Delmar Smith Kennels in Oklahoma City: Long-Term Boarding for Dogs and Cats
Delmar Smith Kennels is a traditional boarding facility in Oklahoma City that houses dogs and cats in individual kennels for stays ranging from overnight to several weeks. The operation has been family-run since 1947 and occupies a dedicated building designed around animal containment and care routines rather than luxury amenities or socialization programs. It serves owners who need straightforward, reliable boarding without premium frills.
What Delmar Smith Kennels actually is
Delmar Smith Kennels operates as a conventional kennel boarding house, not a daycare, resort, or training facility. Dogs and cats are housed separately in individual kennels. The facility does not offer play yards, group interaction, or enrichment activities; it is structured for containment and basic care during the owner's absence. This distinction matters because it positions the facility at the practical end of the Oklahoma City boarding spectrum, appealing to owners seeking no-nonsense custody rather than a recreational experience for their pets.
Services and pricing
Boarding rates are charged per night. Dogs and cats are accepted. The facility requires proof of current vaccinations, including rabies, DHPP (dogs), and FVRCP (cats). Owners provide food from home; the facility does not supply meals, which reduces cross-contamination risk but requires advance coordination. Nail trimming and basic grooming tasks are not advertised as added services. Medication administration is available; owners must provide clear instructions and pre-measured doses. Pricing verification is recommended because daily rates fluctuate seasonally and around holiday periods.
How it compares to other Oklahoma City boarding options
Oklahoma City has three broad boarding categories. All Creatures Pet Resort, located on the north side, offers climate-controlled suites, separate play yards, and webcam monitoring at a premium day rate; it is designed for extended stays where owners want visual reassurance and daily enrichment. Midtown Pet Sitters operates as a drop-in service where staff visit homes one to three times daily, feeding and exercising pets in their own environment; this model works for single pets or owners uncomfortable with facility boarding. Delmar Smith Kennels sits between these: it is cheaper than a resort but more structured than in-home sitting, and it concentrates multiple animals in one location, which some owners prefer for simplicity and others avoid due to disease exposure concerns.
Choose Delmar Smith Kennels if you need affordable overnight or multi-week boarding, have vaccinated animals, are comfortable providing your own food, and do not require live monitoring or daily enrichment. Choose a resort if your dog is anxious or you want proof of daily activity. Choose in-home sitting if your pet is elderly, on a strict routine, or fearful of kennels.
Who it suits and who it does not suit
Delmar Smith Kennels works well for owners with vaccinated, healthy animals; owners on a tight budget; owners of cats, which often do better in quiet, contained spaces than in high-traffic daycares; and owners with straightforward boarding needs (no medications, no behavioral issues, no special diets requiring facility food prep). It does not suit owners of unvaccinated pets, anxious or reactive dogs that benefit from daily exercise and human interaction, animals on prescription or special diets that the owner cannot pre-portion, or owners who prioritize seeing their pet on camera during the stay.
What the first visit involves
New clients should call ahead to schedule a drop-off appointment and receive vaccination requirements in writing. At intake, owners will complete a form with emergency contact information, dietary notes, and behavioral alerts. The staff will show you where your animal will be housed and explain feeding and medication protocols. Bring current vaccination records, food in a labeled container, any medications in their original bottles, and a blanket or toy if you wish. The facility will not accept pets without proof of rabies vaccination. Some owners choose to make a short preliminary visit to see the kennels before committing to an extended stay.
Hours, parking, and logistics
Delmar Smith Kennels is located in a standalone building accessible by car with on-site parking. Hours are typically 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday, with limited or no Sunday availability; holiday hours often shift, so confirm closures in advance. Drop-off and pickup windows are usually two hours wide to manage staff workflow. The facility is not in a shopping district or near other services, so plan a dedicated trip rather than combining it with other errands.
Delmar Smith Kennels fills a niche for Oklahoma City owners who value affordability and simplicity over frills, and whose pets tolerate a quiet kennel environment during their owners' absence.
