K9 Rustic Ranch

I have 5 dogs and live in El Cajon but drive all the way to Valley center to board my dogs. The place is really nice with large air conditioned runs and a huge play area. They take really good care of my babies, they give them a bath so they smell great when they come home. I would highly recommend the ranch. They will even pick up your dog for a small fee very convenient.

We absolutely LOVE K9 Rustic Ranch. They treat our dogs like family. The dogs get tons of free play time and, when they do go in for the night, the kennels are climate controlled and comfortable. They’ll even pick up and deliver them home! Our dogs always come home clean, happy, and rested. They absolutely love spending time at K9 Rustic Ranch.

They take great care of my 2 high-​energy boxers; we drive from Mira Mesa to have them boarded at K9 Rustic Ranch. I have peace of mind knowing they are getting plenty of exercise, having fun, and being well cared for by people who understand and like large breeds.

We can’t say enough great things about Kristi and the folks at Rustic Ranch. For the first time I don’t feel guilty about leaving our puggles when we travel. It’s not ridiculously overdone like some kennels (sorry, no your dog won’t have his own apartment complete with kitchenette and flatscreen) but they will be very well taken care of and loved. Bella and Hurley come home exhausted and freshly bathed. Thanks for taking great care of our pups!

Great place. Super nice owner and worker we met. We wanted to go to Valleyview Casino but did not want to leave the dogs home alone so went on line and found K9 Rustic Ranch. Maybe a mile from Valleyview. Dogs had a great time while we gambled and had a nice dinner lol. Felt very comfortable with the place. Dogs seem happy. Nice dog kennel for your dog. Very clean and lots of playing in the huge yard. Reasonable rates and we could leave the dogs until 7. Whether a day or overnight trip, this is a great place for us. Happy to have found it.

awesome place!!! my dog Rosco loved coming here! I wouldn’t leave him at any other place and i know the staff at K9RR took great care of him.
Thank you very much for everything that you all did for my boy Rosco!
you’re the best!
En & Rosco.

Absolutely the ONLY place we would leave our baby Hamlet. He absolutely loves his time at the Ranch — we call it «summer camp» for him because he always makes new friends, and gets to swim and play as much as he wants. He comes back smelling delicious from his bath and exhausted! We especially liked how caring the handlers are and also how attentive Kristi is in her communication. Many boarding places were also restrictive of boarding our dog who is a PitBull mix, but they were not discriminatory. We especially appreciated that. THANK YOU k9 Rustic Ranch!

Very trustworthy and reliable place for dogs. We’ve been using them for the past few years and we know our dogs will be taken care of at K9 Rustic Ranch while we’re away. Also, the staff is good about communicating easily and often with us about our dogs throughout the duration of their stay. Another plus is the convenience factor — they pick up and drop off our dogs, for a fee, which is well worth it. Great place overall!

I have a Great Pyrenees and 2 small dogs. I can’t begin to tell you how much fun they have at the Ranch. They go bounding out to the van at pick up time and my Pyr comes back exhausted from playing so much. *So important for a big dog* We have been using this facility since my Pyr was 8 months old and going through a dominant stage and our previous boarding facility didn’t want to take the time to deal with it. Landon is now going on 3 years of age and couldn’t be happier when he has to be separated from his family.
Thanks again Kristi and crew!
The Ladoves…

I have used K9 Rustic Ranch a few times and my dog loves it there. When they come to pick him up from my house, he is practicing running to them, he’s so happy.
I visited the facility as well, and it’s basically a dog’s paradise. I use them when I can. Book early, or they could run out of space.

I can not say enough about the ranch and the staff at K9 Ranch. Our dog has stayed there a few times and she loves it. They are consistently on time with pick up and drop off. Plus, the added bath is a huge bonus.
Also, my sister recently had a terrible family tragedy and K9 Ranch made a special trip to pick up her two dogs and took care of them for almost two weeks. Then on top of that they refused to charge for caring for the two dogs. That is true compassion for you. Thank you!!!

Just took my dogs to the ranch for the first time. I was so pleased when I came to pick them up. They had a great time I’m sure :) They had been washed by the time I came to get them and they looked great. The prices are reasonable and the place looks so clean. Everyone knew my dogs special needs and even took the time to make sure my picky eater ate all his meals. I’ll happily take my dogs here anytime I’m going out of town.

