Pet Boarding

Posted by Charla Dawson Jun 12, 2006

When traveling, taking the furry members of your family isn't always an option. You want to find the best place to leave your pets. If you don't already know of a good kennel instead of turning to the phone book ask for recommendations from friends, neighbors, family members, or your veterinarian. Some veterinary practices also have pet boarding facilities.

Once all the recommendations have rolled in start touring the facilities, if they won't give you a tour then don't board there - what are they hiding? Take note of the cleanliness and the smell, a good kennel won't smell of feces. Also ask about blankets, do all the pets have a bed or blanket? Can you bring your own? Some dogs do better if they have their own bed or favorite toy. How often are the dogs let out or walked? Some pet boarding facilities offer "dog park", a supervised playtime between dogs of all sizes that play nice with other dogs. This is usually an extra charge. Some dog kennels will give a discount if two dogs from the same family board together. Also ask about food. How often are dogs fed? Can you bring your own food? What about medications or insulin for diabetic pets? Is the staff qualified to handle these extra needs?

If you own an older pet or a pet on numerous medications check into boarding at a veterinary clinic or consider hiring a pet sitter. These senior pets sometimes do better at home where they know their surroundings. Some animals find being kenneled stressful and this may be to much for a senior pet. Veterinarians usually know someone who does pet sitting on the side and can give you a recommendation for a trusted and qualified pet sitter.