Kennel-free · Open-door · Buffalo, MN
Your fur-baby is family. We treat them that way.
Kennel-free dog boarding, daycare, grooming, training, and guided nature walks. Open-door tours, live photo updates, and the most-reviewed pet lodge in Wright County.
★★★★★ 4.9 · 350+ Google reviews
Ruffin Inn is a kennel-free pet boarding, daycare, grooming, and training facility at 2667 Dague Ave NE in Buffalo, MN. We serve Wright County and pet families within 50 miles, including Monticello, Elk River, St. Michael, Albertville, and Rogers, with 4.9 stars across 350+ Google reviews.
What we offer
Everything your pet needs, all in one place.
Five services, one team, all in Buffalo MN, built around a kennel-free promise.
Dog Boarding
Kennel-free private suites with daily playtime and live photo updates.
From $49/night
Dog Daycare
Open-play days with experienced staff. Drop in for a half day or full day.
From $24/half day
Grooming
Full grooms, splash-and-dash, and breed-specific cuts on Tue/Thu.
From $45 bath & nails
Training
Five-week obedience classes, max 4 dogs per class. Sun/Mon evenings.
From $200 / 5-week course
Cat Boarding
Quiet, separate cat boarding suites for travel days and long getaways.
From $25/night
Nature Walks
Add-on guided trail walks for dogs in boarding or daycare. Small groups, real adventure.
From Add-on
Why kennel-free?
Dogs are pack animals. So is our facility.
Traditional kennels stack dogs in stainless steel runs. We don't. At Ruffin Inn, dogs board in private suites, play in open group yards with trained handlers, and nap on cots instead of concrete. The result: less stress, more rest, and a happier dog when you pick them up.
Over a decade of hands-on pet care. Open-door tour policy. Daily photo updates on Facebook so you always know how your dog is doing.
"Eased our anxiety"
The people who work at Ruffin Inn are wonderful. They were kind and helpful to me, and my dog. It was my dog's first stay in a kennel.
Google review
"Expert care & photo updates"
We love taking our dog to the Ruffin Inn. He always plays a ton, comes back safe and sound, and sleeps for a whole day after.
Google review
"Reliable vacation boarding"
We couldn't be happier with the service we get from Ruffin Inn. Every time we board our lab, we know that she is so loved and well taken care of. We love getting to see pictures of her on Facebook while we're on vacation.
Google review
Cities we serve
Dog boarding for the surrounding 50 miles.
Buffalo is our home base. Pet families drive in from across Wright County, Sherburne County, and the northwest metro. Pick a city for drive times and the local boarding page.
New for boarders & daycare dogs
Add a real nature walk to any stay.
Trail walks led by trained staff in small groups of two to four compatible dogs. Thirty to forty-five minutes of leashed outdoor adventure on top of yard play. Your dog comes home tired in the good way.
Frequently asked
Eight quick answers before you book.
The questions we hear most often from new families. See the full FAQ for everything else.
Is Ruffin Inn really kennel-free?
Yes. Every boarding dog gets a private suite with a cot — never a stainless steel run. Dogs play in open group yards with trained handlers during the day and rest in suites at night. The whole facility is built around that promise.
What vaccinations do you require?
Rabies, DHPP (distemper combo), and Bordetella, with Bordetella administered at least 7 days before the first stay. Same requirements for boarding, daycare, grooming, and training. Bring proof from your vet or have them email it to us.
Can I tour before booking?
Yes — we have an open-door tour policy. Drop in during business hours, or schedule a tour through our booking portal. Tours typically take 10 to 15 minutes and you'll see every part of the facility.
How far in advance should I book boarding?
For weekends and summer, two to four weeks ahead is safest. For major holidays (Thanksgiving, Christmas, July 4th, Memorial Day, Labor Day) we recommend booking six to eight weeks out — those weeks fill quickly.
What's included in a boarding stay?
Private suite with a Kuranda cot, feeding and medication administration, 5+ hours of supervised group play every day, climate control, and daily photo updates on our Facebook page. Boarding starts at $49/night with a 30% multi-dog discount.
Where is Ruffin Inn located and who do you serve?
We're at 2667 Dague Ave NE in Buffalo, MN, three miles north of downtown. We serve Wright County and pet families within a 50-mile radius, including Monticello, Elk River, St. Michael, Albertville, Delano, Rogers, Maple Lake, and Big Lake.
Do you offer half-day or full-day daycare?
Both. Half day is $24 and full day is $33. Prepaid 5-day, 10-day, and 20-day packages get a lower per-day rate and never expire. Daycare days are open-play with trained handlers, 6:30 AM to 6 PM (with a midday nap break from noon to 2 PM).
Do you board cats?
Yes — in a quiet, separate wing with no dog access. Two suite options: a Cat Condo at $25/night or a larger Cat Atrium at $35/night. Twice-daily feeding, fresh water and litter, wellness checks, and medication administration are all included.
Ready when you are.
Book a stay, schedule a tour, or text our team. We'd love to meet your dog.
Or call (763) 682-4247 · text (763) 415-7815