Leaving your pet for any length of time can make you nervous because your pet is like another member of the family. You want to know that the person your are leaving your pet with is qualified to take care of them and that they will also provide them with a little love and support while you are out of town. If you have never chosen a pet boarding kennel before, here are the steps you need to follow.
Get Recommendations
The first step in finding the right kennel from your pet is to get a few recommendations of local places. These recommendations will often come from family and friends, but you can also ask your vet if they recommend any places in the area as well. Once you have a list of a at least three kennels, you can begin to research your choices.
Schedule a Visit
The best way to determine if a specific kennel is right for your pet is to schedule a visit to the facility. The first thing you want to look for is a state licensing or certificate for the facility. This requirement will vary from state to state, so it is important to know how kennels can earn that licensing.
The next thing to look for is how clean the facility is, what types of accommodations each pet is provided with and what types of activities are available for the pets. You will also want to observe the staff to see how qualified they with the pets.
Ask Plenty of Questions
Before leaving your pet at any facility, you will want to get specific answers on a wide range of questions. The questions you ask will vary depending your pet, but they can include whether all pets are required to be up to date on vaccinations, if the facility has resting places that are off of concrete floors, what vet services are available and how much grooming and bathing is provided in the cost.
If your pet has special needs, you will also want to find out if these can be accommodated. Special needs such as medication, bringing the pet's own food and mandatory exercise should all be discussed up front to see if the kennel is willing to work with you.
Prep Your Pet for Their Stay
If your pet has never boarded in a kennel before, it is important to get them used to it, especially if you are going on a long trip. To test your pet and the facility of your choice, board them for one night to see how the situation works out. If it works out well, you have found the kennel that is right for your pet.
