Kennels open on Christmas Day? Holiday check-in hours 2026
Last checked: 25 Oct 2026 · 35 providers in Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane · every entry linked to the provider's own website
Your flight leaves on Boxing Day, or you're back on New Year's Day. Can you actually drop off or collect your pet? Most kennels and catteries close their doors on public holidays, and this year there's an extra one on Monday 28 December. This page shows which of the 35 providers we track close or cut their hours on the seven days that matter.
At a glance
- 0 of 35 publish Christmas Day check-in hours
- 21 say they are closed on Christmas Day
- 16 are closed on all four public holidays (25, 26, 28 Dec, 1 Jan)
- 9 publish dated Christmas/New Year hours; 12 only a general public holiday rule
- 14 don't publish holiday hours yet (4 say "as advised")
Watch Monday 28 December. Boxing Day is on a Saturday, so Monday 28 December 2026 is an extra public holiday in Victoria, NSW and Queensland. At a kennel that closes on public holidays and Sundays, such as Cottage Kennels and Cattery, SmallPaws Pet Hotel, Hotel for Cats or Amore Boarding, there is no check-in or pick-up from Friday 25 to Monday 28 December.
The seven days that matter
Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve are normal working days, but several kennels cut their hours. The other days below are public holidays in all three states, plus Sunday 27 December, when some kennels are always closed.
| Day | VIC | NSW | QLD |
|---|---|---|---|
| Christmas Eve (Thursday 24 December 2026) | Normal day | Normal day | Normal day; public holiday from 6pm |
| Christmas Day (Friday 25 December 2026) | Public holiday | Public holiday | Public holiday |
| Boxing Day (Saturday 26 December 2026) | Public holiday | Public holiday | Public holiday |
| Sunday 27 December 2026 | Normal day | Normal day | Normal day |
| Monday 28 December 2026 (additional Boxing Day holiday) | Public holiday | Public holiday | Public holiday |
| New Year's Eve (Thursday 31 December 2026) | Normal day | Normal day | Normal day |
| New Year's Day (Friday 1 January 2027) | Public holiday | Public holiday | Public holiday |
Who has published what
- Dated Christmas hours (9): All 4 Paws and Claws Resort, Aragon Cattery, Coltrandi Pet Specialists, Cottage Kennels and Cattery, Dogs Country Club & Kennel Resort, Dogs in Town (kennel-free home boarding), Hallam Park Pet Resort, Sydney Pet Resort and The Links Pet Centre.
- A general rule only (12): Amore Boarding, Animal Aid Boarding Kennels & Cattery, Barnstone Kennels & Cattery, Hotel for Cats, Kooronya Boarding Kennel and Cattery, Pet Resorts Australia – Port Melbourne, Pet Resorts Australia Dural, Pet Resorts Australia Gumdale, Pet Resorts Australia Ingleside, Pet Resorts Australia Narangba, Pet Resorts Australia Samford and SmallPaws Pet Hotel. We've applied it to the 2026 public holidays. Days that aren't public holidays show "No change published".
- "As advised" (4): Kip Bayside, Kip Brisbane Cat & Dog Boarding, Kip Marrickville and Kip Melbourne South East. The Kip location pages say public holiday hours are "as advised".
- Not published (10): AAA Pet Resort Brisbane, Donvale Cattery, Hanrob Pet Hotels Brisbane Airport, Hanrob Pet Hotels Melbourne Airport, Hanrob Pet Hotels Sydney Airport, Kepala Pet Resort, Pawfect Stay, Sophisticat Resort, Sparrows In The Tree Top and Tullamarine Cat Boarding. Ask when you book.
