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What are the pros and cons of
using a boarding kennel?
Your pet depends on you to take
good care of her—even when you have to be out of town. Friends and neighbors may
not have the experience or time to properly look after your pet, particularly
for longer trips. So next time you have to leave your pet behind for a while,
leave pet care to the professionals, such as a pet sitter or boarding kennel.
A
facility specializing in care and overnight boarding allows your pet to:
Potential drawbacks to using a boarding kennel include:
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the stress
related to staying in an unfamiliar environment.
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the proximity
to other pets, who may expose your pet to health problems.
-
the
difficulty of finding a kennel that accepts pets other than dogs and cats.
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the
inconvenience of the drive over, which can be especially hard on a pet easily
stressed by car travel.
How do I find a good kennel?
Ask a friend, neighbor, veterinarian, animal shelter, or dog trainer for a
recommendation. You can also check the Yellow Pages under "Kennels & Pet
Boarding." Once you have names—even ones you got from reliable sources—it's
important to do a little background check.
First, find out whether your state requires boarding kennel inspections. If it
does, make sure the kennel you are considering displays a license or certificate
showing that the kennel meets mandated standards.
Also ask whether the prospective kennel belongs to the American Boarding Kennels
Association (719-667-1600), a trade association founded by kennel operators to
promote professional standards of pet care. Besides requiring members to
subscribe to a code of ethics, ABKA offers voluntary facility accreditation that
indicates the facility has been inspected and meets ABKA standards of
professionalism, safety, and quality of care.
Check, too, with the Connecticut Department of Agriculture to see whether any
complaints have been lodged against a kennel you are considering.
After selecting a few kennels, confirm that they can accommodate your pet for
specific dates and can address your pet's special needs (if any). If you're
satisfied, schedule a visit.
What should I look for?
On your visit, ask to see all the places your pet may be taken. Pay particular
attention to the following:
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Does the
facility look and smell clean?
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Is there
sufficient ventilation and light?
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Is a
comfortable temperature maintained?
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Does the
staff seem knowledgeable and caring?
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Are pets
required to be current on their vaccinations, including the vaccine for canine
kennel cough (Bordetella)? (Such a requirement helps protect your animal and
others.)
-
Does each dog
have his own adequately sized indoor-outdoor run or an indoor run and a
schedule for exercise?
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Are outdoor
runs and exercise areas protected from wind, rain, and snow?
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Are resting
boards and bedding provided to allow dogs to rest off the concrete floor?
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Are cats
housed away from dogs?
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Is there
enough space for cats to move around comfortably?
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Is there
enough space between the litter box and food bowls?
-
How often are
pets fed?
-
Can the owner
bring a pet's special food?
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What
veterinary services are available?
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Are other
services available such as grooming, training, bathing?
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How are rates
calculated?
How do I prepare my pet?
Be sure your pet knows basic commands and is well socialized around other people
and pets; if your pet has an aggression problem or is otherwise unruly, she may
not be a good candidate for boarding. Before taking your animal to the kennel,
make sure she is current on vaccinations.
It's also a good idea to accustom your pet to longer kennel stays by first
boarding her during a short trip, such as a weekend excursion. This allows you
to work out any problems before boarding your pet for an extended period.
Before you head for the kennel, double-check that you have your pet's
medications and special food (if any), your veterinarian's phone number, and
contact information for you and a local backup.
When you arrive with your pet at the boarding facility, remind the staff about
any medical or behavior problems your pet has, such as a history of epilepsy or
fear of thunder. After the check-in process, hand your pet to a staff member,
say good-bye, and leave. Avoid long, emotional partings, which may upset your
pet. Finally, have a good trip, knowing that your pet is in good hands and will
be happy to see you when you return.
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