We are a full-service boarding and doggy daycare facility.

Located in Ford River, 7 miles south of Escanaba, MI.

A great place for your pet to vacation, so you can enjoy yours!

When you book a stay with us, you can rest assured that your pet will be treated with love & care from animal-obsessed humans aka our expert staff.

Play all day and relax all night. We have multiple play yards with tons of structures and toys. Lots of social enrichments to keep your pup active all day long. We provide “extras” for while they are relaxing at night in their personal kennels and suites, such as, frozen peanut butter and pumpkin kongs, lick mats and homemade treats made by Waggin Tails Bakery and Boutique and Donuts for Dogs.

What people are saying.

“Bonnie, our 1 year old German Shorthaired Pointer gets so excited when we bring her to Golden Acre Kennels. We love the extra space for Bonnie to play with other dogs — the kennels also give her plenty of room to move around.”

— Matt Stewart, customer since 2012

“Lisa, Sam and staff are absolutely amazing. My boy is a COVID pup so was never really properly socialized. They showed a great deal of love, compassion and patience and Sage quickly went from being a scared dog to super excited to spend time at Golden Acres. Doggie Daycare days are his favorite days of the week! I also love seeing all of the extras you all have been doing, especially around the holidays! So sweet for the pups.”

-Jennie Knapp, January 2022

“I would recommend them to anyone…and I do constantly. I have always felt completely comfortable leaving Pyra there for daycare and boarding. Sam loves her just like we do…and the videos I get of her all the time, they are adorable!”

-Kasja Nelson, February 2022

“Very nice people, they took good care of my 3 little dogs, all less than 8lbs. (I have never boarded dogs before and was worried because they are so little) I’d trust them again in a heartbeat. Thanks for caring for my babies.”

-Tina Marie, May 2022

“We were hesitant to board our dog since he is a senior pup with separation anxiety. Golden Acres does photo updates daily and we feel so at ease knowing he is well cared for and having a blast with new friends. Thank you so much Golden Acres!!!”

-Anna Garcia, July 2022

“Job interview. I can tell you they are animal lovers and that what I like to see. I am a dog mom. They have a nice set up and the dogs are in good hands.”

-Jackie Deveaux, a year ago

“Great place the staff is amazing thank you. Positive: Professionalism, Quality, Reliability, Value.”

-Joe and Laurie Tisler, 7 months ago

“First time boarding our 3 huskies in the area and it went great. Facility was clean and comfortable. They had a kennel large enough for our 3 girls to stay together. The outdoor area was big and secure so dogs were safe and no possibility of running away. Staff was so friendly, loving, and can tell they really care about the dogs. Facebook pictures and talking with staff helped ease our nerves for the first time boarding at a new kennel.
Thank you so much for taking care of our girls. Our girls will definitely be visiting again!”

-Stephanie Lovell, 6 months ago

“We wouldn't take our dog to a different place!! He's always so excited to get to Golden Acres!
They give the best care and attention to the 4-legged clients!”

-Carol Brown, 5 months ago

“My dog Mandy actually WANTS to come here! She jumps with excitement as soon as we turn down the dirt road. It is so wonderful to know she's getting the loving care and attention I would be giving her.”

-Olga Herman, a year ago

“My dog loves coming here, and doesn't look back when I bring him inside. He gets to play all day with other dogs and comes home tired and happy when vacation is over. I use this kennel a few times a year from 3-4 days to up to two weeks at a time.”

-M.S., 5 years ago

“For overnights or day care, I couldn't recommend a better place. Great staff and clean facilities! And they post pictures on Facebook so you can see what a great time your dog had.”

-Susan Bucheger, 2 years ago

“Lisa and her crew will take loving care of you pooch while on your travels.”

-Karl Linderoth, 2 years ago

“Very pleasant employees.”

-My little family fun, 3 years ago

“My dog does not usually bark, but as soon as I pull on to the road for the kennel, he just starts dancing and yapping in the back seat. He absolutely can not wait to get out of the car to come inside. He loves Lisa and her staff and they treat him like their own.”

-Cheryl Vader, 2021

“There is no better place to leave your fur baby than here. The staff are phenomenal, they love our fur kids just as much as we do. I have never had one worry about the care or love Archie receives when he stays. He is so excited to see his Sam and all of his friends!!! I’m so blessed to have found a place that loves my doodle as much as I love him!!!

-Gina Bozzo, 2022

”I’ve loved seeing all the cute extras you all have been doing, especially around the holidays! So sweet for the pups.”

-Jennie Knapp, 2022

Can not say enough good things about this kennel! Seriously, it’s the best. Our dog loves it! Recommend this kennel to all my friends.

-Lynn Paquin, June 2023

Amazing all around. My dog loves it here and I feel comfortable leaving him. The staff were warm and welcoming and even gave me a tour of the super clean facility. Should I mention it’s affordable as well?! LOVE!!

