Pet Resources
Related posts
If you’re moving to this area with a pet or you’re a brand new pet owner, congrats!
Read our pet-related blog posts, then peruse our resources for one of your most
cherished family members, including local parks, pet-sitters and veterinarians.
Local Parks (aka dog hangouts)
A walk and a romp in a local dog park can be just what you and your furry friend
need. Get out, meet new dogs and their owners, and get to know your 'hood.
Follow this link to see a map of dog parks near you—and read below about
what each has to offer.
Thorndike Field Dog Park, 99 Margaret Street, Arlington
Fenced-in gravel area, off-leash play, lots of shade.
Beaver Brook Reservation, 66 Mill Street, Belmont
On-leash dog park in a grassy and woodsy reservation.
Danehy Dog Park, 99 Sherman Street, Cambridge (Near Fresh Pond)
Dog Park is off of New Street. Fenced-in off-leash gravel park within a huge, grassy on-leash park area.
Fort Washington Park, Waverly St. between Talbot and Reardon, Cambridge
Fenced-in, off-leash park as part of a larger historic park.
Fresh Pond Dog Park, 250 Fresh Pond Way, Cambridge
A pond for swimming, and off-leash if you’re a Cambridge resident.
Gold Star Mother’s Park, Gore Street, Cambridge
Off-leash 6–9 AM for Cambridge residents.
Tudor Street Dog Park (aka Pacific Field), Tudor Street, Cambridge
Tucked away, but fenced in with gravel and grass. Off-leash for Cambridge dog owners.
Nunziato Field Dog Park, Putnam Street and Summer Street, Somerville
Standard gravel and dirt park, fenced-in, but no running water or obstacles.
Zero New Washington Street Dog Park, 0 New Washington St, Somerville
Fenced-in park with obstacle course and dog toys. Off-leash.
Watertown Dog Park, 65 Bacon Street, Watertown
Off-leash for Watertown residents. A grassy, fenced-in area.
Pet Sitting & Daycare Providers
There are lots of choices when you’re looking for someone to care for your pet while you move, and once you’re settled in. From dog walkers to day cares, to pet sitters, the list below gives you lots of options.
An affordable, easy-to-find option is the PetSmart chain of stores with a number of locations. Here’s the Cambridge one: PetSmart, 160 Alewife Brook Parkway, Cambridge, 617-349-3481
Or you can go the “doggy spa” route with these places, which cater to a more discerning type of dog owner. More expensive, yes, but with lots more perks and gorgeous facilities.
Crate-Escape, 3 locations in Belmont, Cambridge, and Boston
Belmont, 617-489-9003
Cambridge, 617-354-9003
Boston, 617-886-9003
Boston Dog Company, 535 Cambridge Street, Cambridge, 617-858-364
Dogwood Cottage, 20 Tremont Street, Melrose, 781-662-3939
PDCC (formerly Pawwtopia), 5 Forest Street, Arlington, 781-641-7900
Pooch Hotel, 285 Newtonville Avenue, Newton, 617-332-3503
If the above establishments feel too impersonal, you can go with a single-owner service:
Cambridge Canines, 1619 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, 617-767-5123
Canine to Five, Arlington, 617-584-6595
Finally, if you’re a lover of Airbnb and can’t get enough of this type of transaction, check out Rover or DogVacay and find a great sitter for your pet for an hour, a day, or a weekend.
Veterinarians
There are many vets out there—this alphabetical list includes well-reputed veterinarians and veterinary hospitals in the Boston area and the suburbs. Porter Square Vet (outside Davis Square) is my favorite. I’ve also have excellent experiences with the MA Vet Referral Hospital in Woburn.
Angell Animal Medical Center, 50 South Huntington Ave, Boston, 617-522-7282
Angell West, 293 Second Avenue, Waltham, 781-902-8400
Arlington Animal Clinic, 191 Broadway Street, Arlington, 781-646-0758
Back Bay Veterinary Clinic, 288 Newbury Street, Boston, 617-247-2273
Banfield Pet Hospital, 160 Alewife Brook Parkway, Cambridge, 617-354-1333
Cambridge Veterinary Care, 1724 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge, 617-661-6255
Huron Veterinary Hospital, 70 Beacon Street, Somerville, 617-661-9553
Merwin Memorial Free Clinic, 542 Cambridge Street, Allston, 617-782-5420
Massachusetts Vet Referral Hospital, 20 Cabot Road, Woburn, 781-932-5802
New England Vet Clinic, 204 Highland Avenue, Salem, 978-744-8325
Porter Square Vet, 360 Summer Street, Somerville, 617-628-5588
Winter Hill Vet Clinic, 257 Broadway Street, Somerville, 617-623-5075
