
The Ark operates Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., for daycare drop-off and pickup. Boarding check-in is typically available until 6 p.m., with weekend pickup by appointment. The facility has on-site parking. It is located on the north side of Chattanooga; confirm the exact address and current hours before visiting, as seasonal or staffing changes can affect availability. Saturday and Sunday hours are limited or by arrangement, so plan accordingly for weekend travel.
For owners balancing work schedules, travel dates, and grooming needs, The Ark's combined services and mid-range pricing reduce friction compared to juggling separate vendors across Chattanooga. It earns its role as a practical, all-purpose stop rather than a specialty boutique.
