Top 7 - Having to Board / Get a Pet Sitter When Traveling

So you want to go on vacation, or it's an emergency...what do you do with Fifi or Fido???

Many dog owners dread the thought of having to find a boarding kennel or pet sitter for their dog, for many reasons. As a former co-owner in a boarding/grooming shop, I have had first hand experience in knowing what to expect, and the pitfalls that can happen in a boarding kennel. Many owners are very particular about where and who takes care of their pet - and they should be, since they too, are members are the family. To make choosing a kennel less stressful and to give you more of an idea of what to look for and think about before choosing one, below are some suggestions for you to take into consideration whether looking for a kennel for vacation or in an emergency.

1. Is it clean? What is the first thing you smell when you walk into a boarding kennel? When you walk into a boarding kennel the first thing you should smell is CLEAN, not a 'dog' smell. If a kennel properly cleans and maintains it's kennels as it should, there should be no offensive odor of any kind for you to smell. Do not be afraid to ask how and with what cleaners kennels are cleaned with (I used a bleach/water with a mild detergent for a cleaning mix and cavicide for disinfection) and how often they are cleaned. A good kennel will keep kennels clean, cleaning them a minimum of twice daily for those that are occupied, and moving ALL kennels to get behind and under them at LEAST weekly to ensure proper cleanliness. Also inquire and make sure that all cleaning agents are properly stored and kept put up and away from pets, and that they do not have any way or opportunity to get to them to ingest them. This is critical - you'll see why in a bit.

2. Do they use linens/towels? Be sure to ask if clean linens/towels are available to make kennels more comfortable for visiting pets, and what they are washed with. All linens/towels should be washed in hot water and not just in a mild detergent, but also bleach as well to keep them clean and safe for the next visitor's use. Linens/towels should be changed a minimum of twice daily, when the kennels are cleaned. Inquire if a washing machine and dryer are available on the premises, this is a definite plus but be sure to inquire about the washing schedule (in other words, making sure linens/towels are changed at least twice daily). If there isn't a washing machine and dryer on the premises it would be safer to assume laundry probably isn't done often enough or as it should be and you might want to look somewhere else. Many good kennels will allow you to bring your own linens/towels to make your pet more comfortable. Make sure all items are labeled properly, and be sure what you send isn't something that you don't mind getting thoroughly cleaned and bleached.

3. What is the feeding schedule? Most kennels will feed twice a day, once in the morning and once in the late afternoon - if your dog goes on a different schedule, be sure to notify the kennel. A good kennel will not complain but comply with your wishes. Many owners will bring their own food for their dog, make sure it is properly labeled, and be sure to bring enough to last for the length of time you will be gone. If you do not bring your own food and will be letting them feed the kennel 'special' be sure to inquire what dog food they feed to ensure it is nutritionally balanced and of good quality.

4. What bowls do they use for food and water? Plastic food and water bowls are a no-no in a kennel - make sure the bowls that are used are either stainless steel or heavy crock ware. These are much better and easier to keep sanitized and are safer for your pet. Inquire with what and how often they are cleaned. A water bowl should always be present, but should be removed and cleaned and and a new one placed and filled during both feeding times and checked often to make sure it never goes empty. Food bowls should be washed and cleaned twice daily and removed once food has been consumed. A mild dish detergent and bleach should be used to clean the dishes, and then after rinsing to be let to soak for about 10 minutes in water with bleach in it, then air dried. Inquire and make sure that an adequate amount of bowls are available so that when rotating/washing, Fido or Fifi won't have to wait until the bowls are clean. If bringing your own bowls, make sure it is properly labeled and expect it to be cleaned with the same thoroughness, but that a water bowl is present and supplied besides yours at all times to ensure Fido/Fifi has water available while waiting for their personal bowls to be cleaned and dried.

5. What is the potty/walking schedule and WHERE will they be going? Make SURE a proper sized outside enclosure is available for your pet to stretch his or her legs, and to go potty. Also inquire if they will be watched or if they are left alone in the outside enclosure, as they should be monitored at all times. Also, make sure they have a good area to take out those dogs that need to be walked, and that leashes are provided. You can provide your own leash - make sure they are properly labeled. Be sure you let them know if your dog will be ok to be taken to an outside enclosure to go potty and run free a bit or if they will need to be walked on a leash. Dogs should be walked/taken out a MINIMUM of twice a day - and if yours has a set schedule be sure to inform the kennel so that they can accommodate as necessary.

NOTE: From personal experience I have learned that it is BEST to have two people working and available for cleaning/feeding/walking. At a former kennel I worked for before owning my own, dogs were led into an outside 12x10x6 covered kennel with a concrete floor - the location was great, it was safely enclosed and big enough to stretch out in, and cleaned up of poop and rinsed off of urine before the next dog was let to go potty. They would go out once in the morning, at noon, and early evening. It seemed perfect, and dogs were taken out and the time used for them to 'take care of business' was used to clean their kennels, feed, etc. as needed. I have learned the hard way this should be a two person job, and someone should always be watching while the other is cleaning. On the day the OWNER (my boss) of the kennel had kennel duty, she left a spray bottle with a cleaning agent hanging at the very top of the kennel to be used to spray and then quickly rinse off the floor between dogs. We all always did this, it just made things easier and didn't think anything about it since it was so high up. On that particular day, a very feisty and inquisitive Dalmatian knocked the spray bottle down while she was inside cleaning and chewed it open, ingesting a good bit of the disinfectant. She spent a good deal of the rest of the morning/afternoon at the vet with a VERY sick dog (he'd gone into seizures and foaming at the mouth and having trouble breathing...it was horrifying), and had to call the owners and notify them about what had happened.

6. What other services do they offer? If your pet takes medication, make sure that the kennel will take responsibility of making sure your pet gets their proper dosage at the proper time. All medications should be properly labeled and stored in a safe place. A good kennel will have individual shelves/cubbies that can be labeled to put each visiting dogs personal items and supplies in. Also, many kennels offer additional grooming or bathing services - inquire which are available, and you may be able to get your dog a bath or a good grooming before picking them up and taking them home.

7. What is their registration process? If they just tell you to bring them on in - DON'T! Any kennel worth their weight in salt will request and require a vaccination record from the owner's veterinarian. They would make sure all vaccinations are current and up to date, and require at minimum a rabies vaccination, the distemper/parvo vaccination and the kennel cough vaccination before letting any dog through their door. Puppies younger then 16 weeks without a rabies vaccination and a full series of puppy vaccinations should not be boarded. If a kennel will allow it, then a certification letter from a vet stating they have had an adequate amount of 'puppy' shots, that they are healthy as of the vet visit and then ONLY at the owner's discretion knowing that their could be risks should it then be allowed. A very thorough information and contact sheet should be filled out and updated with each stay and kept on file with all of the owner's and the owner's veterinarian's pertinent information, as well as any and all other information that is needed to know such as any allergies, type of food eaten, medications taken, unique schedule or any other special needs. An index card or kennel card should be filled out at the time of drop off or prepared before hand with the dog's name, owner's name and emergency contact number and any special needs written on it and placed on the kennel door at the time of drop off to insure that the proper dog, it's identity and it's needs are immediately known.

8. How much does it cost? This is probably the most touchy subject that owner's are worried about, but the one that has the least to do with their pets health and safety. Prices vary from kennel to kennel, with daily rates and weekly rates. Inquire as to what the rates are, if they differ for different size dogs, and what all is included. Be prepared - boarding in a kennel can be very expensive, but it is worth knowing your pet is healthy, happy and safe if all of the above things I have covered are in good order.