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Deciding to take a pet to a boarding kennel is a huge decision. It involves a lot of research and questioning. If your animal is a large part of your household and a cherished pet, it can be a stressful choice. Feeling comfortable with where you leave your pet is very important. Following are some things to watch for and questions to ask that will either shy you away or make you feel good about the boarding kennel.
The first step is to call around to boarding kennels in your area. If they sound less than amused and bored with answering your questions, chances are this is how they will be when caring for your animal. If they are interested in you, this is a good sign. Ask if you can stop by to look at the surroundings. If they even hesitate, there is something they don’t want you to see. This should stray you away from them immediatly.
The second and most important step is to bring your pet to the potential boarding kennel and survey the place. The key to bringing your pet along is to see how the employees act around the animal. An ideal boarding kennel should be warm, loving, and pay more attention to your pet than to you. If this happens, feel confident that your pet will be well taken care of. Another thing to look at is how well the grounds are taken care of. Well-kept grounds mean the inside will generally be the same. The lawn should be trimmed neatly and shrubs or flowers (during summer) should be present. This shows that they take pride in there appearance. Check to see that the individual kennel area is clean and well kept. Make sure the odors are minimal and all animals have fresh water and food. Check that the kennels are large enough and the area that the animal is in is clean.
Another note, if bringing a dog to the kennel, is that they have ample exercise room. They should have a large, fenced in area for the dogs to run and play. Ask them how many times they are let out and for what length of time. Usually for a couple dollars more a day they will play ball with your dog or let them out more often. This special attention makes the kennel time for the dog less stressful. This can be highly worth the extra money and will make the stay more enjoyable.
Check that the kennel is not overloaded. If they are booked, but say they will make room this is not a good sign. This means that they are scrunching dogs together and not giving them enough room. Overcrowding is something that you want to stay clear of, so make your reservations as much ahead of time as you can. This will ensure that you are at the top of the list for a kennel.
If the kennel does not have a veternarian on site check that they have one available twenty four hours a day to help with the animals. Hopefully, you will never have to use this service, but if your pet is sick you should know that they have someone on call to handle it. Give them an emergency phone number so that they can call you before taking any drastic measures for your pet. This will ensure that if anything comes up, you will be notified.
Overall, boarding kennels are a great place to keep a dog while away from home. They are usually cheap, ranging from nine to fifteen dollars a night. They are a safe place to keep a pet and you can relax about the care they are receiving. Use your instinct to decide on the kennel that is right for your animal. If they are happy with the results, feel reassured that you have made the right decision.
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