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Find The Perfect Boarding Kennel

If you are going on vacation, as you pack up your luggage, you also need to find a kennel, a home away from home, for your dog while you’re gone. Maybe you are only taking your briefcase off to work, but while your dog is at home alone he is getting bored and maybe even destructive. You and he will be happier if he spends his days getting more stimulation and play than he would alone at home. Before you pack up your dog’s luggage for the day, an overnight, or a longer stay at the kennel, here are the right questions to ask.

Find out as much as possible about the kennel on the phone. Ask about price and availability, and what immunizations they require. Do they have indoor/outdoor runs? Are their facilities, heated or air-conditioned if needed? Find out if they can accommodate any special needs your pet might have, including his breed. Will your dog be allowed to play with other dogs in a play yard? Are playmates selected to be of like size and temperament? What luggage can you bring for your dog? Will he be allowed to have his own food, his own toys, and his own dog bed? These are things that can reduce the stress of separation. What other services are offered? Are the dogs walked daily? For how long? Can they have playtime with a human? For dogs who do not get along well with other dogs, this is important.

Once you have picked your list of possible kennels, it’s time to check them out in person. Here’s what to look for:
If you go in unannounced, and they don’t want to give you a tour, scratch that one off your list. Realize that if you go in at cleaning time, things may be in disarray, but if you arrive in the afternoon and the cages and runs have yet to be cleaned, that’s a bad sign. The facility should be well ventilated, well sanitized, and free of offensive odors. There should be no sign of animal feces or parasites like fleas, ticks or flies. Ask how frequently they clean.

Ask to see where your pet will sleep, and play. There should be solid dividers between each boarder, along with barriers between runs that are high enough to keep male dogs from urinating into adjacent runs. Is the indoor area where you dog will sleep airconditioned and heated? This may not be a big deal if you live in a temperate climate, but if you live where it's cold in the winter, or hot in the summer, your dog will need some climate control.

Find out how often the dogs are fed. They should be fed a high quality, name brand diet twice a day. You may, however, prefer to bring in your own food, so find out if this is possible. Also, each dog should have his own dog bowlfor water, and be sure to ask how often they are given water.

Notice whether the employees are friendly and cooperative? Are they willing to take the time to answer your questions? Are they trained, caring and observant? How they interact with the other boarding pets. Do they take their time when handling them and treat them gently? Or do they appear hurried, impatient and in a rush? Be sure to ask if there is staff on premises 24 hours a day. Be sure to observe the behavior of the other pets.

Find out if there is a veterinarian available and if they are certified, along with what procedures are taken if a pet appears ill or refuses to eat. If you don't see any sort of fire system, ask about it. Is the building fire alarmed directly to a local fire station?

The best recommendation for a kennel is your dog himself. Before leaving him for an extended stay, let him stay overnight. If he seems happy when you arrive, (as opposed to stressed and trying desperately to escape to your car), you know you have found the right place.

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