Home Away From Home Pet Spa

Business Details

23 Years

experience

Emergency

services

Your Pet's Home Away From Home in Monterey

At Home Away From Home Pet Spa, we have dedicated ourselves to providing exceptional care for pets of all kinds since 2003. Our founder, Joel Jensen, combines his lifelong passion for animals with over two decades of experience in the pet care industry to create a welcoming environment where every pet is treated like family. We offer a comprehensive range of services including dog daycare, boarding, grooming, cat boarding, and specialized care for exotic pets, all designed to meet the unique needs of our clients. Our team of skilled professionals is committed to ensuring the safety, comfort, and happiness of every animal in our care, with a focus on personalized attention and compassionate service. We maintain rigorous health and safety standards, including requiring essential vaccinations and implementing tailored care plans for pets with special needs.

Located in Monterey, California, we serve both local residents and travelers, offering convenient curbside drop-off/pickup and shuttle services. Our facility features indoor/outdoor play areas, secure boarding accommodations, and a state-of-the-art fire protection system to ensure the highest level of safety. We actively participate in community initiatives like the Unchained program, helping rehabilitate at-risk dogs through youth mentorship. With flexible scheduling options and 24/7 emergency support, we strive to make pet care as stress-free as possible for owners while creating joyful experiences for their beloved companions.

Services

Dog Daycare Pet Boarding Pet Grooming Cat Boarding Pet Escort Dog Walking Beach Runs Fostering Puppy Care Exotics Boarding

Details

Year established: 2003

Highlights and features

Joel Jensen has operated Monterey pet spas since 2003 with military service experience
Personalized care plans for pets with special needs or behavioral requirements
VIP boarding option with owner's home-based care for select pets
24/7 emergency pet care services available
Community involvement through Unchained program youth-dog mentorship initiatives

What people say

Amazing staff Loved like family Special handling skills Clean safe environment Personalized care plans

Website

Update Listing

Services

Dog Daycare

Our dog daycare provides supervised social play in secure indoor/outdoor facilities. Pets enjoy structured play sessions with trained staff monitoring interactions. Weight-based pricing ensures appropriate groupings while special handling options accommodate unique needs. Daily itineraries include multiple outdoor play periods and nap times in clean, comfortable spaces.

VIP Boarding

Experience personalized home-based boarding with our owner Joel Jensen. Pets receive individualized attention in a family environment with daily facility access. Customized care plans include flexible sleeping arrangements and special dietary accommodations. Requires vaccination compliance and pre-stay evaluation to ensure optimal compatibility with our VIP program standards.

Pet Grooming

Professional grooming services include breed-specific haircuts, bathing, and nail care. Our skilled groomers handle standard and designer cuts with attention to detail. Additional services like flea treatments and de-shedding available. Pricing reflects pet size and coat complexity with special rates for regular clients through our 10-pack discount program.

Cat Boarding

Dedicated cat boarding facilities feature single and double condos with secure outdoor catio access. Quiet environment minimizes stress while daily monitoring ensures comfort. Services include feeding assistance, medication administration, and gentle handling for shy pets. Separate playtimes maintain feline dignity while meeting socialization needs.

Pet Escort

Reliable door-to-door pet transportation services cover local Monterey Peninsula areas and extended regions. Trained handlers ensure safe travel for boarding clients and veterinary visits. Specialized equipment accommodates pets with mobility challenges while maintaining comfort during transit. Available during morning and afternoon service windows.

People

Joel Jensen

Owner

Monterey pet spa operator since 2003 with military service background. Combines animal passion with community focus through Unchained program mentorship. Bachelor's degree from Middlebury Institute informs business approach emphasizing pet psychology and owner communication.

Questions

What vaccinations are required for pet services?

Rabies is mandatory. Dogs need Bordetella (within 6 months) and Distemper/Parvo (1 or 3-year). Canine Influenza requires two boosters. Cats need Feline Leukemia/FVRCP and Rabies.

Can intact pets use your facilities?

Yes, with $10 surcharge for special handling. Intact pets get separate accommodations to prevent conflicts and unplanned breeding situations.

Do you accommodate aggressive dogs?

Aggressive dogs receive isolated care with specialized handling. We cannot accept pets showing human aggression to ensure staff safety during handling.

What's included in your grooming packages?

Basic grooming includes shampoo, conditioning, drying, brushing, nail trim, and ear cleaning. Additional services like de-shedding and flea treatments available at extra cost.

How do you handle pets with medical needs?

We administer medications as directed and create customized care plans. Special pricing applies for complex treatments requiring additional staff time or specialized handling techniques.

What's your cancellation policy?

We recommend 24-hour notice for daycare and 72-hour notice for boarding. Emergency cancellations receive prorated refunds based on actual service usage.

Reviews (5)

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Tina Andrade

Feb 15, 2026 Report

Blitz loves going to Joels and the staff is awsome. He love playing with his friends and I dont worry about him when I have to board .him.

Aguilar

Aug 01, 2025 Report

I have been a client of this business for awhile now and have been happy with the services. Today however, I felt very disappointed. I went to pick up my dog and they couldnt find his leash. The workers did try to locate it and surmise that it went home with another client. The man there tried to give another old leash, I declined. I said I wanted my leash , (it was brand new) as I had just purchased it.

I asked if he was going to try to locate my leash. Thats when he stated ,I already told you 3 times, we cant find your leash. In the dog grooming places I have used in the past, this had never occurred . I am truly disappointed and wont be going back.

Kim A.

Jun 27, 2022 Report

Joel and his team are Amazing. I was very Leary to leave my fur pup with anyone until I met them. They greet my pup every time at the door acknowledging him by name and with warm hugs. They always make me feel there is never a stupid question or concerns. I now can go about my day knowing he is loved and cared for as though he was home with me. Thanks Joel and staff for such a great feeling when I'm away from my fur pup.

Chamene B.

Jun 09, 2022 Report

I am absolutely so disappointed that I brought my beautiful little rabbit Bambi to this establishment. The front desk was very rude and told me that our rabbit was stressed out and started biting her fur because we were late picking her up. She has never done that ever. When they brought her out she was missing a chunk of hair and stress shedding her hair was falling out please see picture. The front desk person also charged my card without asking.

She was also very unprofessional saying that she will sue me because we told her that we were going to give them a bad review. Absolutely a horrible person. I can't tell you how distressing this experience was.

Peggy H.

Jun 08, 2022 Report

I am a long-time customer, and have recently entrusted my new puppy to the loving care at Home Away From Home. All three dogs who have spent their days here over 15 years of being a customer have loved it. The pups leap out of the car and rush the door like a Swat Team, looking for love and fun. I had a recent emergency medical situation and asked for an extra weekend service, and they were instantly responsive and supportive. they spoil the humans as well as the critters! Love these folks.