My boy Vader has been to Sun Kiva a number of times with somewhat longer stays. He is always well cared for there. I met Louise over 15 years ago when I was looking for a new Rottie after my big guy passed. Although I hadn't needed kennel services until recently, I see other dogs coming and going and they all look healthy and happy. I highly recommend them to care for your fur baby(s}. I've even seen birds there! read more

Not there when we're trying to drop off our pets and it was during business hours. We are trying to go on a trip and we're now on a time crunch read more

Our girls (Cherry and Blossom) have been going to SunKiva for over 4 years. Every time we mention "Sun Kiva" or "Ms. Louis and/or Jessie" our dogs get so excited and try to run to the car. Here recently, we left them there for over a week to go on vacation. When we returned to pick them up, they were bathed, claws were trimmed, and they looked just as happy and healthy as ever. I would not trust any other boarding facility with my fur babies. They work hard all day, every day to take care of our pets, and they feel like part of our family. read more

Their rates only of 16 per night are very outdated. It costs 30 per night, they made no mention of the large difference in price, but claimed they did when I confronted them. I showed up at 9 to pick up my dogs. At 9:07 they arrived. My one dog came out covered in pee, obvious he wasn't let out that morning and possibly the previous night. When we got home they both peed for two minutes. First thing home from vacation was giving my dogs a bath and cleaning my pee covered car. I called to complain and they said well legally we don't have to post our prices in the lobby. Sure but it would be honest to at least have them updated online, or be willing to take money upfront when I offered, and the whole mess could've been avoided. Not my one dog covered in pee though, that's unforgivable. He's crate trained. They just didn't let him out. They may have 19.5 years in business, they were nice to me, but the vast price difference with no apology and my poor Sergei having to lay in his own pee, I'm not very happy. Here she replied to say I lied by omission. My dog was covered in owe Louise. You didn't let him out, he was covered in pee. You didn't mention the price change once. I'm glad you let me take him before hand but you didn't tell me the price would be twice what I thought it would! You also never used the treats I sent with them. It looked like you never opened the bag I sent with them. I said you both were nice! And my dogs were happy. That doesn't matter when one obviously laid in his pee all night. I've never seen them pee as long as they did when we got home. They weren't let out that morning, read more

5 stars, because there aren't 10! Furkids love it here. Been taking them to Louise for over 10 years. read more

Sun Kiva Kennels - Been taking my fur kids here for more than 10 years. They LOVE it . Would not take my dogs anyplace else. - Pet Sitting Near Me - Hawthorne, Florida

Mrs. Louise and Jessie do an amazing job! They really care about your pets, and treat them better than most are at home. They understand my old man with all his weird quirks/ high anxiety, and do everything to make his stay comfortable. We won't take our four legged family members anywhere else! read more

My family experienced a breakout of COVID and we contacted Sun Kiva to see if they could keep them for an undetermined amount of time while we recovered. The response with hesitation was "absolutely, bring them." Sun Kiva is more than a kennel. They treat you and your fur babies like family from the moment you enter the door. It's the primary reason we keep coming back. Our family loves Sun Kiva and you will also!! Check them out. read more

Louise is the BEST! Our fur babies love her. This was our first time boarding our pups so we were a bit nervous about it. Louise insisted that we bring them out prior to our trip to ensure that they would feel comfortable with her and the environment. They were super excited to return. Knowing that they were being completely cared for we were able to enjoy our trip. She truly really loves the animals. This is the best and most trustworthy place to take your animals (fur babies) to. If I could give more stars I would. read more

I have known Louise for over 6 years and her love of animals is Amazing. She is defiantly knowledgeable and will go the extra mile for any animal. I trust her with my most precious Babys. She is always willing to do whatever it takes to make them comfortable. I Highly recommend. read more

I've been a regular customer of Louise's for more than fifteen years. This is a family operation. They live on site (a farm property), and their love of animals is obvious. My dogs have always had the best care at Sun Kiva Kennels, and I never hesitate to leave them with Louise and her daughter, Jessica, who operates the kennel with her. They really go the extra mile to provide great service. read more

Only people I would trust to watch my dog. They go above and beyond every time. We've needed their help last minute and they are awesome everytime! High recommend!!!! read more

We travel several times a year and for years tried a different place every time for our pomeranian. Tried Sun-Kiva because it was enroute to our destination. It is the only place we have left our dog where it did not come home with some kind of a problem. The fact that it is also one of the least expensive is a bonus. Now we just go the 60 miles out of our way when we have to leave the dog. It's not fancy, but they are good. read more

My dogs love going to Sun Kiva and I feel like Louise and Jessica take care of them as they would their own pets. I highly recommend Sun Kiva for anyone needing to board their dogs. read more

I recently took a trip to FL and and I couldn't bring my two dogs to my grandmother's home because of her allergies. Sunkiva Kennels had been recommended to me by several of my family members and I thought I'd check them out. I was hesitant because I had never left my dogs with a stranger. I love this facility! The owners and staff make the pet parents and animals very welcome, they get special treats and food, and I immediately knew I had nothing to worry about. They were even honestly sad to see my babies leave. Louise and Jessie do a fabulous job and I highly recommend them to anyone who needs a safe and pleasant place to board their pets. read more

Louise and Jessica are the best!!! My husband and I feel comfortable leaving our babies there for going on 12 years now!

Great place would recommend this boarding facility if your in the area of Gainesville, FL area.