K9 Rustic Ranch is the ONLY place we’ll leave our little Charlie girl when we head out of town. Kristi and her staff are so great with pets… and people too! They love what they do and it just shows in every aspect of the ranch.
They not only picked-​up and droped-​off our pup, they gave her a bath so she came home looking better than when she left. And, they’re still significantly more affordable than the majority of the other options out there.
They have a big yard with lots of toys for the dogs to play with and there’s always someone with the dogs… so you never have to worry about your little one being unattended.
For us, price was a concern… but so was Charlie’s happiness while we were gone. I was so worried I was going to have a miserable trip because I’d feel guilty Charlie was locked up in a kennel somewhere… sad, alone and afraid. All those worries went away when we drove out to the Ranch to check things out and meet Kristi. It’s a ways from our house, but the fact they pick the dogs up takes care of that problem all together. and like I said, it was really affordable.
I more than recommend K9 Rustic Ranch. If I could give it 10 stars I would. If you have a dog and you live in or around San Diego, this is by far the best option for you and you fur baby!

I called the ranch two hours before they closed for tours (due to sun setting), and they were able to accomodate me coming in for a tour because I needed to make sure of the place before I dropped my shiba off for boarding (The place I went to before coming here was booked full.). When I arrived for the tour, the owner showed me around to a very clean dog kennel area and the field the dogs play in. There was actually dark green grass (real, not fake grass) in 99% of the play area. I love how the kennels have a/​c, so I don’t have to worry about it getting way too hot for my pup. During this tour, I discussed Mika’s feeding schedule, when I would be dropping him off and picking him up and filled out some first timer paperwork.
I saw online that the ranch offers pick up and drop off of dogs, but since I didn’t live that far, I decided to drop off my shiba myself. Since the owner (Krisit) lives on the property, I could drop my shiba off any time, so I dropped him off at 06:45 in the morning (so I could make it to work on time and not have to call in late). I brought Mik’s own bed and food (with some extra just in case I was not able to make it back on the day I was going to pick him up. Which actually happened. I got food poisoning on my trip and had to delay my flight back for a day. More about that later.). The ranch does not charge if you bring your own food and bedding. (I find it absurd for a place to charge you extra because you bring your own food. A healthy pup is a happy pup.)
Mik took to the owner and her kids immediately. After a quick good bye for now, I was on my way to work and then out of town.
I did not get any updates while Mik was boarded there, but no news is good news, as far as I am concerned. I’m sure if you wanted updates, you can request for them to call or email you. They seem really accommodating (especially with the feeding schedule. They try to match it with how you feed your dog at home.)
The morning that I was supposed to fly home and pick Mik up in the evening, I was not doing so well. Whatever I ate the day before was seeking revenge, so I called the ranch first thing in the morning. The owner picked up and was so sweet and accommodating. She said it was not a problem that Mik had to be there for another day (especially since I packed extra food for him). I told her that I planned to be home the next day and I’d pick him up around 17:30 (pick up is before 21:00). She told me that was not a problem and she would let her help know, so they can bathe him tomorrow rather than today. The owner made my situation much easier to deal with.
When I came to pick Mik up, the ranch help was there and Mik was pretty much ready to go when I got there. Since the payment system is all online on their website, payment was done before I dropped Mik off (and the day that I called and told them I would need to extend my shiba’s stay for a day), I just needed to pick up my shiba’s stuff and my shiba.
My shiba was 9 years old when I boarded him with the ranch. It takes a lot to tire him out. I can take him to the dog park for hours and play fetch with him there and he’s ready to go by the time we get home. I’ve taken him on full day hikes and he’s ready to go run and play again by the time we get home. The ranch does an excellent job of tiring my shiba out. When he got home, I sat with him to spend some time with him and he passed out laying down next to me. He was sitting and you could see his eyes get droopy, and then he laid down, and the next thing I know, he’s fast asleep!
Thank you K9 Rustic Ranch for doing such a great job with taking care of my shiba. I will definitely be back again. You’ve taken my business from the other boarding facility.
I forgot to mention: Krisit took care of all the vaccine verifications for me. All I needed to do was give her the name of the vet I use (Governor Animal Clinic), which she already knew, and she called them to get Mik’s records. No effort needed on my part.

I absolutely do NOT know what I would do without K9 Rustic Ranch! I had been referred here by another boarding facility over a year ago and have been a steady customer ever since. The facilities are clean and spacious, and the staff is professional and experienced. My dog is always freshly bathed when I pick him up. I can also make arrangements for grooming while he is at the ranch. It is a great feeling to be able to leave my pet, knowing that he will get plenty of exercise and personal TLC. I never worry about him when he’s at the ranch! In fact, his tail wags non-​stop when I ask him, «Rusty — do you want to go see Kristie?» He is just as happy to be there as he is to be at home. It’s definitely a «win-​win» for both my dog and me!

