How to Board Pets Heartopia (March 2026) Complete Guide
If you’re anything like me, your first instinct in Heartopia is to adopt every adorable cat and dog you encounter. But you’ll quickly hit a wall when you run out of pet slots! The good news? Heartopia’s pet boarding system lets you temporarily house your current pets to make room for new furry friends.
This comprehensive guide will walk you through everything you need to know about pet boarding – from requirements and costs to advanced strategies that most players miss. Whether you’re a beginner or experienced player, you’ll discover tips to optimize your pet management and never miss out on adopting that perfect companion again.
Heartopia Pet Boarding Quick Reference
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Minimum Growth Level | 3,000 points |
| Boarding Location | Mrs. Joan’s Pet Shop (Central Square) |
| Cost per Pet | 20,000 Gold |
| Retrieval Cost | Free |
| System Cooldown | Resets at 6:00 AM server time |
| Max Pets Allowed | 5 Cats, 3 Dogs |
Understanding Pet Slots and Limits
Before diving into boarding, it’s crucial to understand Heartopia’s pet slot system. Unlike many games where you can collect unlimited pets, Heartopia has specific limits based on your hobby progression:
Cat Caring Hobby Levels:
- 1st Cat: Unlocked at D.G. Member Level 12
- 2nd Cat: Cat Caring Level 3
- 3rd Cat: Cat Caring Level 5
- 4th Cat: Cat Caring Level 7
- 5th Cat: Cat Caring Level 9
Dog Caring Hobby Levels:
- 1st Dog: Unlocked after Cat Caring (D.G. Level 12+)
- 2nd Dog: Dog Caring Level 4
- 3rd Dog: Dog Caring Level 8
This means you can have a maximum of 8 active pets (5 cats + 3 dogs) once you’ve maxed out both hobbies. The boarding system becomes essential when you want to adopt new pets but have all slots occupied.
Complete Step-by-Step Pet Boarding Process
Step 1: Meet the Growth Level Requirement
Before you can board any pet, they must reach 3,000 growth points. This is non-negotiable – the game won’t let you board pets below this threshold.
Fastest Ways to Reach 3,000 Growth Points:
- Daily Feeding: The most efficient method. Feed your pet high-quality food daily
- Regular Petting: Interact with your pet daily for consistent growth
- Play Sessions: Active playtime significantly boosts growth points
- Gift Collection: Watch for gift bubbles above your pet’s head – collecting these preserves memories and increases growth
Pro Tip: According to experienced players, feeding your pet is the fastest way to accumulate growth points. Focus on finding their favorite foods for maximum efficiency!
Step 2: Take Your Pet Outside
This is a crucial step many players miss! Your pet must be actively following you to board them.
How to Take Your Pet Outside:
- Go to your home menu
- Select the pet you want to board
- Choose the “Go Out” option
- Wait for the pet to start following your character
Common Mistake: Don’t go to the pet shop while your pet is still at home. The NPC won’t recognize them for boarding!
Step 3: Navigate to Mrs. Joan’s Pet Shop
Head to Central Square and locate Mrs. Joan’s Pet Shop. This is the same location where you initially adopted your pets.
Location Details:
- Area: Central Square
- Building: Pet Shop with adoption center
- NPC: Mrs. Joan (runs both adoption and boarding)
Make sure you have sufficient Gold before entering – you’ll need exactly 20,000 Gold per pet you want to board.
Step 4: Access the Pet Boarding System
Once inside the shop, follow these precise steps:
- Do NOT talk to Mrs. Joan directly at the main counter
- Look for the blue shelf beside the reception desk
- Walk up to the shelf until you see a chat bubble icon
- Click the bubble and select “Pet Boarding” from the dialogue options
Why the shelf instead of the counter? The boarding system is separate from adoption services, which is why it’s accessed through the shelf interface.
Step 5: Select and Confirm Boarding
The boarding menu will show:
- Available pets: Those currently following you and eligible for boarding
- Pets not eligible: Those below 3,000 growth or not with you
Process:
- Select the pet(s) you want to board
- Confirm the 20,000 Gold payment per pet
- Wait for the confirmation message
- Your pet slot is now free!
Retrieving Your Boarded Pets
Good news – retrieving pets is completely free! However, there’s an important cooldown system to understand:
Retrieval Process:
- Return to Mrs. Joan’s Pet Shop
- Interact with the same blue shelf
- Select “Pet Boarding” option
- Choose which boarded pets to retrieve
- Confirm – no cost involved!
Critical Cooldown Information:
- 6:00 AM Server Time Reset: After boarding or retrieving any pet, you cannot change their status again until the next server day
- Plan Ahead: Don’t board pets right before major quests if you might need them back the same day
- Server Time Check: Find server time in your main settings menu to calculate reset timing
Advanced Pet Management Strategies
Strategy 1: Rotation System
Instead of permanently boarding pets, create a rotation system:
Weekly Rotation Example:
- Monday-Wednesday: Active pets for questing
- Thursday-Saturday: Different pets for social activities
- Sunday: Board current pets, retrieve next week’s rotation
This keeps all pets engaged and prevents any from falling behind in growth levels.
