Choosing a Boarding Facility for Your Dog

Most dog owners encounter the need to seek overnight or longer term care for their pets at some point. Vacation, business trips and unexpected family emergencies are a few situations for which extended dog care is often sought. For millions of dog owners, professional boarding facilities are the ideal means of ensuring that their pets receive proper care in their owners’ absence. In selecting a boarding facility for your dog, care should be taken to ensure that the facility and its staff provide a suitable environment and care for your pet during his or her stay.

If possible, a boarding kennel should be selected and reservations made well in advance. Advance reservations are particularly important if the dates of services needed are during the summer or coincide with a holiday, when demand is particularly high. Scheduling boarding services in advance also allows you time to ensure that your dog is up to date on all vaccinations, including those required by the boarding kennel. Below we offer some guidelines to get you started on your search for a boarding facility for your dog.

What to Do:

-Use the phone book or the internet to locate boarding facilities in your area.
-Ask friends and relatives who have patronized boarding facilities in your area for recommendations.
-Compile a list of questions to ask of the staff at each facility, make phone calls, and follow up with a visit to the facilities that stand out (make appointments if necessary). Some examples of questions to include in your evaluation are below.

What to Ask:

-Does your facility belong to any recognized pet care organizations? (For example, the Pet Care Services Association requires members to adhere to a strict code of ethics focusing on the security, safety, and well-being of animals).
-Do you have size or other restrictions? Does your facility have availability on (dates services needed)?
-What vaccinations are required prior to boarding?
-What services are included in the fee? What additional services do you offer for an extra charge (for example, one-on-one play time, grooming, extra exercise, etc.)
-Will my dog be staying in a kennel or a run? How much exercise and interaction will my dog receive per day?
-What is the procedure for veterinary care and medical emergencies during my pet’s stay?
-What is the policy regarding administering medication to my dog?

Be sure to address any special needs or requirements unique to your dog, such as medications, allergies, behavioral issues and dietary restrictions. If your dog has never been boarded and you will be away for an extended period, you may consider taking your dog to the facility for an overnight stay or during day care first. Some dog owners find it helpful to allow their dogs to adjust to the boarding facility and staff prior to leaving their dogs for an extended stay.