My family does not love dogs so I had to kennel my 2 over the holiday. It wasn’t a pleasant experience as I’d never left them anywhere, but I am sure if I had more time to prepare, it would have been more tolerable for both me and the doggies.
Here are some things to consider before you leave your precious friend in a kennel:
How clean does the kennel look and smell? An unclean kennel is a fast way for disease to spread.
How much exercise and human interacting will your pet receive?
How are sudden illnesses addressed?
Find out if you are allowed to bring your own food and toys from home.
Look at the cages. Is the size adequate?
Always check out the kennel before you make an appointment. You should go there unannounced just to see how things are run. If the staff is not welcoming, that should be a sign for you to steer clear. Look at the kennel area; are the dog’s food and water bowls full? Does the kennel area look clean and comfortable?
Ask the staff how much playtime each dog gets. Do all the dogs get walked at the same time or is it on a one on one basis? What about food? Are you allowed to bring your own food? Since my doggies are picky eaters, bringing food from home is a must. Some kennels charge extra if you bring food from home- which seems kind of ironic.
Also consider bedding. Is bedding provided, can you bring your own, or both? I think it’s beneficial to have bedding from home so that your pet has that familiar scent around them. You should at least bring one blanket and one toy from home.
Before you consider boarding your dog make sure he or she is up to date on their vaccinations. Most kennels require Rabies, Distemper, and Bordetella (Kennel Cough). The Bordetella vaccine is not given with the routine vaccinations so you have to request it.