Need a Boarding Kennel?

It should be a secure facility where you can be sure that your pet is well taken care of while you have to be away. He should be fed, exercised, and if necessary he should receive medical treatment in the case of an emergency.

As your best friend will likely be stressed if he is to be left in unfamiliar surroundings overnight, you owe it to him to check out the place you plan on leaving him BEFORE you go. So take a tour of several boarding facilities in your area.

	Cleanliness	Does the facility seem to be clean? Does it smell? Is there obvious dirt, or feces lying around? Can you see signs of infestation of fleas, ticks, worms, or flies? Is there a routine schedule for disinfecting the building with appropriate chemicals?
	Supervision/Staff	Are the dogs checked regularly during the day? Are the staff trained to recognize possible symptoms of injury, illness, or other distress?
	Exercise	How are the dogs exercised? Do they share space or have individual exercise areas? How often and for how long are the dogs exercised? How much space do they have in their runs? A dog should be able to break into a run in the available space.
	Vaccination Policy	Which vaccinations are required before the kennel will accept your dog? Most kennels require: rabies, distemper, parvovirus (DHLPP), and bordetella, as a minimum.
	Medical Services	Is your dog on medication? If so, be sure to ask if the kennel will accept a dog who is on medication. Is there an on-call veterinarian? What is the procedure and cost if your pet requires veterinary care?
	Food	Is food supplied by the kennel? If so, do you have a choice of brands? Can you bring your own food? Is there a cost reduction for providing your own food? Can the kennel deal with special dietary requirements?
	References	Do they have many repeat customers? Can they provide the names of people who have used their facility? Check with your own friends for referrals and don't forget your veterinarian! He/she should be able to provide a referral.

If you would like to find a boarding kennels in your area,
click on the appropriate State link below.