Finding Top Boarding Kennels for Your Pets
Every pet owner has to face the possibility of boarding his or her animal at one time or another. But this prospect makes some pet owners anxious – how do you know if they’re treating your dog well? How do you find the best boarding kennel?
Here are some tips and ideas on what to look for in a top boarding kennel for your fur baby.
Determine What’s Important to You
Pet owners have different ideas about how their pets should be treated; what’s important to one pet owner may not be to another. This depends on factors such as pet temperament, owner expectations, physical characteristic (such as long hair), breed of pet, etc. So sit down and make a list of what matters to you in a boarding kennel. Maybe it’s daily exercise, how much freedom the pets have, or the kennel’s grooming practices.
Visit
If possible, visit a prospective boarding kennel unannounced. Just walk in and look for some key characteristics, such as:
* Is there a staff person available?
* How does the staff act toward your dog? Do they greet him/her? Do they have a nice way with your pet?
* Are staff members willing to answer your questions and take you on a tour of the facility?
* Take a look at the pets that are there – although some pets are anxious no matter what kind of care they receive, look around and see if, overall, the pets seem happy and content.
* Look to see if the pets have plenty of water and food.
* Especially look for sanitary conditions. Cat boxes should be clean, and dogs’ kennels should not have feces or urine in them.
* Look for adequate ventilation and light.
* Are the cats kept well away from the dogs? Cats can get very anxious if they are constantly subjected to the sounds, sights, and smells of dogs.
* How does it smell? A clean, well-kept kennel should not reek.
* The facility should also not be too cold or too hot, and exercise areas should have a weather-protected option in case of rain or snow.
What to Ask
Here are some things you might consider asking the staff about their kennel.
* If pets get severely anxious, what will you do?
* What is your protocol in case of illness or injury of the pet?
* Do you have a vet on site? If not, what vet do you use?
* Do you provide special foods for pets with food allergies? If not, may I provide my pet’s food and treats?
* How often are the pets exercised?
* How often are the kennel areas cleaned?
Cost
Like hotels, some kennels are going to have more amenities and therefore cost more. But others cost a lot without offering any extras, so make sure you do some price comparison. Here are some things to keep in mind as you compare prices.
* Do you charge for a full day if I pick my pet up in the morning?
* Are you closed Sundays?
* Do you provide toys, blankets and bed, or do I need to provide those?
* May I offset the cost by providing my pet’s food and treats?