-Courtney M., 2018

Fantastic operation-with a great team! Took care of my chocolate lab Penny who didn’t want to come home after all the great care! My go to kennel when I visit the UP.

-J.D., 2021

I was extremely impressed with their professionalism and friendly service. My dog is not the easiest to care for.

-Debra Dubovsky, 2023

Very clean, friendly, and professional.

-Michelle Turner, 2023

Caring dog people, never worry about leaving my dogs here!

-Laura Strom, 2023

I’m an hour away and in a different time zone, but this place is so worth it. This is the first time I went on vacation and felt I could enjoy it more without worrying about how my dogs are doing. Both my large dogs had a very spacious room together, and between the employees calling me to let me know how they were doing, and the pictures they post of them playing made me feel at ease. Pretty sure they even washed the dogs up a little before I picked them up!

-Maddie Golueke, September 2022
I can not thank your staff enough for taking great care of my bos. TJ did such a beautiful job taking photos of them!!!! I have been recommending everyone I know with pups to go see him for photos and for boarding/daycare. 100/10 recommended!

-Alexis Heyrman, 2023

Golden Acres NEVER DISAPPOINTS!!! Looks like Bella, Klohe, and Callie are having a BLAST like always when their moms let them stay home. Thank you to everyone there.

-Beth Heiden, 2021

Lisa Block does an amazing job taking care of fur babies.

-Lisa Schroder Ingebrigtsen, 2019

Our Rylee had an excellent time at Golden Acre Kennels. It felt good to leave him in the hands of such a caring family that I have known for many years. He enjoyed his fun “add-on” treats, and we enjoyed the photo updates. Thanks for a fun place for our boy.

-Casey Deshambo, 2023

My fur baby just got back from there. They both had a great time. Lisa’s group are awesome.

-Deb Sevick Champion, 2020

Nice people who actually care about dogs! It was a relief to find this place after trying one or two others. No over-crowding and no stressed dogs!

-Rory Walton, 2018

Maggie loves going there!

-Paul and Jan Varoni, 2021

We put our pups there for the first time (two weekends actually) this month and it was great.

-Jen Gartland, 2023

They are absolutely fabulous there! Mya stayed there and now Hanna does if need be. And you know how choosy I am with who is with my dogs!

-Amy Savage, 2023

Our Spotty boy liked going to Golden Acre Kennels! Fiona doesn’t do so well in a kenneled environment but they were patient with her when she did go.

-Kay Larson, 2018

We survived doggy daycare! Ford passed with flying colors, while I was a stress box! Thank you Golden Acre Kennels and Sam Carlson for taking such great care of my boy!

-Ashley Kathryn, 2023

Vassa (xxl intact male) had an awesome extended stay at Golden Acre! They are very accommodating and knowledgeable! Frequent updates and great with communication! Will definitely use again!!!!

-Stacey Elder, 2023

I was so happy with my first experience there! My dogs aren’t ever with other dogs so I felt nervous how they would do. The staff put my mind at ease explaining how they would slowly introduce them to other dogs. My dogs came home happy and tired after a day of play and the pics on Facebook are proof of it! Looking forward to using them again!

-Sarah Miron, 2022

Our two golden retrievers are well cared for. We have used Golden Acre Kennels for many years.

-Peter Van Steen, 2022

Just a few days after Labor Day, 2024, we used this facility as we were camping with our 18-yr-old Chihuahua mix in the area. On a whim, my husband and I decided to take a boat trip in Munising which would have left our little guy in the camper for too long alone. The late afternoon before our trip, I called Golden Acres Kennels. I was greeted on the phone with professionalism and concern, along with a wonderful opening for them to accept him for day care or if at the last minute, an overnight stay. On our arrival at 9 a.m. the next morning, the facility was very clean, nicely laid out, and very nice staff. We brought his bed and kennel and food along to keep him content. They were very accommodating for his quirkiness, and his less than friendly behavior for other K-9s. We were able to pick him up by 5 p.m. He was happy and no worse for the wear! $25 for day care, especially with our last minute request, was worth it for our peace of mind. Of course, I understand that last minute accommodations aren't necessarily met in this beautiful vacation area year round...but I'd certainly try to ask AND plan ahead for future day care or overnight stays for our dog or any future pup! Thank you!

-Michelle Bittick, 2024

Sam and crew were so wonderful to our boy. Clean, courteous, and so caring. Costs less than average. Lots of Facebook updates to check on the dog. Super cute treats for purchase. We can't wait to take Lou back.

-Angie Tapper, 2024

Bella loves staying at Golden Acres. Plenty of play with other dogs supervised by caring staff. I enjoy the videos of the dogs at play. I feel comfortable leaving my beloved dog here.

-Lillian Nedeau, 2025