Hip Hounds' mission is to provide a fun, safe, social environment for dogs and their people while giving busy owners peace of mind in knowing that we are providing the best in care, services and products for their dogs. As an American Boarding Kennel Association (ABKA) member, we are committed to excellence and have created a happy and healthy retreat like no other in the Austin area for dogs and the people who love them.

Hip Hounds was established by Melissa Todd, a graduate of the University of Texas who has lived in Austin since the early 1980's. She always knew that helping dogs would play a major role in her life and has surrounded herself with dogs since she was a young child. Volunteer work and animal rescue has always played a part in her life too as she is the proud guardian of two rescues, Maddie and Mindy, and has volunteered doing dog manners training at Town Lake Animal Shelter and special events planning for the Austin Humane Society.

Long days at work and frequent travel urged her to create a facility that offers both lots of indoor play space and outdoor fresh air. The idea for Hip Hounds has been around for many years, but finding the location was the tough part. Early in 2006 she was able to find a space that gives dogs the best of all worlds with an indoor climate controlled play area with room for cageless sleepovers and outdoor yard space with doggie pools and toys that is convenient to IH-35. Throw in some web cams to see what your pups are doing during the day with some healthy food, treats and cool toys, collars, gifts and lots of love ... and you have Hip Hounds ... Doggie Daycare and Boarding to Bark About!