| Chances are, at one time or another you will need to | | | | outdoor exercise areas and runs. Are they protected |
| turn to someone else to care for your dog. Perhaps | | | | from the elements? Is the noise level overwhelming? |
| you've accepted a work assignment that will keep | | | | Although it is impossible to prevent dogs from |
| you out of town for a month. Maybe you're finally | | | | barking, especially while someone is walking through |
| going on that long awaited cruise. Whatever the | | | | the facility, the kennel should not be overcrowded to |
| reason, you find yourself in need of someone | | | | the point where dogs are constantly barking. |
| dependable and trustworthy to care for Rover. | | | | Observe any activities offered. Note especially how |
| Although some dogs do best at home with a pet | | | | aggressive dogs are handled. |
| sitter, other dogs do better in a boarding kennel. | | | | Brass tacks: If your first impressions are favorable, |
| Consider your dog's personality and needs before | | | | then get down to details. You need to know if pets |
| making a decision. | | | | are required to be current on vaccinations. Some |
| Things to know up front: For kennels, pet boarding is | | | | kennels now require that your dog be vaccinated |
| a business. Their success depends on volume as | | | | against Bordetella, canine kennel cough. Many kennels |
| much as quality care. Kennels care for many animals | | | | will allow you to bring your dog's regular food. It not |
| at the same time and your pet will probably be kept | | | | only cuts down on their costs, but helps your dog |
| in a cage or run. Don't expect a kennel to give your | | | | adjust to kennel life. If it is important that your pet |
| pet the same kind of attention and affection that | | | | stay on his regular diet, ask; don't just assume. What |
| you do; it just won't happen. But good kennels | | | | veterinary services are available? Does the kennel |
| employee people with a natural love of dogs that will | | | | have a vet on call? You may prefer that the kennel |
| be kind and gentle and care for your pet to the best | | | | call your vet if there is a need. Make this information |
| of their ability. | | | | readily available and let your vet know that your pet |
| Kennel choices: Most vet offices offer boarding | | | | will be staying at a kennel while you are gone. Ask |
| services. While vet office care may be limited, with | | | | questions about feeding schedules. If your pet needs |
| smaller cages and limited exercise opportunities, many | | | | regular doses of medication, make sure this service is |
| people, especially those whose animals have medical | | | | offered. Find out how much exercise your dog will be |
| needs, feel more secure leaving their pets with a | | | | getting and how often they are allowed to potty. |
| trusted vet. Other owners turn to private boarding | | | | Can you bring your dog's bedding from home and his |
| kennels that can range from bare-bones to luxurious. | | | | favorite toy? Is it important to you that a staff |
| Sparse facilities do not differ much from vet offices. | | | | member be on the property around the clock? If so, |
| Cages are usually small and exercise is limited to two | | | | make sure this is the case at your chosen facility. Be |
| walks a day. More expensive facilities offer mixed | | | | sure to get a breakdown of charges. Some services |
| playtime for dogs that are socialized, outdoor | | | | are included in basic daily rates, some are not. If price |
| exercise areas, larger runs rather than cages, and | | | | is an issue, get the details worked out up front so |
| grooming services (all of which may be at an extra | | | | you won't be surprised when you get home. And |
| charge). Upscale doggie hotels are all the rage in | | | | last, but not least, trust your instincts. If you just |
| some areas. Your dog may receive a massage, bath | | | | don't feel good about a particular kennel, go |
| and haircut, obedience training, soothing music and | | | | somewhere else. |
| luxurious bedding while you're gone. | | | | Prepare your pet: So, you've taken all the preliminary |
| Where to start: Whatever level of care you decide | | | | measures and selected a kennel for your pet. Now |
| on, there are some basic things to know and do | | | | you need to prepare Rover for his stay. If the facility |
| before making a final decision on where to board | | | | offers doggy day care services in addition to longer |
| your pet. Price, comfort, health and safety are all | | | | term care, give your pet the chance to try it out. |