Leaving your pet with the wonderful folks at Sun Kiva Kennels is like leaving them with family. Our English Mastiff Maggie, runs to the door with her tail wagging so fast that you really need to stay out of the way or get bruised. Maggie just loves her "Aunt Louise"! Louise and her family are such loving and caring people, you can feel very good about leaving your pet there when necessary. Thanks Louise! read more

Louise & family are Amazing; my dogs love going there... Which makes vacation a pleasure.... I do not have to worry about them. Louise is great about responding when you enquire about your pet & will let you know if there is any problems ( such as them not eating )... Thank you Louise & family I can enjoy vacation again!! read more

This is a friendly, no-frills, unpretentious, family-run kennel. I've used their services many times and I continue to return for more. My dog is always happy to stay and I feel safe and comfortable leaving her at Sun-Kiva. You can't beat these prices for the level of care and attention you receive--I had her kennel cough vaccine updated on premise, I'm allowed to call any time to check up, and my dog also gets her medicines at no extra charge. In response to the one (only one!) poor review, I have to stick up for Sun-Kiva! It is actually _very_ possible that dog is was fine and healthy and happy during her stay; regardless of a dog's weight and stature, it can still lose a substantial amount of weight in a short time if its physical activity is suddenly and significantly increased. If a dog is not accustomed to kennels and isn't socialized, it's not the kennel's fault. After the extra trouble Louise went to in order to give my dog medicine, I find it very hard to believe she would not accommodate an anxious dog and do what was necessary to make it comfy and get it to eat. And, she would never keep such info from an owner. read more

I called every day to check on my dog. They always told me she was happy and eating well. She was there for a week. When I picked her up, she was SKIN AND BONES. She's already a thin dog, so this wasn't a case of an overweight dog just losing some weight from running around more. I'm sure she was anxious from being there, which could've contributed to some weight loss, but there is NO WAY she was eating regularly if she lost 7 lbs. in a week (she weights around 42 lbs normally). I will NEVER take my dog there again. I just don't trust them--I doubt they intentionally starved her, but they obviously didn't pay enough attention to her to notice that she was losing weight. They should have switched her to canned food, or at the very least, told me the TRUTH about how she was doing when I called! read more

Lilah loves Sun-Kiva. Whenever we hit the dirt road, she gets so excited. She loves being there. When she comes home, she sleeps for days. I know she had fun there. read more

I've got a storm/fireworks sensitive dog and she loves it out there (July 4th is much calmer out in Hawthorne than in Gainesville). She always seemed to dread any other place I would bring her for boarding. She's always excited when they show up to pick her up. Not only the best value in town, but the best care as far as I can tell. read more

My friends and I have taken our dogs to Sun Kiva since 2007. I trust Louise with not only my dog but with my foster dogs. The drive from Gainesville is absolutely worth it to ensure my fur babies are taken care of. I happily take my pup there even if it's an extra 25 minute drive because I know my dog will receive the best love and attention while in Louise and her daughter's care. The runs are the largest I've seen and there is a lot of yard space for the dogs to play. Louise genuinely cares about each and every animal. She really does know her customers by name and treats us like family. I've never had an issue and my dogs are always in good health and exhausted from so much playtime. I've tried multiple other places in the area and Sun Kiva is the best quality of care AND the best price in town. Louise is very responsive when I call while my dog is with her and she's happy to update me. I can't thank Sun Kiva enough for all the wonderful care I've received throughout the years. read more

We have tried numerous places in Gainesville for our lab mix and when Beefy stayed at Sunkiva for the first time back in 2006, we knew we had found his "vacation" home. Louise and her family are just wonderful and truly love the animals. They will pick-up and drop-off, clean, trim nails, and more. They live on the premises so you know the dogs are taken care of. They are always accommodating and flexible with drop off and pick up. Beefy just loves Louise - she came to pick him up at our home and he ran and jumped in her backseat. I will not take Beefy anywhere else. read more

I have 2 dogs. A Wire haired Pointing Griffon named "Smitty" and a Boston Terrier named Beetle Bailey. I have been using Sun Kiva for 2 years now and am VERY happy with this kennel. Louise and her daughter are great with my dogs, I never have to worry about them when they are in their care. I have always found Louise to be very helpful and concerned about all of her residents ! read more

For years we have using Sun Kiva for our dogs and sometimes cat and no matter how long or short the time is away from our pets, we are always assured they will be taken care of. They even provide a pickup service for an extra fee which is worth it if you have to leave early for a trip. We love Louise and Jessica and appreciate their "animal first, humans second " philosophy. You can't go wrong...Bob and Elizabeth read more

We went in to take a tour of the place to maybe board our two dachshunds. After we got there we left within ten minutes. when we got there we were ten minutes early. That was no problem. Several people had got there after us so we did not mind waiting so the other people could pick up there pets. The problem was the attitude of the attendant. Her first words to us were in a very rude voice "Your gonna have to wait instead of saying nicely "I'll be right with you". As we waited one of the ladies asked to use the restroom and she would not let her use one. Then after that another lady got bit by one of the dogs being picked up. probably the lady's fault for trying to pet an unfamiliar dog, but the issue was that the lady asked to wash her hand. The attendant rudely said we don't have a sink for you to wash your hands but there is a hose outside. The lady asked for some soap so she could wash the blood off her hand and the attendant rudely said again to the lady "I'll get you some in a minute." After that we decided to leave without a tour. As we walked out the door the Attendant rudely said "It's not 1:00 yet!!!. Sorry but that is not why we left. It was the way the people the were talked to. read more