Choosing a boarding kennel or cattery
Animal Breeders & Pet Site
> Home
> Dog Breeders
> Cat Breeders
> Horse Breeders
> Register As A Breeder
> Messageboard
> Contact
> Pet Friendly Places To Stay
> Pet Friendly Places To Go
> Editorial Articles
>Stop your pulling in the lead
>Stop your dog jumping
>Choosing a boarding kennels
>Stop your dog chewing
> Pet Insurance

Hosted By
Site hosted by Commatic

The Animal Breeders web site is listed on links365, the UK web directory

 

Choosing a boarding kennel

If you are anything like us, you dislike having to put your dog(s) into boarding kennel accommodation when you go away on holiday or business.
Many of us dog owners cherish the companionship that our dogs give to us and miss them terribly when we are parted. But most of us cannot spend 52 weeks a year with our pets, so there will come a time when they need to be put into boarding kennels.

Any stay in boarding kennels is likely to be stressful for our dogs, so you will want to do all you can to make their stay as comfortable and stress free as possible.

Your dog will be a part of your "pack" and this time of separation from the pack may cause some distress.

If your dog is used to spending time alone and time in an outside kennel or run at your home, this may well be good preparation for their stay in dog kennels. But when they spend time in their kennel at home they will probably be out of site of other dogs. A stay in dog kennels will make it feel as though they have been surrounded by a strange pack group.

If you are new to an area, or you haven't used local dog kennels before, your search will probably start with the Yellow Pages or other local directory listings. If you are lucky, you will have a choice of local kennels, but don't be fooled by impressive looking adverts placed in the "boarding kennels" section of these directories. It is all too easy to hide the quality of the boarding kennels behind an eyecatching advert.

Phone a selection of kennels and ask if you can go along to have a look around. Be wary of those that say this is not possible. What do they have to hide? Also be wary of those that tell you that you can have a look around, but only at a certain section of the boarding kennels. Again, what do they have to hide?

When you do visit the kennels, you will have a list of features that you deem desireable, things such as

> Are the kennels heated (important if your dog is scheduled for a winter stay)?
> Does the boarding kennels allow you to take your dog bed and toys? This may help your dog to feel a little more at home during their stay.
> Would your dog have to share with another dog? Unusual, but worth checking
> Would your dog have an attached run to exercise in?
> What level of exercise and human contact will the dogs receive outside their kennel? Important if your dog is a working dog such as a Border Collie that is used to high levels of exercise.
> What feeding regime does the kennel use? If you feed your dog twice a day, but the kennels only feed once a day will this be a problem for your dog?
> Does the boarding kennels offer a collect and return service?
> Does the kennels have experience of your breed's needs?
> What action do the kennels take in the event of a mishap or illness suffered by your dog?
> If your dog is on medication, will the kennels be able to continue the programme of treatment?
> Does the boarding kennels only take vaccinated dogs? A responsible establishment will only take dogs with a certified vaccination certificate (including "kennel cough"). Be wary if the boarding kennel staff don't even request to see your dog's vaccination details. We have experienced this and immediately worry what diseases and illnesses other dogs may have brought into the boarding kennels.

It may be worth asking your vet if they can suggest a boarding kennels to use. However, many vets may not feel it is appropriate to endorse any particular boarding kennels.

Above all, take your time when considering which kennels you feel will most suit your dog. Make sure your dog enjoys their stay away from home as much as you do.

View our other "editorial" articles on other pet related subjects