Melbourne: Christmas and New Year check-in hours
| Provider | Thu 24 Dec | Fri 25 Dec | Sat 26 Dec | Sun 27 Dec | Mon 28 Dec | Thu 31 Dec | Fri 1 Jan | Closed days (of 7) | What they publish |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hallam Park Pet Resort Hallam · Kennel & Cattery | Last day before the closure (hours not stated) | Closed | Closed | Closed | Closed | Closed | Closed | 6 | Publishes Christmas/New Year hours. "The office will be closed to the public from Christmas day. We will re-open the office for limited hours on the 3rd of January 2027 (9.00am - 12.00 noon)." source for Hallam Park Pet Resort holiday hours (opens in a new tab), checked 25 Oct 2026 Reopens: 3 Jan 2027, 9am–12 noon (limited hours) |
| Cottage Kennels and Cattery Plenty · Kennel & Cattery | Usual check-in 8am–2pm | Closed public holiday | Closed public holiday | Closed Sundays | Closed public holiday | Limited Office closes 12pm | Closed public holiday | 5 | Publishes Christmas/New Year hours. "Sunday: CLOSED · Public Holidays: CLOSED". "Our office closes early at 12pm on … Tuesday 29th December, Wednesday 30th December and Thursday 31st December." Check-in Mon–Fri 8am–2pm, Sat 8:30am–2pm. source for Cottage Kennels and Cattery holiday hours (opens in a new tab), checked 25 Oct 2026 |
| Animal Aid Boarding Kennels & Cattery Coldstream · Kennel & Cattery | Usual 8:30am–3:30pm | Closed public holiday | Closed public holiday | Usual 8:30am–3:30pm | Closed public holiday | Usual 8:30am–3:30pm | Closed public holiday | 4 | General public holiday rule only. "Animal drop offs and pick-ups will be accepted between 8:30am and 3.30pm (Closed Public Holidays)." Dog kennels are fully booked for Christmas and New Year. source for Animal Aid Boarding Kennels & Cattery holiday hours (opens in a new tab), checked 25 Oct 2026 |
| Dogs Country Club & Kennel Resort Baxter · Kennel | Limited 9am–12 noon | Closed | Limited 9am–12 noon | Closed | Closed | Limited 9am–12 noon | Closed | 4 | Publishes Christmas/New Year hours. 2026 calendar (PDF linked from the contact page) colour-codes each day: Closed / Open 1pm–4pm / Open 9am–12noon. Also closed Wednesdays all year; reopens 2 Jan (9am–12 noon) and 3 Jan (1pm–4pm). source for Dogs Country Club & Kennel Resort holiday hours (opens in a new tab), checked 25 Oct 2026 Reopens: 2 Jan 2027, 9am–12 noon |
| Pet Resorts Australia – Port Melbourne Port Melbourne · Kennel & Cattery | No change published | Closed public holiday | Closed public holiday | No change published | Closed public holiday | No change published | Closed public holiday | 4 | General public holiday rule only. Opening hours list "Public holidays: Closed". source for Pet Resorts Australia – Port Melbourne holiday hours (opens in a new tab), checked 25 Oct 2026 |
| All 4 Paws and Claws Resort Dixons Creek · Kennel & Cattery | Usual 9am–5pm | Closed | Limited 9am–2pm (charged from Christmas Eve) | Usual 9am–5pm | Not published Public holiday: not stated (double daily charge if allowed) | Usual 9am–5pm | Closed | 2 | Publishes Christmas/New Year hours. "We are CLOSED to the Public on Christmas Day, New Years Day and Easter Sunday." "BOXING DAY 26th December HOURS ARE 9am TO 2pm"; "If checking in on Boxing Day (Public Holiday) it is taken from Christmas Eve." Public holiday check-ins/outs, where allowed, are charged a double daily charge. Usual hours 9am–5pm, 7 days. source for All 4 Paws and Claws Resort holiday hours (opens in a new tab), checked 25 Oct 2026 |
| Kooronya Boarding Kennel and Cattery Moorooduc · Kennel & Cattery | Usual hours 9am–5pm | Closed | Not on the closed list (usual Sat 9am–5pm) | Usual Sun 9am–3pm | Not on the closed list (usual Mon 9am–3pm) | Usual hours 9am–5pm | Closed | 2 | General public holiday rule only. "Closed: Christmas Day, New Years Day, Good Friday, and Easter Sunday." Usual hours Sun–Mon 9am–3pm, Tue–Sat 9am–5pm. source for Kooronya Boarding Kennel and Cattery holiday hours (opens in a new tab), checked 25 Oct 2026 |
