What are some of the perks that pets and their people enjoy in Raleigh, North Carolina? According to the Greater Raleigh Convention and Visitors Bureau, this city has been ranked one of the best places to raise a family—many times over. Judging from the amenities available to you and your pets in this fine city, listed below, it may just be a great place to raise your furrier family members, too!
Pet Services in Raleigh, NC
Pet Specialty Services: There’s nothing small city about the ways you can pamper your pet in Raleigh!
- Resorts and spas: Suite Paws has doggy daycare, featuring pool time, structured play outdoors, and a puppy cam for you to view all the goings-on. They also have environmentally-friendly boarding for cats and dogs, dog grooming, and even a pet store! Dogtopia offers doggy daycare, grooming, a self-service dog wash, and boarding. At Happy Tails, there are dog slumber parties (not regular old boarding!), cat and dog grooming, and dog daycare that includes grain-free treat time, ear cleaning, nail trimming, tooth brushing, grooming, walking, and play.
- Holistic pet stores and boutiques: At Phydeaux, you can find food, treats, toys, furniture, and accessories for your dogs, cats, birds, rabbits, ferrets, guinea pigs, hamsters, gerbils, chinchillas, mice, and, yes, rats! Unleashed: The Dog and Cat Store features a self-service dog wash, dog food analysis, a dog-meeting space, toys, accessories, food, and treats—none containing wheat, corn, soy, byproducts, propylene glycol, chemical preservatives, or artificial flavors.
Vet Services: Want to find a vet for your pet? There are a wide range of options available.
- 24-Hour Vets and Hospitals: Some of the area hospitals and vets that are open 24 hours a day or have extended hours for emergencies include the Veterinary Health Complex at the College of Veterinary Medicine at NC State University, CareFirst Animal Hospital, Veterinary Specialty Hospital of the Carolinas, Quail Corners Animal Hospital, and VCA Animal Hospitals.
- Behaviorists: Options for pets and their parents include NC State University’s Behavioral Medicine Service, K9 Solutions, and Dog Dynamics. Check out the American College of Veterinary Behaviorists for recommendations of what to look for in a behaviorist and how to find one near you.
- Spay, Neuter, Microchipping, Rabies Clinics, and Feral Cats Services: Find what you need from the SPCA of Wake County, the Wake County Government Animal Center, or the Animal Center’s listings of low-cost spay, neuter, microchipping, rabies clinics, and feral cat services in the region.
Pet Adoption: The SPCA of Wake County has pet adoption listings for dogs, cats, rabbits, ferrets, and other small animals. Wake County Government Animal Center lists adoptable dogs, cats, rabbits, rodents, guinea pigs, and farm animals. There are always ongoing mobile pet adoption fairs in the Raleigh area too.
Things to Do With Pets in Raleigh, NC
The pet-friendly scene in Raleigh spans restaurants, parks, trails, and hotels!
- Explore the Outdoors: The City of Raleigh has three off-leash dog parks—Millbrook Exchange Dog Park, open from sunrise till 10 p.m.; Oakwood Dog Park, which has a separate smaller park for senior dogs or dogs that are nervous around bigger dogs; and Carolina Pines, with three separate areas for you and your pooch to roam in. For some on-leash fun, walk, run, or hike Raleigh’s 28 trails that make up the Capital Area Greenway System.
- Attend Annual Events for Pets: The SPCA of Wake County’s yearly festivities include Howl-O-Ween, a shelter-dog costume parade, and more fun holiday activities like Santa Paws 5K, a holiday run for pets and their people, and the Fur Ball (in its eighteenth year), a silent auction to support homeless pets.
- Dine Out: According to the pet travel website, Bring Fido, there are 23 dog-friendly restaurants in Raleigh. Trips with Pets and Live Work Play have rounded up even more places in the city where you can chow down with your best pal outdoors.
- Stay at a Hotel: Bring Fido lists 31 pet-friendly hotels in Raleigh—some with and some without pet fees.
- Find a Home: The Wake County Animal Center and the Wake County Animal Advocates Group have compiled a listing of pet-friendly housing and apartments in Raleigh, including which places have pet fees associated with them. Apartment Finder and Apartment Guide also have listings for apartments that accept pets in Raleigh.
More on Pets In The City
The Best City Dog Breeds
Pets in the City: A New York City Guide for Pet Parents
Which Dog Breed Is Best for You?