Angie's List: Tips for Preparing your pet for boarding
LEWISTON, ID - You need to take as much time figuring out where you're going to board Fido as you do making your own arrangements.
If you're planning to hit the road this summer, but not planning to take your dog or cat now is the time to find a place for them to stay.
"If you're going to be traveling and need to find a place for your pet to stay while you're away, obviously talking to family and friends is an option, boarding your pet, or even pet sitting are all common options. But you need to plan early because especially around the 4th of July holiday and the busy holiday weekends throughout the summer, they are going to book up fast,” Angie Hicks from Angie’s List said.
You may not be able to visit your vacation spot before booking, but it's a great idea to visit wherever you plan to board your pet.
"First, you want to research the boarding kennel if you're going to be using a kennel. Visit it, and take your pet there as well. Make sure you are comfortable - ask for a tour of the facilities. Then, ask them what kind of amenities they have for your pet. Whether it's video cameras where you can actually watch your pet while you are away, which many pet owners really enjoy,” Hicks said.
The facility should look and smell clean and have enough space for your pet to stretch its legs and slumber when it’s tired.
"I shopped around a little bit for doggie kennels and I landed at the one I ended up with because one was price," said pet owner Janine Garner. "I wanted to make sure I was getting the value for my money. Also I was looking for a place that had both indoor/outdoor dog kennels, because he loves to be outside and I wanted him to be able to have that freedom of indoor/outdoor.”
Make sure you ask about rates. Some facilities have a checkout time. If you don't pick up your pet by that time you could be charged an additional day. Ask if there are there additional fees for administering medication or taking extra walks.
You should also check if your state requires boarding kennel inspections, if so, the facility should display this information. A reputable facility will require all pets to be current on their vaccinations and ask for proof of that information.
We often hear about dogs coming down with kennel cough which is something your dog can catch without the proper vaccinations.
Angie’s List tips for picking a pet boarding/daycare facility:
Visit the facility: A reputable facility will ask that you bring your pet in to gauge how he/she reacts to the other pet. Use this time to get to know the staff and introduce your pet to the staff.
Take a look: The facility should look and smell clean. Do employees regularly clean up? How is the facility set up? Is it safe for your pet? Are indoor/outdoor runs available? Is there enough space in the sleeping areas?
Proper supervision: Ask how many pets the facility accommodates. Do they have enough staff to ensure proper supervision? Do they staff the area 24/7? Do they have a veterinarian on staff?
License/certification: Check if your state requires boarding kennel inspections. If so, the facility should display this information.
Are they a member? Ask whether the facility belongs to the American Boarding Kennels Association or ABKA. This is a trade association that promotes professional standards of pet care.
Ask about rates: Some facilities have a checkout time. If you don’t pick up your pet by that time you could be charged an additional day. Are there additional fees for administering medication or taking extra walks?
Vaccination requirements: A reputable facility will require all pets to be current on their vaccinations and ask for proof of that information.
Schedule setup: Ask about the pet’s schedule. Most facilities have specific times set up for the pets to eat, play and sleep.
Additional services: Some pet boarding facilities now offer grooming and training services. Some facilities even have web cams on their website so you can watch your pet from a computer.
Angie’s List Tips for Preparing Your Pet for Boarding:
Book early: Make your pet’s reservation as early as possible; especially during holidays when many kennels tend to fill quickly.
Test run: Give your pet a trial run at a boarding facility for a short trip, like a weekend. That allows you to work out any problems before boarding your pet for an extended period should you go out of town on vacation.
Be prepared: Be sure to provide the facility with your pet’s food and medications, if needed. They should also have your vet’s information and a couple of phone numbers where they can reach you in case of an emergency.
Consider other options: If your pet has an aggression problem, a boarding facility may not be the best idea. Another option would be to consider hiring a pet sitter to come to your home.
If you're planning to hit the road this summer, but not planning to take your dog or cat now is the time to find a place for them to stay.
"If you're going to be traveling and need to find a place for your pet to stay while you're away, obviously talking to family and friends is an option, boarding your pet, or even pet sitting are all common options. But you need to plan early because especially around the 4th of July holiday and the busy holiday weekends throughout the summer, they are going to book up fast,” Angie Hicks from Angie’s List said.
You may not be able to visit your vacation spot before booking, but it's a great idea to visit wherever you plan to board your pet.
"First, you want to research the boarding kennel if you're going to be using a kennel. Visit it, and take your pet there as well. Make sure you are comfortable - ask for a tour of the facilities. Then, ask them what kind of amenities they have for your pet. Whether it's video cameras where you can actually watch your pet while you are away, which many pet owners really enjoy,” Hicks said.
The facility should look and smell clean and have enough space for your pet to stretch its legs and slumber when it’s tired.
"I shopped around a little bit for doggie kennels and I landed at the one I ended up with because one was price," said pet owner Janine Garner. "I wanted to make sure I was getting the value for my money. Also I was looking for a place that had both indoor/outdoor dog kennels, because he loves to be outside and I wanted him to be able to have that freedom of indoor/outdoor.”
Make sure you ask about rates. Some facilities have a checkout time. If you don't pick up your pet by that time you could be charged an additional day. Ask if there are there additional fees for administering medication or taking extra walks.
You should also check if your state requires boarding kennel inspections, if so, the facility should display this information. A reputable facility will require all pets to be current on their vaccinations and ask for proof of that information.
We often hear about dogs coming down with kennel cough which is something your dog can catch without the proper vaccinations.
Angie’s List tips for picking a pet boarding/daycare facility:
Visit the facility: A reputable facility will ask that you bring your pet in to gauge how he/she reacts to the other pet. Use this time to get to know the staff and introduce your pet to the staff.
Take a look: The facility should look and smell clean. Do employees regularly clean up? How is the facility set up? Is it safe for your pet? Are indoor/outdoor runs available? Is there enough space in the sleeping areas?
Proper supervision: Ask how many pets the facility accommodates. Do they have enough staff to ensure proper supervision? Do they staff the area 24/7? Do they have a veterinarian on staff?
License/certification: Check if your state requires boarding kennel inspections. If so, the facility should display this information.
Are they a member? Ask whether the facility belongs to the American Boarding Kennels Association or ABKA. This is a trade association that promotes professional standards of pet care.
Ask about rates: Some facilities have a checkout time. If you don’t pick up your pet by that time you could be charged an additional day. Are there additional fees for administering medication or taking extra walks?
Vaccination requirements: A reputable facility will require all pets to be current on their vaccinations and ask for proof of that information.
Schedule setup: Ask about the pet’s schedule. Most facilities have specific times set up for the pets to eat, play and sleep.
Additional services: Some pet boarding facilities now offer grooming and training services. Some facilities even have web cams on their website so you can watch your pet from a computer.
Angie’s List Tips for Preparing Your Pet for Boarding:
Book early: Make your pet’s reservation as early as possible; especially during holidays when many kennels tend to fill quickly.
Test run: Give your pet a trial run at a boarding facility for a short trip, like a weekend. That allows you to work out any problems before boarding your pet for an extended period should you go out of town on vacation.
Be prepared: Be sure to provide the facility with your pet’s food and medications, if needed. They should also have your vet’s information and a couple of phone numbers where they can reach you in case of an emergency.
Consider other options: If your pet has an aggression problem, a boarding facility may not be the best idea. Another option would be to consider hiring a pet sitter to come to your home.
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