Choosing a Boarding Facility

There are many situations where you may not be able to care for your canine friend and need to find a place for them to stay. Some people choose to ask a friend or neighbor to care for their pets. Others hire a pet sitter to live in their home or make daily visits. Still others send their pets to a professional boarding facility or kennel.

The following section will help you in deciding where your fur baby should stay while you are away and give you some tips on what you can do to ensure that he or she receives the best care possible.

Ask for Referrals and Check References
When searching for a reliable boarding facility, often the best place to start is to ask your veterinarian, dog trainer, dog-owning friends or neighbours for a referral. When visiting the boarding facility, ask them to provide references from past or existing clients. Then ask these owners how many times they have boarded their pet at the facility, for how long, and what their experience has been.

Pay a Visit
A visit to the boarding facility will help determine whether it is the kind of place you'll want to leave your fur baby. If possible, get a tour. Depending on time of day and physical layout, not all kennels allow visitors, but see as much as you can. Be sure to view the area where your dog will sleep and exercise. Ask lots questions.

Appearance
The boarding facility should look and smell clean and neat. The runs or rooms should be free of dirt, fecal accumulation, odors and parasite infestation (flies, fleas, ticks.) There should also be a strict schedule of disinfecting.

Security
Look for sturdy, well-maintained fencing, gates, and dividers between runs or cages. If your dog is a climber, digger, or other kind of escape artist, tell the staff so that extra precautions can be taken.

Safety
Areas where your pet will stay or play should be free of sharp edges, harmful chemicals, and small objects your pet may swallow. Floors should have good traction even when wet. There should be plenty of ventilation, with fresh air available even in the event of a power failure. The boarding facility should not be overcrowded.

Supervision
Proper supervision is the key to good boarding. Pets should be checked frequently during the day, even on days when the boarding facility office is closed, and at least once overnight. This check should be performed by someone who is trained to recognize and evaluate signs of illness and distress, and to determine if veterinary assistance is needed. Ask questions to check the competence of kennel staff.

Health and Veterinary Care
While feeding procedures vary, a boarding facility should be eager to accommodate your pet’s individual dietary needs, within reason, and should ask for information about your dog’s eating habits. Ask about the procedure for obtaining veterinary care, if necessary. Be sure that kennel staff will promptly seek veterinary care in an emergency even if they cannot reach you. If your pet requires medication, check on the kennel’s policy. The boarding facility should require basic immunizations for all animals and should do a pre-admission check for fleas and other parasites.

Comfort
The boarding facility should be able to maintain indoor temperatures within healthful, comfortable limits for your pet, no matter what the weather is like outside. If your pet requires warmer or cooler temperatures than are normally provided, ask if special arrangements can be made. Dogs should have enough space to enable them to run, either in an individual run or during scheduled exercise periods in a fenced yard or indoor space. They should have primary enclosures that are roomy enough for the animal to stand up, turn around and stretch. All pets should be housed in clean, dry, indoor locations.

Boarding Agreement
The boarding facility should have a written agreement that clearly states your rights and the kennel's responsibilities. It should specify exactly where your pet will be kept and the qualifications of the person who will care for your pet. This protects you and the boarding facility from any misunderstandings in these areas.



Visit with different boarding facility and do your research. Talk with the owner and get acquainted with the people who will be caring for your dog. Ask lots of questions; take nothing for granted. Discuss frankly any qualms you may have about boarding. They will appreciate your frankness and interest. Ultimately, the decision is yours as to which facility will offer the best care for your fur baby. Finding the right boarding facility for your canine friend will give you the comfort and peace of mind while you cannot be with him or her.