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To board or not to board – that it the question.

As a kennels owner, I wonder just how many times I have spoken to loving owners who, for one reason or another have been let down by the people who had been caring for their pet. And how many times have I discovered that those same loving owners hadn’t thought to check the kennels over before putting their pet in the care of a stranger. All too often, I have been saddened by tales from owners who have returned from holiday to find that the neighbour who had kindly offered to care for the cat had let it escape, never to be seen again. “We didn’t like the thought of putting him in kennels,” they explain.

So what exactly is a boarding kennel?

Boarding kennels are businesses designed and operated specifically to care for pets.

Many boarding kennels also provide a variety of pet services such as boarding, grooming, training classes and pet supply sales. Although the vast majority of boarded pets are dogs and cats, many kennels also offer boarding for horses, birds, reptiles and exotic pets.

A characteristic common to most boarding kennel operators is a deep love and respect for animals. But profits can be increased by cutting standards. These can include, for example, feeding cheap food, employing student labour and overcrowding animals during peak periods.

As an owner, can you tell how well your pet will be looked after? It calls for a bit of detective work on your part. Ask the right questions, keep your eyes open and the clues will be there. Here’s how to help you spot them.

Finding a local kennels

There are several ways of locating kennels that are convenient to you:

1. Yellow Pages:  The popular method of kennel advertising. Remember
though, this really is one case where ‘size doesn’t matter’. Bigger just costs more!

2. Recommendations of friends: Satisfied customers are the best recommendation that a kennel can
receive. Ask your pet-owning friends and neighbours about their experiences.

3.Recommendations of vets. Check with your vet or ask the kennel in question for references. Some vets are reluctant to recommend a kennels as many of them are equally good customers. Just as many fear the consequences of giving a bad reference, but it has been my experience that veterinary staff are often prepared to pass on impressions they have gained by talking to their customers.

Take a look around – spotting the clues!

Firstly, telephone the kennel to see if they can accommodate your pet. During peak times such
as the Christmas season and summer holidays, many kennels are fully booked. Also, because some pets require special handling or accommodation (very young puppies, for example), not all kennels will accept them. While you are on the phone, ask about going for a look around. If the kennels doesn’t allow inspections don’t book.

Make a personal visit to the kennel: If you have to make an appointment ask yourself why? It could simply be that the kennels are very busy at certain times of the day, which makes it hard to show customers around. It might mean that an unexpected visit would expose something they don’t want you to see. Whatever the arrangement, a personal visit is essential to determine whether the kennel will be satisfactory.

First impressions are…

Following regular daily clean-up procedures, the kennel should look (and smell) neat and clean. As you approach the kennels, sniff the air. If a stench hits you from a mile away there is little point in going further.

Kennel operators should be proud of their kennels and want to show them off, but some of them do not permit visitors in areas where animals are housed. There are two key reasons for establishing a "Staff only" policy. First, some dogs react unpredictably to strangers. (They become excessively fearful or aggressive.) As a result, the presence of strangers in the kennel can cause such dogs to injure themselves or develop intestinal problems. Second, visitors do not follow the same stringent disinfection procedures used by kennel staff, and can transport contagious agents (bacteria, viruses) into the kennel. However, kennels with a "No Visitors" policy should provide you some type of viewing window, so that you can see where your pet will be staying. If they don’t – don’t book!

Look to see if the bed areas and runs are clean. Be reasonable, if one or two dogs have made a small mess that is quite normal, but if every kennel contains fresh urine and faeces it is a good indication that care is lacking. Outside exercise paddocks may look to be a great place for your pet to spend the day but take a look at how many dogs are boarded and ask yourself if they are all going to have a turn. Ask yourself, and the owner, if the communal exercise run is disinfected between animals. If it’s not, then the risk of disease transfer is greatly increased. My experience is that communal runs are a risk. Best avoid them.

Have a look at the boarding pets. Do they look content?

Security.

