Since 1983, Kmetz’s Hawthorne Kennel & Grooming LLC has cared for the dogs and cats of LaSalle County, including families right here in Ottawa. We are a family-owned kennel just down Route 23 in Streator, and Ottawa pet owners have trusted us with boarding, daycare, and grooming for over 40 years.
Call (815) 672-3871 Book Boarding Or Grooming
A Family-Owned Kennel Ottawa Pet Owners Have Trusted Since 1983
We started Kmetz’s Hawthorne Kennel & Grooming as a small, family-run operation, and more than 40 years later that has not changed. Our staff works hands-on with every dog and cat that stays with us, whether they are in for a weekend of boarding or a same-day grooming appointment. Ottawa sits about 15 to 20 minutes east of our Streator location along Route 23, which makes us a natural, familiar option for pet owners throughout the Ottawa-Peru area who want a kennel with deep local roots rather than a chain.
We know Ottawa families often plan around Starved Rock State Park, Labor Day weekend at the river, or trips out of the Ottawa-Peru micropolitan area for work near I-80. When you need a safe place for your dog or cat while you travel, or simply need reliable grooming on a schedule, we build our services around that reality.
Dog and Cat Grooming
Pet grooming near Ottawa at Kmetz’s covers everything from a basic bath and trim to a full spa package, and every grooming visit includes teeth brushing and scaling as a standard part of the service, not an upsell. Our groomers work with both dogs and cats, and we handle the coat types common in this part of Illinois, from the thick double coats that need extra attention before winter to the lighter summer trims that keep pets comfortable once the humidity sets in.
- Bathing, brushing, and coat trimming for dogs and cats
- Nail trimming and nail grinding
- Teeth brushing and scaling included with every grooming package
- Spa packages for pet owners who want the full treatment
If you have been searching for cat grooming in Ottawa specifically, we handle feline grooming as well as dogs. Cats are often overlooked by grooming shops built around dogs, and we treat them as a full part of our service, not an afterthought.
Dog and Pet Boarding
Dog boarding in Ottawa with Kmetz’s means your pet stays in a kennel that has operated continuously in LaSalle County since 1983, with staff on-site daily to feed, walk, and monitor every animal in our care. We offer boarding by the night for short trips and extended daily boarding for longer travel, so Ottawa families heading to Chicago, down I-80, or out of state for a week have one less thing to worry about.
- Overnight and multi-night boarding for dogs and cats
- Daily monitoring, feeding, and exercise for every boarding guest
- Pet food and treats available for purchase if you run short mid-stay
- Pick-up and drop-off assistance for senior citizens who have trouble transporting their pets to our kennel
LaSalle County summers regularly bring stretches of hot, humid weather off the Gulf, and winters swing cold with fast-moving fronts. Boarding your dog or cat indoors with consistent care matters more here than it does in a milder climate, and it is part of why we keep our kennel staffed and checked throughout the day, not just at feeding time.
Dog Daycare and Kennel Options
Dog daycare in Ottawa is useful for owners who work long hours near the I-80 corridor or in downtown Ottawa and do not want their dog left alone all day. Our kennels give dogs a secure, supervised place to spend the day or an extended stay, with staff who get to know each animal rather than rotating them through an anonymous facility. Whether you are searching for dog kennels in Ottawa for a single overnight or planning around a longer trip, we structure boarding and daycare the same way: consistent staff, consistent care, and a kennel that has been doing this since 1983.
Why LaSalle County Pet Owners Choose a Local Kennel
Ottawa sits at the confluence of the Illinois River and the Fox River in LaSalle County, and it functions as a gateway to Starved Rock State Park, one of the most visited outdoor destinations in the state. That draws a lot of Ottawa households into weekend travel, whether it is a short trip to the canyons or a longer haul down I-80 toward Chicago, which is about 80 miles northeast. Pet owners here need boarding they can count on around that travel pattern, not just for holidays.
We also see the seasonal side of LaSalle County life reflected in the pets that come through our kennel. Ottawa’s humid continental climate means warm, muggy stretches from spring through fall and genuinely cold winters, and grooming needs shift with it: heavier coat maintenance heading into winter, lighter trims and more frequent baths once summer humidity settles in along the river valley. Neighboring communities like Streator, Peru, and LaSalle send us pets too, but Ottawa remains one of the largest groups of families we serve outside our own town.
For pet owners near downtown Ottawa, Reddick’s Library, or the OSF HealthCare Saint Elizabeth Medical Center area, our Streator kennel is a straightforward drive out Route 23, and many Ottawa clients tell us it is worth the short trip for a kennel that already knows their pet by name.
Why Ottawa Pet Owners Choose Kmetz’s Hawthorne Kennel & Grooming
- Family-owned and operated in LaSalle County since 1983
- Over 40 years of hands-on boarding and grooming experience
- Teeth brushing and scaling included with every grooming package
- Boarding, daycare, and grooming under one roof, so you are not juggling separate providers
- Pick-up and drop-off help available for senior citizens
- Pet food and treats on hand for boarding guests
Frequently Asked Questions About Pet Boarding and Grooming Near Ottawa
Does Kmetz’s Hawthorne Kennel & Grooming serve Ottawa, IL?
Yes, we regularly board and groom pets for Ottawa families. Our kennel is located in Streator, about 15 to 20 minutes from Ottawa via Route 23, and many of our boarding and grooming clients come from Ottawa and the surrounding LaSalle County area.
What does dog boarding in Ottawa include at Kmetz’s?
Dog boarding includes daily feeding, exercise, and monitoring by our staff, with options for a single overnight stay or extended daily boarding for longer trips. Pet food and treats are also available for purchase if your dog needs more during an extended stay.
Is teeth brushing really included with grooming, or is that an add-on?
Teeth brushing and scaling are included in every grooming package we offer, at no extra charge. We built it into our standard service rather than pricing it separately.
Do you groom cats as well as dogs?
Yes, we provide cat grooming in addition to dog grooming. Cat grooming near Ottawa is one of our more common requests, and our groomers work with feline coats and temperaments specifically, not just dog breeds.
Can you help transport my pet if I cannot drive to Streator?
We offer pick-up and drop-off assistance for senior citizens who have difficulty transporting their pets to our kennel. Call us at (815) 672-3871 to arrange this for boarding or grooming.
How far in advance should Ottawa pet owners book boarding?
We recommend booking as early as possible around holidays, Starved Rock area travel weekends, and summer vacation season, since those are our busiest boarding periods. For routine boarding or grooming, calling a few days ahead is usually enough.
Book Pet Boarding or Grooming for Your Ottawa Pet
Since 1983, Kmetz’s Hawthorne Kennel & Grooming LLC has given LaSalle County pet owners, including families throughout Ottawa, a local, trusted place for boarding, daycare, and grooming. Call us or reach out online to schedule your dog or cat’s next stay or grooming appointment.