| Donvale Cattery Donvale · Cattery | Not published | Not published Hours vary on public holidays | Not published Hours vary on public holidays | Not published | Not published Hours vary on public holidays | Not published | Not published Hours vary on public holidays | 0 | Not published. "These hours do vary over public holiday times. Over long weekends, final drop offs are the day before the weekend and we reopen for pickups the final afternoon of each long weekend." Usual hours Mon–Fri 8–10am and 4–6pm, Sat 8–11am, Sun closed (4–6pm in school holidays). source for Donvale Cattery holiday hours (opens in a new tab), checked 25 Oct 2026 |
| Hanrob Pet Hotels Melbourne Airport Tullamarine · Kennel & Cattery | Not published | Not published | Not published | Not published | Not published | Not published | Not published | 0 | Not published. Location page: "We are open 7 days a week!" source for Hanrob Pet Hotels Melbourne Airport holiday hours (opens in a new tab), checked 25 Oct 2026 |
| Kepala Pet Resort Diggers Rest · Kennel & Cattery | Not published | Not published | Not published | Not published | Not published | Not published | Not published | 0 | Not published. Business hours: Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri 8:30am–4pm; Wed 8:30am–12:30pm (appointment only); Sat 8:30am–12:30pm; Sun by appointment 10am–12pm, and 2pm–4pm. Christmas/New Year 2026 is fully booked. source for Kepala Pet Resort holiday hours (opens in a new tab), checked 25 Oct 2026 |
| Kip Bayside Moorabbin · Kennel | No change published | As advised | As advised | No change published | As advised | No change published | As advised | 0 | "As advised". Location page: "Public Holidays: as advised". source for Kip Bayside holiday hours (opens in a new tab), checked 25 Oct 2026 |
| Kip Melbourne South East Dandenong South · Kennel & Cattery | No change published | As advised | As advised | No change published | As advised | No change published | As advised | 0 | "As advised". Location page: "Public Holidays: as advised". source for Kip Melbourne South East holiday hours (opens in a new tab), checked 25 Oct 2026 |
| Sophisticat Resort Moorabbin · Cattery | Not published | Not published | Not published | Not published | Not published | Not published | Not published | 0 | Not published. Business hours: Mon–Fri 9am–4:30pm, Sat 9am–1pm, Sun 12pm–4:30pm. "Penalties may apply if these hours are not adhered to." source for Sophisticat Resort holiday hours (opens in a new tab), checked 25 Oct 2026 |
| Sparrows In The Tree Top Yarrambat · Kennel & Cattery | Not published | Not published | Not published | Not published | Not published | Not published | Not published | 0 | Not published. Office 7:30am–4pm, Monday–Saturday. Inspections exclude public holidays. source for Sparrows In The Tree Top holiday hours (opens in a new tab), checked 25 Oct 2026 |
| Tullamarine Cat Boarding Tullamarine · Cattery | Not published | Not published | Not published | Not published | Not published | Not published | Not published | 0 | Not published. Opening hours: Mon–Fri 9–11:30am and 3:30–5pm; Sat 10am–12pm; Sun 10am–12pm and 4–6pm. After-hours check-in/out costs extra. source for Tullamarine Cat Boarding holiday hours (opens in a new tab), checked 25 Oct 2026 |
Sydney: Christmas and New Year check-in hours
| Provider | Thu 24 Dec | Fri 25 Dec | Sat 26 Dec | Sun 27 Dec | Mon 28 Dec | Thu 31 Dec | Fri 1 Jan | Closed days (of 7) | What they publish |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aragon Cattery Arcadia · Cattery | Closed 24 Dec | Closed public holiday | Closed public holiday | Closed Sundays | Closed public holiday | Closed 31 Dec | Closed public holiday | 7 | Publishes Christmas/New Year hours. "Sundays and Public Holidays – Closed for all appointments. 24th & 31st December each year – Closed for all appointments." Drop-off and pick-up by appointment, Monday to Saturday. source for Aragon Cattery holiday hours (opens in a new tab), checked 25 Oct 2026 |
| Amore Boarding Kenthurst · Kennel | Usual 7–10am, 4–6pm | Closed public holiday | Closed public holiday | Closed Sundays | Closed public holiday | Usual 7–10am, 4–6pm | Closed public holiday | 5 | General public holiday rule only. "Opening Hours for pick up and drop off: Monday to Saturday 7:00 am - 10:00am 4:00 pm - 6:00pm Sunday & Public Holidays - Closed". source for Amore Boarding holiday hours (opens in a new tab), checked 25 Oct 2026 |
