Home-Style Dog Boarding in Cedar Falls, Iowa: Where Daycare Is Always Included
If you are searching for dog boarding in or near Cedar Falls Iowa that you can actually feel good about, we want you to know about us!
Fast Tracks Canine Activity Center is locally owned, right here in the North Cedar neighborhood of Cedar Falls at 1702 E. Lake St., and we’ve been the trusted choice for dog owners across the region since 2014. However, what really sets us apart isn’t just our location or our friendly faces. It’s the way we do boarding.
At Fast Tracks, dog daycare is included with every boarding stay at no extra charge.
Smiles like this are why we love what we do. 🐾 one cute pup enjoying his day at Fast Tracks in Cedar Falls.
That might sound simple. In this industry, it’s actually pretty rare. And we think it matters more than almost anything else when it comes to choosing where to leave your dog.
What Most Dog Boarding in or around the Cedar Valley Actually Looks Like.
Let’s be honest about what’s happening at a lot of boarding facilities.
When your dog gets dropped off and checked in, they’re put in a kennel. Staff may let them out a couple of times a day for a bathroom break, but otherwise they eat in their kennel, sleep in their kennel, and spend the majority of their day, sometimes 20+ hours, just waiting.
Some places offer daycare as an add-on. For an extra fee, your dog can join a play group for a few hours. For yet another fee, maybe they get a little one-on-one attention. Essentially, the base boarding rate covers the kennel and making sure your dog is fed and has water. Everything else is a line item.
A typical stay at one of these facilities might look like this:
- Overnight boarding: starting around $50/night
- Daycare add-on: extra, not always guaranteed, and they operate on a first come, first-serve basis.
- Additional potty breaks or attention: extra
- Total for a 3-night stay: $200+ before you’ve added anything your dog actually needs to stay active and happy
Clearly, that model isn’t just expensive. It prioritizes billing over the actual wellbeing of your dog.
Why Our Dog Boarding Cedar Falls Iowa Clients Get Daycare Included
When we built Fast Tracks, we asked ourselves what truly good boarding looks like. The answer was pretty obvious: a well-boarded dog should come home happy, tired, and social. Not anxious, restless, and cooped up.
Dogs simply are not built to lie in a kennel all day. They need:
- Exercise: real, physical, run-around-until-your-tongue-hangs-out exercise
- Socialization: time with other dogs, learning to read each other and play well
- Mental enrichment: new smells, new environments, new challenges
- Human connection: interaction with people who actually pay attention to them
None of these are luxury add-ons. This is what dogs need to be healthy and happy. Charging extra for it is like a hotel charging extra for a bed.
You should not have to pay extra for your dog to be loved, cared for, and given attention. That’s not a premium service. That’s the baseline.
When a dog is left alone in a kennel for most of the day, they aren’t being boarded well. They’re being stored. No dog owner who loves their pet should accept that as normal, especially when they’re paying good money for it.
So we included daycare because it’s the right thing to do. At Fast Tracks, your dog is out playing with friends, running our outdoor yards, and in the warmer months, splashing in the pool. Their kennel is used for meals and sleep, not for sitting and waiting.
A busy day and happy paws at Fast Tracks. Dogs making their way through the indoor play area in Cedar Falls.
What Our All-Inclusive Boarding Actually Includes
When it comes to dog boarding Cedar Falls Iowa pet owners deserve, every guest at Fast Tracks gets the following with no asterisks and no add-on fees:
- ✅ Full Dog Daycare every day of their stay
- ✅ Supervised outdoor play in our spacious yards
- ✅ Pool access during warmer months
- ✅ Socialization with other dogs in a safe, staff-monitored environment
- ✅ Comfortable kennel or suite for meals and sleep
- ✅ Staff-to-dog ratios that keep your dog visible, supervised, and genuinely looked after
- ✅ A team that knows your dog’s name, personality, and preferences
While we do offer optional add-ons, notice what they actually are. These are genuine treats and experiences, not things your dog simply needs to have a decent day:
- 🌙 Cloud Nine Nap ($12/night): A plush bed, an extra fluffy blanket, and a bedtime story. The ultimate wind-down for a dog who had a big day.
- 👑 Regal Paws ($10/day): A daily photo, a daily progress report, and a loaded pup cup. Perfect for the dog parent who misses their pup and wants updates throughout the stay.
- 🧠 Smartie Pack ($10/day): A puzzle toy, a homemade dog treat, and a challenging Kong to keep their brain busy and engaged.
Cozy, calm, and right at home during boarding at Fast Tracks. 🐾
In short, these are the kinds of extras we’re proud to offer. Genuine upgrades that go above and beyond, not fees for the basics your dog deserves every single day.
