Exotic Pet Boarding in Nashville, TN: How to Find Care for Your Reptile, Bird, or Ferret (2026 Guide)

Finding someone to watch your bearded dragon, parrot, or ferret while you travel in Nashville isn’t as simple as Googling “pet boarding near me.” Most standard kennels won’t take them. But Nashville actually has a solid set of options — from a dedicated exotic-only boarding facility to vet clinics that take in birds and reptiles — if you know where to look. This guide walks you through the real options, what they cost, and exactly what to ask before you hand over your pet.

What Counts as an “Exotic Pet” for Boarding?

For boarding purposes, “exotic” typically means anything that isn’t a dog or cat. That covers a wide range: bearded dragons, ball pythons, leopard geckos, blue-tongued skinks, iguanas, tortoises, parrots, cockatiels, conures, ferrets, rabbits, guinea pigs, chinchillas, sugar gliders, and hedgehogs. Some facilities will also take amphibians, koi, and small livestock.

The key practical point: even a facility that says it handles exotics may only mean rabbits and guinea pigs. A place that boards snakes and large parrots is a different operation entirely. Always confirm your specific species when you call — don’t assume.

Nashville has at least one facility that genuinely boards the full range, plus several vet clinics that offer boarding for their patients. Here’s a realistic breakdown of what’s available.

Where to Board Your Exotic Pet in Nashville

GreyHaven Exotic Pet Boarding — Nashville’s Dedicated Exotic Boarding Facility

GreyHaven is the standout option in Middle Tennessee for exotic boarding — it’s the state’s most experienced dedicated exotic boarding facility, and it boards everything except cats and dogs. Reptiles, birds, small mammals, ferrets, rabbits — if it’s exotic, GreyHaven has likely cared for it.

A few things to know before you reach out:

• By appointment only — no walk-ins or drop-ins
• Pricing is by quote — email or call to get rates for your specific animal
• Schedule a visit first — GreyHaven typically asks new clients to tour the facility before boarding

Address: 737 Due W Ave N, Nashville, TN 37115
Phone: (615) 594-3636
Email: [email protected]

Because they quote per animal and don’t publish a rate card, reach out early — especially before a holiday weekend when they fill up fast.

Priest Lake Veterinary Hospital — Vet-Supervised Boarding for Reptiles, Birds, and Ferrets

Priest Lake Vet in South Nashville provides veterinary care for exotic pets including ferrets, birds, and reptiles, and offers boarding as part of their services. Vet-supervised boarding is worth considering if your animal has a health condition, takes medication, or has ever had stress-related issues during boarding — the staff there can monitor and intervene if something comes up.

Address: 2445 Morris Gentry Blvd, Nashville, TN 37013
Phone: (615) 361-4646
Website: priestlakevet.com

In-Home Pet Sitters via Rover — For Low-Stress Reptiles and Small Mammals

Some reptiles and small mammals do better staying in their own enclosure at home rather than being moved to an unfamiliar facility. For those pets, an in-home sitter who comes daily (or stays overnight) can be the lower-stress option — as long as you find someone with actual exotic experience.

Rover Nashville has over 1,000 sitters as of March 2026. The median drop-in visit rate runs around $20–$25 per visit, with overnight house-sitting averaging $35–$55/night. Important caveat: most Rover sitters specialize in dogs and cats. When filtering, look explicitly for sitters who list reptiles, birds, or ferrets in their profile — or message a sitter directly before booking to confirm experience. Don’t assume.

For reptiles that need precise temperature and humidity management, an in-home sitter is often the better call over any facility.

Specialized Pet Sitters and Local Networks

Nashville has a small but active community of exotic pet owners — particularly in areas like East Nashville, Green Hills, and the Bellevue corridor. Word-of-mouth referrals through local Facebook groups (search “Nashville exotic pets” or “Nashville reptile owners”) or through your vet’s office often surface experienced private sitters who don’t advertise broadly. These arrangements typically run $15–$25 per visit for drop-ins, negotiated directly.

Exotic Vet Clinics in Nashville (Essential Before You Board)

Before you board any exotic pet, you should know which vet to call if something goes wrong. Boarding staff — even experienced exotic boarders — will need to contact a vet if your animal gets sick. Having an established relationship with an exotic vet, or at minimum having one’s contact info ready for your boarder, is non-negotiable.

