Tips for Finding the Right Pet Boarding Facility

Bringing your pet in might be the best decision… but that doesn’t make it any easier. However, knowing that they are safe and that they will enjoy their stay can help relieve your stress!

Being away from our pets is never easy. But there are times when they simply cannot accompany us. In those situations, knowing they are in good hands and have a blast can help ease our anxieties and reduce the guilt we may feel. And that’s why it’s so important to take the time to find the right petting facility for your fluffy family members!

While you may never intend to leave your pet behind, it is unpredictable when unexpected circumstances may require you to opt for boarding. It will be less stressful for you and your pet if you have a good plan!

Is pet boarding the best option?

Before you start researching pet facilities, consider whether another care option might be better for your pet. For example, finding a pet sitter to stay with your dog or cat will allow your pet to be in familiar surroundings.

Some pets do better indoors, while some prefer to stay at home. It all depends on the pet. Thinking about your pet’s personality, likes and dislikes, and comfort level around other animals will tell you which option they prefer.

READ MORE Pet boarding or a pet sitter – Which is best for your pet?

Search for a pet boarding facility

When looking for boarding options, start by asking friends where their pets are. You’ll probably get a few recommendations to start looking at.

Next, decide if you want your pet to stay at a boarding facility or at someone’s home. Home boarding offers more individual attention, a more familiar home environment, and usually doesn’t involve a crib or crib.

Boarding facilities are generally safer with double gates and high fences. Many also offer other amenities such as grooming and daycare, allowing dogs on premises the opportunity to play with other dogs for a few hours a day. For pets with health problems, finding a veterinarian who also provides inpatient services can be a good option.

You can search GoPetFriendly.com for boarding facilities. Home boarding options are listed on services such as rover.comwhere pet professionals are tested before joining their network.

You may need to board your pet for a short period of time when traveling together. In that case, many pet-friendly hotels, campgrounds, and resort property owners can recommend facilities in their area. Check with staff when you book accommodation and make any boarding reservations for your pet in advance.

If you have an exotic pet that needs special care, try contacting a local organization or society to find its species. They can make boarding recommendations.

Questions to ask, ask, ask

Once you have several boarding options to choose from, call each one to gather additional information. The first question to ask is whether you can get a tour of the facility. If the answer is no – continue. Any place that doesn’t tell you where your pet will be is not a place you should leave it.

Also, think twice about places that require you to schedule a visit in advance. It’s a good sign that the staff is happy to show you around, even though they haven’t given you advance notice to prepare for your visit.

For those of the first hurdles, here are some additional questions to ask:

• What vaccinations does my pet need before boarding?
• Are all the spaces my pet will be able to reach with adequate fencing?
• Is there a 24/7 staff?
• Is the base temperature controlled?
• Are there enough smoke detectors and security cameras? Is there a fire sprinkler system?
• Is there a live camera feed so I can check on my pet? Can you send pictures with updates during his stay?
• How much and what other pets will my pet be exposed to?
• What procedures are in place to ensure pets receive the necessary medication?
• What steps will be taken in a veterinary emergency?
• Can she bring her own food, bedding, and favorite toys?
• How often are the pets fed?
• How much time will my pet spend in its own room or running and playing in a group?
• What is the ratio of pets to staff during group play?
• Will group play be canceled if the weather is inclement?
• When in his personal room or running, will he have access to indoor and outdoor?
• Will he be crammed any moment?
• Was he ever taken out of the facility for a walk or for other reasons? (This can increase the chances of pets getting lost.)
• Can additional services be added, like bedtime chewing or treatment, or pre-pickup grooming?

Narrow the options

After asking all of your questions, a few options will likely stand out. To determine which pet shelter is right for your pet, you’ll have to dig a little deeper.

This is the time to do your sightseeing. Allow yourself plenty of time to look at each facility and ask any additional questions you have. Pay attention to whether there is adequate security to prevent pets from escaping, that the kennel is clean and has a pleasant smell, and observe that the staff is attentive and caring for the animals. Ask where your pet will sleep, play, and exercise. Finally, pay attention to the animals’ behavior – are they happy and content or do they seem overly nervous or stressed?

After forming your own impression, look at online reviews for the facilities you are still considering. Nextdoor.com is a great source for advice on boarding.

READ MORE 59 National Parks Where Your Dog Can Be a Ranger BARK

Schedule a test run

Once you’ve finally chosen what you believe is the best boarding option for your pet, it’s time to see what they think! You will probably need to provide immunization records and fill out an application. You may also be asked to schedule a pet behavior assessment, which allows staff to know your pet’s likes and dislikes.

If this is your pet’s first time boarding, perhaps start by scheduling a half-day visit. If all goes well, try staying overnight.

These test runs allow you to observe your pet’s behavior when they return to the boarding house and see how they react when you bring them back to the facility for a return visit.

The first time we let our dogs, Ty and Buster, we chose a very luxurious facility with TVs in each doggy suite and a beautiful indoor/outdoor play area. How wonderful it is to soothe our guilt for abandoning them! But when we went back, it seemed that both dogs had forgotten all their training. My guess is that their stay is free-spirited, regardless of any proper decorum rules.

The facility we used then was more spartan, but it had a calm energy and the dogs didn’t run. They don’t watch Animal Planet on private television, but they are well cared for and spend most of their day wandering the large dog yard. Best of all, Buster and Ty were both happily exhausted when we picked them up, and sometimes their behavior even improved!

Myles will experience her first boarding this weekend. Hopefully, all will be well. Is there anything else we should consider? Leave a note in the comments section below!

(Visited 1 time, 1 visit today)