What a Stay at Fast Tracks Actually Looks Like
Drop-off: Your dog is greeted by our friendly team. Before joining the daycare program, all dogs must complete a one-time temperament test ($45). This ensures every dog in our play group is a good fit, keeping everyone safe and having fun. New guests are introduced at a comfortable pace with no rushing and no stress.
Daytime: Out in the yard and playing with friends, your dog gets the exercise and socialization they need. Because daycare is fully included, there’s nothing extra to pay for this.
Meals: Dogs eat in their own space so there’s no competition or stress around food.
Bedtime: After a full day of play, your dog settles into their comfortable kennel or suite for a well-earned night’s rest.
Pickup: You get a happy, worn-out dog every time. However, keep in mind that pickups after 12pm on the last day include a $25 half-day daycare charge, since your dog will have already been out playing with the group that morning.
For first-time boarders especially, this structure makes a huge difference. A dog who spends the day playing and burning energy is a relaxed dog at bedtime. Moreover, first-timers almost always settle in faster when their days are full, and that’s something we hear from new clients all the time.
Home-Style Care, Not a Big Box Facility
Fast Tracks is locally owned and operated. We’re not a franchise and we don’t follow a corporate playbook. Instead, we’re a team of people who genuinely love dogs, and we’ve built an environment that reflects that.
Our staff are trained in dog behavior, health and wellness, breed-specific needs, and safety. Furthermore, with over a decade of combined experience in the industry, we keep our numbers intentionally manageable so your dog actually gets attention throughout the day, not just a glance from across the room.
That home-style feel is exactly what makes our dog boarding Cedar Falls Iowa families keep coming back to, year after year. As a result, people from across northeast Iowa make the drive to North Cedar and keep coming back.
Dog Boarding Cedar Falls Iowa and Beyond: Communities We Serve
Fast Tracks is located in the North Cedar neighborhood of Cedar Falls, making it an easy drive for families across the region. We regularly welcome dogs from:
- North Cedar, Cedar Falls, IA: the neighborhood we call home, we’re right here
- Cedar Falls, IA: our city, and where most of our regulars are from
- Waterloo, IA: just a few minutes away
- Hudson, IA: a quick drive south of Cedar Falls
- Janesville, IA: northwest of Cedar Falls, a short commute
- Denver, IA: northeast of Waterloo, well worth the trip
- Independence, IA: about 30 minutes east, and we see families from there regularly
If you’re not sure whether we’re a reasonable drive from you, give us a call. Chances are we’re closer than you think.
Frequently Asked Questions About Dog Boarding Cedar Falls Iowa
Is a temperament test required? Yes. All dogs must complete a one-time temperament test ($45) before boarding. Because daycare is included with every stay, we make sure every dog in the play group is a safe and happy fit. It’s a one-time thing, and it protects your dog just as much as everyone else’s.
Is there a fee for late pickup? If you pick up after 12pm on your dog’s last day, a $25 half-day daycare charge applies. Your dog will have already been out enjoying the morning with the group, so it’s only fair!
Is daycare really included at no extra charge? Yes, 100%. Every boarding guest plays during the day. There is no separate daycare fee, ever.
Do I need a reservation? Yes. We recommend booking ahead, especially around holidays and summer weekends. Deposits are required for Thanksgiving week and December 18 through January 6.
Can I board multiple dogs together? Absolutely. Additional dogs from the same family staying in the same kennel receive a $5 discount.
What vaccinations are required? Your dog will need to be current on core vaccinations. Contact us before your first visit and we’ll walk you through everything.
My dog has never boarded before, is that okay? Of course! First-timers are some of our favorite guests. We take introductions slowly and make sure every dog is comfortable before jumping into group play.
How far do people travel to board at Fast Tracks? We regularly see families from Waterloo, Hudson, Janesville, Denver, and Independence. If you’re within 30 to 45 minutes of Cedar Falls, we’re worth the drive.
Book Your Dog’s Stay
If you’re looking for dog boarding Cedar Falls Iowa dog owners recommend, where your dog actually gets to live their best life while you’re away and you’re not paying extra for the basics, we’d love to meet them.
Want to see what life at Fast Tracks looks like before you book? Follow us on Facebook and Snapchat for daily photos, videos, and a peek at what your dog’s day actually looks like here.
Fast Tracks Canine Activity Center 1702 E. Lake St (North Cedar), Cedar Falls, IA 50613 📞 (319) 429-4197
New Clients: Book Here Current Clients: Book Here
Fast Tracks Canine Activity Center has been proudly serving Cedar Falls, Waterloo, North Cedar, Hudson, Janesville, Denver, Independence, and surrounding northeast Iowa communities since 2014. We offer all-inclusive dog boarding, dog daycare, dog grooming, and dog training because your dog deserves more than a kennel.