Park9 runs dog daycare (Playcare) at two Toronto locations — Downtown at 56 Sherbourne St and Pearson YYZ at 9 Meteor Dr, Etobicoke — with a shuttle service connecting them. The daily routine is built around structured play groups, a scheduled midday rest block, and live 24/7 webcams in every playroom so owners can check in any time. Daycare starts at $36 per day for up to 3 hours, and every new dog gets a complimentary first full day as part of the Meet & Greet assessment. This guide walks through what a typical Playcare day looks like.
Dogs figure out the schedule within a week — play, rest, eat, play again — and once they do, drop-offs stop being a production. Here’s what actually happens between the morning walk through the door and the evening pickup.
Morning Drop-Off (7:00–9:30 a.m.)
Both Park9 locations open at 7 a.m. Pearson YYZ is open 365 days a year and staffed 24 hours; Downtown follows a Monday–Friday 7am–7pm, Saturday 9am–5pm schedule.
If you’re catching an early flight out of Toronto Pearson, you can drop your dog at the YYZ boarding resort before you park — we’re minutes from the airport and the boarding facility sits on the same property. That’s one of the reasons a lot of our clients use Pearson as their home base for travel days: no favors needed from neighbors, no juggling.
If you live or work Downtown, you have two options. You can drop your dog at our Downtown location at 56 Sherbourne St for a full day of Playcare and grooming, or you can drop them there and we’ll shuttle them up to Pearson YYZ for boarding. The shuttle runs both ways and costs $25 each way.
Handing off medication: If your dog is on medication, this is when you hand it over — in the original container with written instructions. Verbal instructions get lost in the shuffle. Write it down.
By 9:30, everyone is sorted into their playgroups.
How the Playcare Groups Work
Dogs at Park9 are grouped by size, energy level, and play style — not by age or breed. A calm Great Dane and a calm Beagle might share a yard; a pushy adolescent Lab gets matched with the rough-and-tumble crew regardless of what breed they are.
Our trainers watch every dog closely during the first few sessions and move them between groups if the fit isn’t right. A mismatch isn’t a failure — it’s just information, and adjusting groups is a normal part of how we keep play safe and enjoyable.
Each group has a dedicated supervisor whose only job is watching the room. Not phones, not clipboards. Watching. Every playroom also has its own live webcam so you can see it for yourself — all clients get 24/7 webcam access through their online account.
Midday: The Nap Nobody Wants but Everybody Needs
Around midday, play stops on purpose. Lights go down, music goes on, and dogs that need a break from the group are settled into individual suites for a rest block. This isn’t padding — it’s the single most effective thing we do to prevent scuffles and injuries in the afternoon.
Dogs that play flat-out all day without a break are the ones who get cranky by 3 p.m., and cranky dogs are the ones who get into it with each other. The midday rest is the cheapest injury prevention in the building.
Lunch happens here too, if your dog is a midday eater. Most adult dogs aren’t — twice a day is the norm — but puppies under six months usually need that third meal. Staff will feed on your schedule if you bring the food.
Pickup (4:30–7:00 p.m.)
Downtown Playcare pickup runs until 7 p.m. Pearson YYZ pickup runs until 7 p.m. as well, but arrangements can be made to extend pickup up until midnight for boarding clients who need the extra flexibility.
When you pick up, you’ll get a report card: which groups your dog was in, appetite, bathroom habits, and anything worth noting. Read it. Patterns in those cards are how you catch food sensitivities or soreness early.
One honest warning: your dog will probably sleep hard the first night after a full day. That’s normal. It’s the second and third visits where they settle in and stop treating it like a party.
What It Costs at Park9
**Playcare at Park9 starts at $36 per day for up to 3 hours.** Longer days and multi-visit packs bring the effective rate down, and a 15-visit pass drops the per-day cost to $28 for the 3-hour tier.
| Package | Up to 3 Hours | Up to 6 Hours | Up to 12 Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single day | $36 | $46 | $60 |
| 5-visit pass | $32/day | $43/day | $55/day |
| 10-visit pass | $30/day | $41/day | $52/day |
| 15-visit pass | $28/day | $39/day | $50/day |
Multi-visit passes are valid for a 60-day period. Or, if you’re a regular, the Elite Unlimited Pass is $850 for 30 days and covers unlimited Playcare at both locations.
Boarding at Park9 Pearson YYZ starts at $82 per night for the Premiere suite (24 sq ft, ideal for small to medium dogs) and goes up to $102 per night for the Executive suite (48 sq ft with a private TV and webcam). The Slumber suite, which includes a dedicated overnight staff member, is $94 per night. **Private-Style Boarding** — for dogs that need to be separated from the group — is $110 per night. Longer stays earn discounts: a 21-night booking drops Premiere to $67 per night.
Cat boarding runs from $62 per night in a Classic loft up to $72 per night in a Luxury loft. All cat stays include a private litter box, dedicated playtime, and feedings in our dedicated quiet-wing cat suites.
Grooming runs from $45 for a bathing service and from $85 for an Ultimate Haircut. Add-ons like nail trims ($25), nail grinding ($28), ear cleaning ($15), anal gland expression ($15), blueberry facials ($12 with bath), deskunking ($25 with bath), and dematting ($30 per half hour) are available à la carte.
A $15 peak-period fee applies on statutory holidays and the two days on either side. For boarding, that also includes the 2 days leading up to and following any statutory holiday.
Twice a week is my honest recommendation for most working owners. One day a week isn’t enough for a social dog to stay fluent with other dogs; three or more days is great but rarely necessary unless you’re gone all day, every day. If you’re Downtown and considering Pearson, factor in the shuttle cost — for airport trips it’s a no-brainer, but as a weekly routine it only makes sense if the routing fits your life.
What I’d skip: the add-on grooming on a Playcare day. Your dog is tired and damp from play; book grooming on a separate morning instead.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a temperament assessment before my dog’s first day?
Yes. Park9 requires a Meet & Greet assessment for all new dogs, usually booked a few days ahead. It takes 30–45 minutes and determines which playgroups your dog starts in. The first full day of Playcare is complimentary as part of the assessment.
Can I tour the facility before signing up?
Yes — tours are available by appointment. Book a mid-morning slot so you can see the groups actually running, not an empty building.
What vaccinations are required?
Rabies, Bordetella (kennel cough), and DHPP (distemper/parvo) are required, plus flea and tick prevention from May to November. Proof from a licensed vet must be provided before your dog’s first visit. Titers are accepted in lieu of vaccinations in some cases.
Does my dog need to be spayed or neutered?
Yes — all pets over 7 months of age must be spayed or neutered to participate in Playcare or boarding. Dogs over 7 months old that aren’t fixed can use our Private-Style boarding options instead.
Can I watch my dog during the day?
Yes. Every Park9 client gets live 24/7 webcam access through their online account. Every playroom has its own camera, so you can drop in on your dog any time during their stay.
Is there a shuttle between the two locations?
Yes. Park9 runs a shuttle between Downtown Toronto (56 Sherbourne St) and the Pearson YYZ boarding resort (9 Meteor Dr, Etobicoke). It’s $25 each way and can be requested when you book boarding online. Dogs travel in safety harnesses with fewer than 7 dogs per trip.
Is there a cutoff age for puppies?
Most dogs can start around 8 weeks, once their 1st vaccination series is complete. Younger puppies can’t join group play for health and safety reasons.
Ready to book? Create your online account, upload vaccination records, and book your dog’s complimentary asesment.