Strategy 2: Specialization Boarding
Board pets based on their strengths and current needs:
Quest-Focused Pets: Keep active pets with high quest-related skills Social Pets: Board pets that excel at social interactions when not needed High-Growth Pets: Keep pets close to leveling up for maximum efficiency
Strategy 3: Cost Optimization
Since boarding costs 20,000 Gold per pet, optimize your spending:
- Batch Boarding: Board multiple pets at once to minimize shop visits
- Growth Planning: Wait until pets reach 3,000 growth before considering boarding
- Seasonal Planning: Board pets during busy real-life periods to reduce daily care costs
Common Pet Boarding Mistakes to Avoid
Mistake 1: Forgetting the “Go Out” Step
Many players rush to the pet shop with pets still at home. Always ensure your pet is actively following you before attempting boarding.
Mistake 2: Ignoring Server Time
The 6:00 AM cooldown catches many players off guard. Always check server time before making boarding decisions.
Mistake 3: Boarding Too Early
Don’t board pets before they reach 3,000 growth. You’ll waste a trip to the shop and have to return later.
Mistake 4: Not Planning Ahead
Boarding a pet right before a major quest that requires that specific pet can leave you stuck until the next day.
Platform-Specific Considerations
Mobile Players
- Battery Saving: Boarding pets reduces daily care requirements, saving battery life
- Quick Access: Save Mrs. Joan’s Pet Shop location for quick boarding access
PC Players
- Multi-tasking: Use boarding when focusing on other game aspects like building or crafting
- Resource Management: Monitor Gold reserves more easily on PC for boarding costs
Cross-Platform Players
- Server Sync: Ensure your pet data syncs across platforms before boarding
- Consistent Timing: Maintain consistent boarding schedules across all devices
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Issue: Pet Won’t Board
Solutions:
- Verify pet has 3,000+ growth points
- Ensure pet is actively following you
- Check you have 20,000 Gold available
- Confirm you’re at the correct shelf (not main counter)
Issue: Can’t Find Pet After Retrieval
Solutions:
- Check your Pet Catalog on the in-game watch
- Verify pet returned to your home plot
- Restart the game if pet doesn’t appear immediately
Issue: Cooldown Not Working
Solutions:
- Verify server time in settings menu
- Wait until after 6:00 AM server time
- Contact support if cooldown persists beyond 24 hours
Community Insights and Pro Tips
From the Discord Community (779,552+ members):
- First Boarding Free: Some players report the first pet boarding is free (verify this applies to your account)
- Batch Efficiency: Board multiple pets in one visit for better time management
- Growth Preservation: Boarding maintains all pet progress, including affection levels
Advanced Player Strategies:
- Holiday Boarding: Board pets before vacations to maintain their happiness
- Event Preparation: Board less optimal pets before major events
- Breeding Planning: Use boarding to manage space when planning pet breeding
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Do pets lose progress when boarded?
A: No! Your pet retains all growth levels, stats, and affection when boarded. They’re essentially in storage, not losing any progress.
Q: How many pets can I board at once?
A: As long as each pet meets the 3,000 growth requirement and you have 20,000 Gold per pet, you can board all your active pets simultaneously.
Q: Is pet boarding worth the cost?
A: Absolutely! At 20,000 Gold, boarding is cheaper than replacing pets and allows you to maintain relationships with all your companions while adopting new ones.
Q: Can I board pets during events?
A: Yes, but be mindful of event requirements. Some events may need specific pets, so plan accordingly around the 6:00 AM cooldown.
Q: Do boarded pets need care?
A: No, boarded pets are automatically cared for in the boarding facility. You don’t need to feed or interact with them while boarded.
Q: How long can I board a pet?
A: There’s no time limit – you can board pets indefinitely. However, remember they won’t gain growth points while boarded.
Q: Can other players see my boarded pets?
A: No, boarded pets are private to your account and not visible to other players.
Conclusion
Mastering the pet boarding system in Heartopia opens up incredible possibilities for expanding your furry family while maintaining strong bonds with all your companions. With this comprehensive guide, you now have everything needed to efficiently manage your pet slots, optimize your Gold spending, and never miss out on adopting that perfect pet again.
Remember to bookmark this guide for future reference, as Heartopia continues to evolve with updates and new features. The pet boarding system remains one of the most valuable mechanics for dedicated pet collectors and casual players alike.
Related Heartopia Guides
For more comprehensive Heartopia strategies, check out these guides:
- Heartopia Animal Trough Guide – All 8 locations and favorite foods
- How to Get Fertilizer in Heartopia – Complete farming guide
- Heartopia Meteor Shard Locations – Cosmic pet collection
- Best Parenting Games – Similar cozy simulation games