| Hotel for Cats Blakehurst · Cattery | Usual Mon–Sat times | Closed public holiday | Closed public holiday | Closed Sundays | Closed public holiday | Usual Mon–Sat times | Closed public holiday | 5 | General public holiday rule only. "Please note that there are no check-ins or check-outs on Sundays or public holidays." Check-in from 12pm, check-out by 11am, Monday to Saturday. source for Hotel for Cats holiday hours (opens in a new tab), checked 25 Oct 2026 |
| SmallPaws Pet Hotel Duffys Forest · Kennel | Usual Mon–Sat hours | Closed public holiday | Closed public holiday | Closed Sundays | Closed public holiday | Usual Mon–Sat hours | Closed public holiday | 5 | General public holiday rule only. "Office is closed Sundays & Public Holidays." Drop-offs 7:30am–2:30pm and pick-ups 7:30am–3:30pm, Monday to Saturday. source for SmallPaws Pet Hotel holiday hours (opens in a new tab), checked 25 Oct 2026 |
| Barnstone Kennels & Cattery Duffys Forest · Kennel & Cattery | Usual 8am–12pm, 1pm–5pm | Closed public holiday | Closed public holiday | Usual Sun 2pm–5pm | Closed public holiday | Usual 8am–12pm, 1pm–5pm | Closed public holiday | 4 | General public holiday rule only. Opening hours: Mon–Fri 8am–12pm and 1pm–5pm; Sat 8am–12pm and 1pm–4pm; Sun 2pm–5pm; "Public Holidays: Closed". source for Barnstone Kennels & Cattery holiday hours (opens in a new tab), checked 25 Oct 2026 |
| Pet Resorts Australia Dural Dural · Kennel & Cattery | No change published | Closed public holiday | Closed public holiday | No change published | Closed public holiday | No change published | Closed public holiday | 4 | General public holiday rule only. Opening hours list "Public holidays: Closed". source for Pet Resorts Australia Dural holiday hours (opens in a new tab), checked 25 Oct 2026 |
| Pet Resorts Australia Ingleside Ingleside · Kennel | No change published | Closed public holiday | Closed public holiday | No change published | Closed public holiday | No change published | Closed public holiday | 4 | General public holiday rule only. Opening hours list "Public holidays: Closed". source for Pet Resorts Australia Ingleside holiday hours (opens in a new tab), checked 25 Oct 2026 |
| Sydney Pet Resort Vineyard · Kennel & Cattery | Limited 8am–11am | Closed | Closed | Usual Sunday hours | Closed | Limited 8am–11am | Closed | 4 | Publishes Christmas/New Year hours. Public holidays table: "Christmas Eve Thursday, 24 December 2026 8am-11am · Christmas Day … Closed · Boxing Day … Closed · Additional Day Monday, 28 December 2026 Closed · New Years Eve Thursday, 31 December 2026 8am-11am · New Years Day Friday, 1 January 2027 Closed". source for Sydney Pet Resort holiday hours (opens in a new tab), checked 25 Oct 2026 |
| Dogs in Town (kennel-free home boarding) Alexandria · Home boarding | Open 8am–4pm | Closed | Limited Alexandria only, check-in/out 10am–2pm | Limited Alexandria only, check-in/out 10am–2pm | Limited Alexandria only, check-in/out 10am–2pm | Limited Limited, 8am–2pm | Closed | 2 | Publishes Christmas/New Year hours. Holiday hours 2026/2027: 24 Dec all locations 8am–4pm; 25 Dec closed; 26–28 Dec Alexandria "Check-in/out only" 10am–2pm (other locations closed); 29–30 Dec limited 7am–6:30pm; 31 Dec limited 8am–2pm (Edgecliff closed); 1 Jan closed. source for Dogs in Town (kennel-free home boarding) holiday hours (opens in a new tab), checked 25 Oct 2026 |
| Hanrob Pet Hotels Sydney Airport Mascot · Kennel & Cattery | Not published | Not published | Not published | Not published | Not published | Not published | Not published | 0 | Not published. Location page: "We are open 7 days a week!" source for Hanrob Pet Hotels Sydney Airport holiday hours (opens in a new tab), checked 25 Oct 2026 |
| Kip Marrickville Marrickville · Kennel | No change published | As advised | As advised | No change published | As advised | No change published | As advised | 0 | "As advised". Location page: "Public Holidays: as advised". source for Kip Marrickville holiday hours (opens in a new tab), checked 25 Oct 2026 |
| Pawfect Stay Londonderry · Kennel | Not published | Not published | Not published | Not published | Not published | Not published | Not published | 0 | Not published. Trading hours: Mon–Fri 8:30am–4:30pm, Sat 8:30am–4pm, Sun 8:30am–12pm. source for Pawfect Stay holiday hours (opens in a new tab), checked 25 Oct 2026 |
Brisbane: Christmas and New Year check-in hours