Avian & Exotics Center of Nashville — The Specialist Clinic

This is Middle Tennessee’s only veterinary facility that serves exclusively avian and exotic clientele — meaning every appointment, every piece of equipment, and every staff member is oriented around non-standard pets. They treat birds, reptiles (snakes, turtles, tortoises, bearded dragons, iguanas, chameleons, monitors, and more), small mammals, amphibians, and fish.

If your exotic pet needs specialist-level care in the Nashville area, this is where you go.

Address: 3806 Old Hickory Blvd, Old Hickory, TN 37138
Phone: (615) 360-0944
Hours: 8:00 am – 5:00 pm (call for current hours)

Exam fees at dedicated exotic clinics nationally run $90–$135 for a wellness exam and $100–$135 for a medical/sick exam (based on published rates from comparable facilities; AECN does not publish their fee schedule online). Call ahead to confirm.

Belle Forest Animal Hospital — Full-Service Vet with Exotic Coverage

Belle Forest handles a wide range of exotic species alongside standard pets: parrots, finches, canaries, ferrets, rabbits, guinea pigs, chinchillas, hamsters, gerbils, sugar gliders, hedgehogs, lizards, turtles, tortoises, and snakes. They’re located in the Bellevue area and see exotics during regular hours — but call ahead to confirm an exotic-trained vet is available on the day you need.

Address: 154 Belle Forest Cir, Nashville, TN 37221
Phone: (615) 662-1700
Hours: Mon–Fri 7:00 am–6:00 pm; Sat 8:00 am–1:00 pm

Migratory Avian Services — Bird and Exotic Specialty Practice

Dr. Kirk at Migratory Avian Services provides specialty-level care for avian, reptile, amphibian, small mammal, and aquatic species in the Nashville area. This is a smaller specialty practice rather than a full-service animal hospital — ideal for birds and reptiles that need a provider with deep specialist experience.

Website: migratoryavianservices.com

Priest Lake Veterinary Hospital — South Nashville Exotic Coverage

As noted above, Priest Lake also functions as a vet clinic for exotics — reptiles and birds specifically. Useful if you’re in South Nashville or Antioch and need a closer option than Old Hickory.

Address: 2445 Morris Gentry Blvd, Nashville, TN 37013
Phone: (615) 361-4646

How Much Does Exotic Pet Boarding Cost in Nashville?

Published pricing for exotic boarding is harder to find than for dog kennels — most facilities quote individually. Here’s a realistic picture based on what’s available locally and from comparable facilities nationally.

Honest note on these figures: GreyHaven Exotic Pet Boarding — Nashville’s primary dedicated facility — does not publish rates and quotes individually. The ranges above are drawn from regional comparison data and similar facilities nationally. Call or email GreyHaven directly for an accurate quote for your specific animal. Don’t book on assumptions.

What to Ask Before You Board

The single biggest mistake exotic pet owners make: assuming “we board exotics” means the same thing at every facility. It doesn’t. Before you commit, ask these questions directly — any reputable facility will answer them without hesitation.

Species and Experience Questions

• “Have you boarded [my specific species] before?” — Experience with bearded dragons is different from experience with iguanas or ball pythons. Ask specifically.
• “Who handles my animal day-to-day?” — You want to know if there’s a designated exotic animal caretaker or if responsibility rotates among general staff.
• “What happens if my animal stops eating or seems ill?” — They should have a protocol and a vet relationship. Vague answers are a red flag.

Husbandry Questions

• “How do you maintain temperature and humidity for reptiles?” — Most reptiles have specific ranges that matter for their health. The facility should be able to describe their setup.
• “Can my animal stay in its own enclosure?” — For reptiles especially, familiarity reduces stress. Many facilities require you to bring the animal’s own setup; confirm this upfront.
• “How often will my animal be fed, and what do you feed?” — Bring your own food if there’s any doubt. An exotic pet that’s fed the wrong diet for a week can come back with health problems.

Emergency and Vet Access

• “Which vet do you contact in an emergency?” — The answer should include an exotic-capable vet, not just the nearest general animal hospital.
• “Do you require vet records or a health certificate before boarding?” — Many facilities that take exotics seriously will ask for this. It’s a good sign, not a hassle.

How to Prepare Your Exotic Pet for Boarding

Good preparation on your end makes boarding significantly less stressful — for your pet and for the facility staff caring for it.

Pre-Boarding Vet Visit

Book a pre-boarding wellness check with an exotic vet at least 2–3 weeks before your trip — not the day before. If something’s wrong, you want time to address it. The Avian & Exotics Center of Nashville at (615) 360-0944 is the most thorough option for this; Belle Forest Animal Hospital at (615) 662-1700 is a solid backup, especially if you’re on the west side of Nashville.