Take your dogs here. Support small business that gives you GREAT service! We’ll be back!!!
Well, we finally got a vacation. Really, as a teacher your vacations aren’t really vacations. It’s just unpaid work time.
So FINALLY the hubs and I decided to get the heck out of San Diego and take a few days off. With three large dogs we needed a place to board the mutts. We took the puppers out to K9RR. We dropped them off on a weekend. Andy, one of the crew, met us with our dogs and went over their food/​sleep requirements and checked in their toys. Yes, my dogs went to camp with toys and blankets!
Then he took the dogs out in the play yard just to make sure they were OK before we left. Once the dogs saw all the communal toys and the huge yard they basically ignored us and ran around.
The night before the pups were returned Kristi (the owner) called and arranged a drop off time for us. (She’ll pick up on weekdays, too!!!) She arrived on time with three happy, CLEAN dogs in the back of her truck. The dogs were all securely fastened into travel crates. The pups came in happy and as Kristi left my youngest sat by the door and whined for her. Yes, this dog wanted to go stay with the fun lady and not the boring mommy!!! Then the dogs passed out for the next two days. I am pretty sure they had a great time: D

K-​9 Rustic Ranch is more like sending your dogs on a vacation, than boarding them while You go out of town. I have two 90+ lb American bulldogs. 1 is a pup, not even a year and a half, the other is 3. They are wbith sweethearts but very energetic and the older dog is a Diva. If she’s not happy she will let you know and will bark the mist annoying high pitch bark the entire time. She hates being kenneld. Usually when I pick her up she has lost her voice from barking and runs right up to me and won’t look back. The first time I picked her up from. R.R., she ran up to me to say hi, then ran back to (I always forget the guys names but they are great and always remember mine). My dogs didn’t want to leave. They were happy to see me but didn’t want to leave the Ranch! That was really reassuring to me. My dogs can be a handfull and the previous places have all complained to me about my older dog being hyper and too vocal when kenneld. One Vet office asked me not to bring her back. R.R. always makes me and my dogs feel welcomed and I’ve even stopped by unexpectedly to see how they were treated and one of the guys was out in the yard wrestling with my dogs. That really made me feel good about this place. I won’t take my dogs anywhere else. On top of how well they treat my dogs, there are no extra silly charges like charging extra to feed or give medication. Plus, my dogs always come back clean, happy, and exhausted! I couldn’t be happier and when the dogs see me loading the kennel into the back of the truck they get so excited that they won’t even finish eating. They run to the gate and wait with tails wagging.
Thank’s so much Kristi! My «baby’s» love you guys!

My dogs have been going to Kristi since they were puppies. They are now 7 and 8! They take great care and give the dogs a ton of love. I have a high energy dog and needs a lot of exercise (she gets it without them charging me by the second!!). The dogs come back bathed and happy. They even pick up and drop off! I couldn’t be happier. Thanks Kristi for taking care of our «kids»!

This place really is a dream come true! When we were going through the checklist of must haves for our puppies first time away from home, K9 Rustic Ranch not only met, but exceeded all of our expectations!
Kristi is amazing! She invited us to the ranch to check out the facilities, answer all of our questions and ease our fears. Our first visit was mid July when it was 95*+ in Valley Center. The Kennels not only had the AC pumping, but they also had huge fans set up to keep the air circulating. Seriously, in the heat of the summer, the kennels are probably cooler than our own house. That particular visit, Kristi also had the kiddie pool set up outside for the dogs to splash in during playtime. Over the New Years Holiday, they had the heaters going to keep everyone warm and cozy. The kennels are also kept immaculate and are spacious, especially compared to others we had seen.
What I love about this place is that they are fair… to the humans and the dogs. The big dogs and little dogs are constantly rotated throughout the day, with access to big yard to run and play with their new buddies. You are not charged extra for playtime, feeding, medication… you know, the essential things that everyone else seems to charge extra for. Who charges to feed a dog? On top of all this, Kristi offers pick up and drop off services, and your babies will always get a bath upon departure (no charge for either).
Our sweet pooch, Toothless, has since been to the ranch about 4 — 5 times (p.s., yes, Toothless has teeth). He LOVES it here. He always comes home to us so exhausted, happy and squeaky clean. He has absolutely no issue being left here… and Kristi will even e-​mail, text, send pictures to update you throughout your doggie’s visit. K9 Rustic Ranch and Kristi Richie really are as good as it gets :)

I have yet to come across a boarding facility as clean and well-​run as K9 Rustic Ranch. Kristi is dedicated to her clients and their dogs. My German Sheperd, AJ, received top-​notch care every time I have boarded him there. I love that there is so much room for the dogs to get out and stretch their legs in the huge fenced-​in field on site. I was also impressed when I told Kristi that I fed AJ a raw diet, and she didn’t bat an eyelash! It was not a problem to feed AJ his diet of chicken necks. Many boarding facilites will not allow you to feed raw in their facilities.
Each time AJ has been returned to me, he has been clean and obviously well cared-​for. What more could a dog owner/​lover ask for? I highly recommend Kristi Riche and K9 Rustic Ranch to anyone looking for a professional, top-​notch pet boarding facility.