Our boarding kennel also provides services to accommodate any pets on required or special diets. The owners can provide food for their pets with feeding instructions; otherwise, we can provide it for them at no extra cost. We use a high-quality veterinarian-prescribed and recommended Purina brand of dog and cat food that is gentle and highly digestible, as well as good tasting for all pets who board without food provided by their owners. Dogs and cats are provided with fresh water and food twice daily. Litter boxes are also cleaned twice a day.

My Buddy provides services for those pets that are on daily medications or injections, with refrigeration if necessary, and follow the strictest time requirements for their administration. Owners are encouraged to bring their pets' beds, kennels, blankets and toys to help prevent them from experiencing separation anxiety or boredom during their stay at My Buddy.

My Buddy is equipped with a security and fire alarm system to ensure the safety of all of our boarding friends, as well as laundry facilities to keep all bedding and accessories clean. We also have a commercial-sized back-up generator in the event of the loss of electricity. Owners may also opt to have their pet bathed or groomed on the day they are to be checked out to cover their grooming needs as well. We strive to make our boarding facility designed to cater to every pet's needs from the time they check in until they leave us to go home. Our manager also resides on the premises and is steps away from your pet at all times.

My Buddy Boarding Inn also provides a full grooming service for cats and dogs of all breeds. Our professional pet stylist, Lori Cook Briggs, graduated from the St. Petersburg Academy of Dog Grooming, and has been working at our facility with 35 years of pet styling experience. Grooming is an important part of your pet's health, with regular brushing and combing helping to remove dead hair and dirt and prevent matting. Dogs and cats that are regularly groomed tend to have a healthier and shinier coat because it stimulates the blood supply to the skin. Our stylist works in a gentle and loving environment that offers a variety of grooming services including specialized and up-to-date clips specific to your pet's breed. We also offer regular and medicated baths, exfoliating sugar scrubs, hot oil treatments, flea treatments, full brush outs and de-matting, nail cutting and painting, teeth brushing, pet facials, ear cleaning and hair removal, full spa treatments, furminating and carding, sunscreen treatments, body massages, and soft claw applications. We request reservations in advance for haircuts in order for you to receive the appointment most convenient for you and your pet. Walk-in baths are welcome up to 3:00 p.m. Walk-in furminates are also welcome up to 1:00 p.m.

Our stylist specializes in all breed grooming and grooms according to each client's exact specifications. Dog breeds that our stylist typically grooms include, but are not limited to the following:

Australian Shepherd             Chow Chow             Cocker Spaniel             Collie			
Corgi                           Dachshund             Golden Retriever           Husky 			
Lhasa Apso                      Maltese               Papillon                   Poodle  		
Schnauzer                       Scottish Terrier      Shepherd                   Shetland Sheepdog  	
Shih Tzu                        Spaniel               West Highland Terrier      Yorkshire Terrier

Our groomer is experienced in grooming cats of any breed including Persians, Himalayans, Longhairs, Medium hairs and standard Shorthairs.

Haircuts include requested cut style, a double bath, conditioner, nail clipping, ears/hair removal, bandana, bows and nails painted upon request. We offer a wide variety of other grooming services including furminating, nail cuts, ear cleaning, flea treatments, hot oil treatments, exfoliating sugar scrubs, soft paw applications and teeth brushing.

What is Furminating? Your dog grows three types of hair. The first is known as guard hair, which is the outer layer of your dog's coat. The second type are the under hairs (under coat). The third are tactile hairs known as sinus hairs. Your dog's topcoat grows one hair per follicle. The under coat grows 15 hairs per follicle which explains where all the hair is coming from. The best solution to alleviate the bulk of shedding is to have your dog furminated. This will help take out some of the under coat leaving less hair on your floors at home. Furminating is a process where a special tool is used to extract the loose hair from your dog's coat. A special furminating shampoo and conditioner is often used to help with the furminating process. Once your dog's furminate is complete, your shedding will decrease by about 90%.

Due to liability risk to our staff we do not board or groom extremely aggressive animals.

During high boarding times or major holidays such as Christmas, Thanksgiving, New Years, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day and Spring Break, a $25 cancellation fee will be charged for any cancellations that are not received at least 48 hours prior to the boarding date.

Any pet coming in for boarding or grooming with fleas or ticks will be treated at owner's expense. We carry a large supply of items for your pampered pets including a variety of shampoos, conditioners, spa treatment items, and grooming tools. My Buddy also boasts a great supply of pet clothing, beds, toys, treats, and collars and leashes.

At My Buddy Boarding Inn, your pet's comfort and your peace of mind are our priority. It is our mission to provide the best possible boarding and grooming experiences for your pet! Please visit us at 1140 S. Guignard Drive in Sumter or call us at 803-773-2501 to make your appointment today! We proudly look forward to serving you and your best friend at My Buddy Boarding Inn for Pets - "Your pet's home away from home!"