| Provider | Thu 24 Dec | Fri 25 Dec | Sat 26 Dec | Sun 27 Dec | Mon 28 Dec | Thu 31 Dec | Fri 1 Jan | Closed days (of 7) | What they publish |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Links Pet Centre Goodna · Kennel & Cattery | Limited Last check-in day | Closed | Closed | Closed | Closed | Closed | Closed | 6 | Publishes Christmas/New Year hours. "Christmas Day, Boxing Day, 27th, 28th, 29th, 30th, 31st December, New Year's Day … Closed." "Our last day of check in for Christmas is Christmas Eve and then we don't open the office until the 2nd January, 2025" (the year on the page hasn't been updated, so confirm the 2027 date). source for The Links Pet Centre holiday hours (opens in a new tab), checked 25 Oct 2026 Reopens: 2 January (page still says 2025; confirm) |
| Coltrandi Pet Specialists Gumdale · Kennel & Cattery | Usual 8–11am, 3–5pm | Closed | Closed | Closed Sundays | Limited 8am–11am (public holiday; call to confirm) | Usual 8–11am, 3–5pm | Closed | 4 | Publishes Christmas/New Year hours. "Public Holidays: 8am – 11am except Christmas Day, Boxing Day, New Years Day and Good Friday. Please call us to confirm public holiday pick up and drop of times." Mon–Fri 8–11am and 3–5pm; Sat 8am–12pm; Sunday closed. source for Coltrandi Pet Specialists holiday hours (opens in a new tab), checked 25 Oct 2026 |
| Pet Resorts Australia Gumdale Gumdale · Kennel & Cattery | No change published | Closed public holiday | Closed public holiday | No change published | Closed public holiday | No change published | Closed public holiday | 4 | General public holiday rule only. Opening hours list "Public holidays: Closed". source for Pet Resorts Australia Gumdale holiday hours (opens in a new tab), checked 25 Oct 2026 |
| Pet Resorts Australia Narangba Narangba · Kennel & Cattery | No change published | Closed public holiday | Closed public holiday | No change published | Closed public holiday | No change published | Closed public holiday | 4 | General public holiday rule only. Opening hours list "Public holidays: Closed". source for Pet Resorts Australia Narangba holiday hours (opens in a new tab), checked 25 Oct 2026 |
| Pet Resorts Australia Samford Draper (Samford) · Kennel & Cattery | No change published | Closed public holiday | Closed public holiday | No change published | Closed public holiday | No change published | Closed public holiday | 4 | General public holiday rule only. Opening hours list "Public holidays: Closed". source for Pet Resorts Australia Samford holiday hours (opens in a new tab), checked 25 Oct 2026 |
| AAA Pet Resort Brisbane Moggill · Kennel & Cattery | Not published | Not published | Not published | Not published | Not published | Not published | Not published | 0 | Not published. Brisbane hours: Mon–Fri 7–11am and 2–5:45pm; Sat 8am–12pm; Sun 2–4pm. (AAA's Gold Coast resort, which we don't list, publishes public holiday closures; the Brisbane page doesn't.) source for AAA Pet Resort Brisbane holiday hours (opens in a new tab), checked 25 Oct 2026 |
| Hanrob Pet Hotels Brisbane Airport Eagle Farm · Kennel & Cattery | Not published | Not published | Not published | Not published | Not published | Not published | Not published | 0 | Not published. Location page: "We are open 7 days a week!" source for Hanrob Pet Hotels Brisbane Airport holiday hours (opens in a new tab), checked 25 Oct 2026 |
| Kip Brisbane Cat & Dog Boarding Kurwongbah · Kennel & Cattery | No change published | As advised | As advised | No change published | As advised | No change published | As advised | 0 | "As advised". Location page: "Public Holidays: as advised". source for Kip Brisbane Cat & Dog Boarding holiday hours (opens in a new tab), checked 25 Oct 2026 |
"Closed" means the provider's website says check-in, check-out or the office is closed that day, either for that date or under a rule such as "closed public holidays". "Limited" means shorter hours or check-in/out only. "Not published" means we found nothing on the provider's own website. It doesn't mean they're open. Hours can change, so confirm when you book.
How to plan drop-off and pick-up around the closures
- Book your travel around the kennel, not the other way round. If you fly out on 25 or 26 December, most kennels need your pet by Christmas Eve, and some earlier: Aragon Cattery takes no appointments on 24 December, and The Links Pet Centre's last Christmas check-in is Christmas Eve.
