Boarding Kennels--Options for When You Can't Take Your Pet with You

Maybe your upcoming travels involve a business trip or other plans where your pet is not welcome. What do you do with your best friend while you are away? Fortunately, you have several options.

Perhaps the easiest option is to board your pet in a kennel. This is an especially good idea if you will be away for a week or longer. Check with your veterinarian or friends for a recommendation for a good kennel. You can board your pet with a stand-alone kennel, or your veterinarian may even offer boarding on site. If your pet is young and healthy, a stand-alone kennel is usually a less expensive option, but you can often find a local kennel that offers luxury accommodations for a pampered pet. The luxury accommodations might include such amenities as specially prepared meals, a television in your pet's quarters, and a kennel that has access to both the indoors and outdoors. Either type of kennel will offer daily exercising, and may offer bathing and grooming, so you come home to a pet that smells and looks nice.

Boarding your pet with your veterinarian is a good option if your pet has a medical condition or is an older pet. Boarding with your veterinarian is also a good idea if your pet requires daily injections for diabetes or other daily medications. Even if your pet is young and healthy, you might consider boarding with your veterinarian because your pet's medical information will be on-site. If your pet has a medical emergency while you are away, veterinary boarding kennels will be able to provide 24-hour medical attention. My husband and I were especially grateful for this when our Irish setter Clancy had to have emergency surgery while we were in Kansas City. Veterinary kennels often offer bathing and grooming as well.

Before you take your pet to the kennel you will need to make certain that your pet is up-to-date on his vaccinations; many boarding kennels will often require that you provide a clean bill of health from your veterinarian, proving that your pet's vaccinations are up-to-date before your pet is allowed in. This not only protects other animals from any diseases that your pet may bring in, but also protects your pet from any illnesses he might be exposed to during his stay.

No matter which option you choose, you can make your pet's stay more enjoyable by providing a few personal items to remind him of you. Pack some of your pet's favorite toys, his bed, and a familiar blanky, and provide treats for the kennel staff to give to your pet. Also, be sure to pack any medications that your pet requires. If your pet is on a special diet, be sure to provide sufficient food for your pet during his stay.

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