Dog Boarding

About Dog Boarding

Dog boarding kennels are professional boarding facilities that offer a home-away-from-home for pets whose owners may be travelling or are temporarily unable to care for their pets.

For a fee, Dog boarding facilities will house, feed, exercise, and clean up after your pet. Prices for these accommodations can vary greatly, depending on your dog's size, but on the average, you can expect to pay anywhere between $20.00 and $65.00 per day.

Other services such as grooming, personal play/attention, and training may be offered at an additional cost to the standard boarding fees, and you are free to add or decline these services as you wish.

Making a Reservation

Plan to call a kennel well in advance of when you plan to leave your dog in order to be sure space is available when you need it. At this time, you will be asked various questions about your pet, including his size, age, temperament, and whether he is current on his vaccinations.

You should also let the staff know of any medical needs your dog may have, such as any medications he's currently on, if he has a history of seizures, etc.

To reserve your pet's space, you'll likely be asked to make a credit card deposit, and you will need to provide definite dates for when you plan to drop your pet off and pick him up again. Be sure to ask how much cancellation notice is required in case your travel plans change or fall through, and if there will be additional late fees above the standard boarding charges if you are unable to return when planned. Without a proper cancellation notice, you may be charged for your reservation whether you bring your pet or not.

Selecting the Right Facility

Now that we've covered the basics, it's time to discuss how to weed out lesser dog boarding facilities to find the best kennel to care for your pet during your absence.

The Surprise Visit

Making an unannounced visit to a prospective dog boarding kennel can tell you a lot about how the establishment is run. In the best circumstances, you should be given a friendly greeting and a quick tour of the facilities if you make it known that you are a potential customer. If you are turned away or asked to call for an appointment, move on to the next establishment. There may be nothing amiss, but if there's nothing to hide, your visit shouldn't present too much of a problem.

If you are granted a tour, here are some important things to ask and look for.

Is there a vet on staff?

Though it's likely your pet won't need any medical care, it's good to know it's available if needed. If there isn't a vet on the grounds, ask if they have arrangements with a veterinarian nearby.

Are there smoke alarms throughout the building?

If tragedy strikes, the early warning provided by smoke alarms can certainly help save the lives of both staff and pets. Nearly all city ordinances require the use of alarms and a sprinkler system, so if this establishment doesn't have them, find another.

How clean is the facility?

Keeping in mind that dogs may relieve themselves at any time, just how cleanly is the building? If the building is sufficiently staffed, the area should be well kept and unpleasant smells should be at a minimum. Make sure there are either urine guards or enough space between dog kennels to keep male dogs from urinating into their neighbor's space.

The timing of your visit should also be taken into consideration. If you arrive first thing in the morning as the staff is going through clean up and exercising the dogs, you can expect a bit more mess than you might find later in the day.

Also be on the lookout for signs of flea infestation. If many of the dogs seem to be scratching a lot, fleas and/or mites may be present.

Does each dog have adequate space?

At the minimum, dogs should be able to stand up and turn around in their sleeping quarters and should be allowed time during the day to exercise in larger kennel runs. Additionally, none of the surfaces that dogs come in contact with should be sharp, or they might become injured.

Overcrowding may be a sign that a kennel is more interested in collecting boarding fees than in providing adequate care. If this seems the case, then you should consider looking for another place to keep your pet.

How happy do the dogs in residence seem?

Some pets may mope until their owner returns, but most dogs will make the adjustment to kennel life if they are being well cared for. Take a moment to observe the pets and the way the staff interacts with them, as this can tell you a lot about how well your dog may adjust to the situation.

Conclusion

An inspection can reveal a lot about how any dog boarding kennel is run, but it may not tell you everything. In the end, you'll need to rely on what your instincts tell you. Does the kennel seem to be a decent place to leave your pet, or are you left with an uneasy feeling after your visit? Does the kennel offer any references from satisfied customers, and does your local Better Business Bureau have information on the establishment in question? In the end, the decision on where to board your pet is yours alone.

External Links

• BreederWeb.com is a dog kennel directory.
• Pet Care Directory is a listing of boarding kennels.

If you also own cats, you might like to visit LoveToKnow Cats for more info on Cat Boarding.