| valid concerns. After all, you're entrusting someone | | | | Take him once or twice for just the day. Take |
| else with one of the most emotionally valuable things | | | | special note of his first impressions and reactions. |
| in your life. | | | | Quiz the staff on his behavior and interaction with |
| Ask friends, neighbors, family, and your vet or dog | | | | the other animals. |
| trainer for recommendations. Then do a little | | | | Be sure your pet knows basic commands. Make sure |
| background investigation. If your state requires | | | | he is current on vaccinations and is flea-free (most |
| licensing and inspections, make sure the kennels you | | | | kennels require it). If your pet is going to be at the |
| are considering are in good standing. Also ask | | | | kennel for an extended time, you may consider a trial |
| whether the prospective kennel belongs to the | | | | run of a weekend excursion. This allows you to work |
| American Boarding Kennels Association. This trade | | | | out any kinks before the longer stay. If necessary, |
| association promotes professional standards, requires | | | | teach your dog to sit before being petted or fed and |
| members subscribe to a code of ethics, and offers | | | | to walk quietly on a leash. Socialize him to strangers, |
| accreditation for professionalism, safety and quality | | | | especially if medication or grooming will be provided |
| of care. If you're satisfied that a kennel meets basic | | | | at the kennel. Make sure he is accustomed to a crate |
| requirements, schedule a visit. | | | | if he will be in one at the kennel. It will make the stay |
| What to look for: First impressions are important. | | | | less stressful and fearful for your pet. |
| Sniff the air as soon as you walk in. There should be | | | | Prepare the kennel staff: No one likes surprises, not |
| no strong antiseptic smell or odor of urine or feces. | | | | even kennel staff who are accustomed to working |
| Some antiseptic odor is understandable in concrete | | | | with all animal personalities. If your dog has any |
| areas, but if odors assail your nose as you walk in | | | | unusual fears, aggression triggers or other |
| the door, you may want to consider another kennel. | | | | idiosyncrasies, be honest for the safety and |
| Look for a pleasant atmosphere. Do the current | | | | well-being of all involved. Let them know if Rover is |
| boarded dogs look happy? Do they come to the | | | | not reliably housetrained, hates men or eats things |
| front of the kennel to greet you? Dogs that lie to | | | | he's not supposed to. |
| the back and do not interact are a bad sign. Is the | | | | On kennel day: Exercise Rover before you turn him |
| staff competent, confident, friendly and caring or do | | | | over to the kennel staff. Leave the kids at home. |
| they seem harassed and irritable? Are there a | | | | Walk in the kennel door, give Rover a gentle pat, tell |
| sufficient number of workers or are they | | | | him you'll see him soon and let him go. Long |
| short-handed and overworked? Is the kennel owner | | | | goodbyes, hugs and tears will only stress out your |
| ready and willing to show you where your dog will be | | | | pet (and you). He's not going to hate you for leaving. |
| housed and exercise areas? If not, cross this one off | | | | Go have fun. |
| your list. | | | | Coming home: One last thing, don't be surprised or |
| Make mental notes as you tour the facilities. Are dog | | | | alarmed if your dog segregates himself and sleeps a |
| beds clean? Look for clean food bowls and water | | | | lot upon coming home. He is not upset with you or |
| bowls without scum or floating objects. Are the runs | | | | had a miserable time. Dogs in kennels are awake |
| clean or is there feces lying around? It's impossible to | | | | from the crack of dawn until nighttime. They are |
| keep all runs clean 100% of the time, but you'll be | | | | excited by barking dogs, meal times and visitors |
| able to tell the difference between filth and recent | | | | walking past them. He may simply be exhausted. |
| deposits. Is the kennel yard full of debris? Is the | | | | Boarding kennels can be a good solution for those |
| building in need of serious repair? Is there good | | | | times when your pet has to be left behind. Do your |
| ventilation and a comfortable temperature? If | | | | homework and find the best facility for you and your |
| possible, take a look at the kitchen. A clean kitchen is | | | | pet. It is well worth the time. Your peace of mind |
| a good indicator of a clean pet area. Get a tour of | | | | and your pet's health are your reward. |