- Check the extra Monday. 28 December is a public holiday this year. Coltrandi opens 8am–11am on public holidays other than Christmas Day, Boxing Day, New Year's Day and Good Friday, so 28 December should fall in that window (it asks you to call to confirm). Most of the others that close on public holidays will be closed that day.
- Know the long closures. Hallam Park Pet Resort's office is closed to the public from Christmas Day until 3 January 2027. The Links Pet Centre is closed 25 December to 1 January. Dogs Country Club & Kennel Resort is closed 27–30 December (open 9am–12 noon on 24, 26 and 31 December).
- A closure can stretch your minimum stay. If you can't collect until the kennel reopens, you pay for those extra days, and Christmas minimum stays (7–14 days at many kennels) apply on top. Compare them in Christmas minimum stays, deposits & cancellation rules.
- Expect public holiday surcharges. Several providers add a public holiday surcharge, and there are four public holidays in eight days. Check the rates on each provider page.
- Get the check-in window in writing. Holiday sessions are short (Sydney Pet Resort: 8am–11am on Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve). Arriving late can mean no check-in or an after-hours fee.
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Where to check availability and rules
Hours are only part of it. See who has published "fully booked" or "limited" notices in each city's tracker: Melbourne Christmas 2026 tracker · Sydney Christmas 2026 tracker · Brisbane Christmas 2026 tracker. Compare minimum stays, deposits and cancellation deadlines, read the Christmas boarding checklist, or filter all 35 providers.
Questions about holiday check-in hours
Can I drop my dog at a kennel on Christmas Day?
Probably not. None of the 35 kennels and catteries we track in Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane publishes Christmas Day check-in hours, and 21 of them say they are closed to the public on 25 December (some directly, some because they close on all public holidays). Plan to drop off on Christmas Eve or earlier. Your pet is still cared for on the day; it's only the office that closes.
Is Monday 28 December 2026 a public holiday?
Yes, in Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland. Boxing Day falls on Saturday 26 December, so Monday 28 December is an additional public holiday. Kennels that close on public holidays are likely to be shut that Monday too, which can mean four days in a row (Friday to Monday) with no check-in or pick-up.
Which kennels are open for pick-up on Boxing Day?
Among the providers we track, All 4 Paws and Claws Resort (9am–2pm (charged from Christmas Eve)), Dogs Country Club & Kennel Resort (9am–12 noon) and Dogs in Town (kennel-free home boarding) (Alexandria only, check-in/out 10am–2pm) publish Boxing Day hours. Kooronya Boarding Kennel only lists Christmas Day and New Year's Day as closed days. Everyone else is closed or doesn't say.
When is the last day to check in before Christmas?
It depends on the kennel. The Links Pet Centre (Brisbane) says its last Christmas check-in is Christmas Eve. Aragon Cattery (Sydney) takes no appointments on 24 December, Sundays or public holidays, so its last regular appointment day before Christmas is Wednesday 23 December. Hallam Park (Melbourne) closes its office to the public from Christmas Day until 3 January 2027.
Do I still pay for the days the kennel is closed?
Yes. Your pet stays and is cared for on closed days. Kennels charge per day (often per calendar day), and many add public holiday surcharges, for example $20 at The Links Pet Centre and $21 per dog at Sydney Pet Resort. All 4 Paws and Claws says a Boxing Day check-in is charged from Christmas Eve.
Can I collect my pet on New Year's Day?
Usually not. 21 of the 35 providers we track say they are closed on 1 January 2027 (directly or under a public holiday rule); none publishes New Year's Day pick-up hours. Sydney Pet Resort opens 8am–11am on New Year's Eve, and Dogs Country Club opens again on Saturday 2 January (9am–12 noon).
Method
On 25 Oct 2026 we read each provider's own contact, opening-hours, FAQ, terms and Christmas pages and recorded what they publish about check-in and check-out over Christmas and New Year. Each row links to the page it came from. Where a provider publishes only a general rule (for example "Public holidays: Closed"), we applied it to the 2026/27 public holidays from the official state lists above. We didn't use Google listings, directories or social media. AAA Pet Resort's Gold Coast resort publishes public holiday closures, but its Brisbane page doesn't, so Brisbane shows "Not published". Providers can send us their holiday hours, free.
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