For ferrets specifically, current distemper and rabies vaccines are often required by boarding facilities — check before your appointment to know what records you’ll need.

Bring Their Own Setup (Where Possible)

For reptiles, the enclosure, substrate, hides, and basking setup are part of their normal environment. Moving them to an unfamiliar enclosure is an additional stressor. If the boarding facility allows it — and GreyHaven and most dedicated exotics boarders do — bring the whole setup. Include food, supplements, and a written care sheet.

Write a Care Sheet

Don’t rely on verbal instructions. Write out:

• Species and age
• Feeding schedule, food type, and quantity
• Temperature and humidity targets
• Handling instructions (or “do not handle” if your animal is stressed by it)
• Normal behavior vs. warning signs
• Emergency vet contact (we’d recommend saving Avian & Exotics Center of Nashville: (615) 360-0944)
• Your phone number and a backup contact

Do a Trial Run

If your animal has never been boarded before, try a short 1–2 night stay before a longer trip. It lets you see how your pet handles the experience and builds your confidence in the facility before you’re on a 10-day vacation with no easy way to course-correct.

Timing Your Drop-Off

Drop your exotic pet off on a weekday morning when staff are fully present and not managing a weekend rush. Avoid holiday drop-offs if you can — not because facilities get careless, but because you want maximum staff attention during that critical first 24 hours when your animal is adjusting.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there an emergency exotic vet in Nashville?

There is no 24/7 emergency exotic vet in Nashville as of early 2026. The Avian & Exotics Center of Nashville (615-360-0944) is the closest to a full-service exotic specialist, but operates standard business hours (8am–5pm). For after-hours emergencies, your best option is BluePearl Nashville (general emergency) combined with a call to your regular exotic vet’s after-hours line — many will provide guidance by phone even outside business hours.

Can I board my snake or bearded dragon at a regular pet hotel?

Most standard dog and cat boarding facilities won’t accept reptiles, and you should be cautious about any that say yes without being able to answer specific husbandry questions. GreyHaven Exotic Pet Boarding (615-594-3636) is the right call for reptiles in Nashville — they have the actual experience. Priest Lake Vet (615-361-4646) is another option, particularly if your reptile has an ongoing health issue.

Do birds need a health certificate to board in Nashville?

No state-mandated certificate is required for boarding companion birds within Tennessee, but individual facilities may require it. GreyHaven typically asks for veterinary documentation for new boarding clients. It’s good practice regardless — a pre-boarding exam at AECN or Belle Forest Animal Hospital will catch any health issues before they become a boarding emergency.

What’s the cheapest way to board an exotic pet in Nashville?

In-home sitting through Rover or a private sitter is typically the lowest-cost option — drop-in visits run $18–$25 in Nashville as of March 2026. The catch is finding someone with genuine exotic experience; most Rover sitters work with dogs and cats. Filter carefully and have a direct conversation before booking. For reptiles that need precise heat and humidity, in-home is also often the better option regardless of cost.

How far in advance should I book exotic boarding in Nashville?

For GreyHaven, book at least 2–3 weeks out for standard trips and 4–6 weeks out for holiday travel (Thanksgiving, Christmas, spring break). Dedicated exotic facilities have limited capacity compared to large dog kennels — spots go quickly. If GreyHaven is full, ask them for referrals; they know the local exotic pet community well.

What if my exotic pet won’t eat while boarding?

Many reptiles and some birds temporarily refuse food when stressed by a new environment — this is normal for short trips (2–5 days) and not immediately alarming. Inform the boarding facility of your animal’s normal feeding schedule and what “normal” looks like so they can distinguish temporary stress from a health issue. If a reptile goes more than 10–14 days without eating, or if a bird stops eating entirely within 24–48 hours, that warrants a vet call. Make sure your boarder has the number for Avian & Exotics Center of Nashville (615-360-0944).

Are there exotic-specific boarding options for sugar gliders or hedgehogs in Nashville?

GreyHaven accepts sugar gliders and hedgehogs along with most other exotics. For these animals in particular, an in-home sitter is worth considering — both species are small, stress-sensitive, and often do better staying in their home environment with a familiar sitter visiting daily. Check the Middle Tennessee Pocket Pet Rescue (mnpocketpetrescue.org) for Nashville-area sitter recommendations from people with hands-on experience with these species.

Author: Annie