When you are on a trip, your pet may decide to try to "find" you. Because of this tendency, and
because very few homes are designed with pet security in mind, pets can escape from inexperienced
volunteers who might be asked to look in on them. Boarding kennels, on the other hand, should be designed to prevent this kind of accident. Ask yourself, could my pet escape from here? If the answer is yes, don’t book.

One important note. Beware the pet shop advert where ‘animal lover offers to look after your pet in their own home’. The chances are that a private home will not have the safety and security features that you will want to see.

Supervision

Proper care is the key to good boarding. Pets should be checked frequently during the day by
someone who is trained to recognise the signs of illness and distress. Did you know, for example, that it is a requirement for all kennels to have a responsible person on the premises 24 hrs a day? If you call for a look around and there is no-one at home, try elsewhere. Ask how many staff are on duty? If all you see is student help, ask yourself how competent they might be?

Kennel personnel are trained to recognize and evaluate signs of illness and to seek veterinary
assistance when needed. Therefore, you should try to evaluate the competence of the staff. Licensed kennels will display a certificate that attests to the fact that the kennel has been inspected and accredited by the local authority. Look also for the kennel insurance certificate. If the kennels isn’t licensed and insured, avoid it like the plague!

Health care

Water: Individual containers filled with clean drinking water must be available to each animal.

Food: Feeding procedures vary from kennel to kennel. Some kennels supply preferred brands of
feed, which they serve to all boarders. It’s cheap and easy for the staff, but not necessarily good for your pet. However, they should allow you to bring your pet’s favorite food, if you wish. Better kennels maintain a stock of the most popular brands, and feed whatever you request. Choose one of these.

Veterinary services: Ask about obtaining veterinary service, if needed. All kennels have a vet on 24 hr call. A responsible kennel owner will want to know details of your vet so that there will be a continuity of care.

Vaccination: Ask if the kennels will take your pet unvaccinated. It’s a trick question but something you must know. If a kennels is prepared to take the risk of accepting unvaccinated pets then don’t risk your pet in their care! Nowadays, many kennels also ask for dogs to have had the ‘kennel cough’ vaccine as well. It shows that they are responsible but don’t be overly concerned if this vaccine isn’t required. It isn’t 100% effective so many kennels choose to recommend it rather than make it compulsory.

Medication policies and procedures: If your pet is taking medication, advise the kennel operator of
the nature of the problem and the type and frequency of medication. Many kennels will not accept
animals requiring excessive or potentially dangerous medication (diabetes jabs, for example). Ask if there is an additional charge for medicating.

Creature comforts

Warmth: The kennel should be able to maintain temperatures within comfortable limits for your pets. If you have an older pet, or a pet that requires warmer or cooler accommodation than is normally provided, ask if special arrangements can be made.
Protection from the elements: Exercise areas should provide shelter from wind, rain, snow and
direct sunlight. If the exercise areas are exposed, so is your pet.

Light: Dark and dingy or bright and airy?

Noise: It is quite normal for dogs to bark when strangers approach but if your dog is sensitive, you should ensure that he will stay somewhere away from noisy guests. If the kennels are all in one large building that allows noise throughout you may want to look elsewhere. And think of your cat, is the cattery well away from the dog kennels, somewhere quiet?

Bedding: Find out what arrangements are made for pet bedding. Some kennels provide, others require that you bring bedding from home. Check if there are any restrictions on owner-provided bedding (wicker beds and feather pillows, for example, may not be accepted!).

Sleeping Quarters: As you know from observing your pet, most of his time is spent resting or
sleeping. Your kennel should provide a place for this purpose . It should be clean and dry, and roomy enough for your pet to stand up comfortably, turn around easily, and stretch out.

Exercise Area: All animals require exercise, but the requirements for dogs and cats are different. Ask what the kennel arrangements are. Beware the kennels that claims to walk every dog three times a day and only has two staff on duty. Multiply the number of dogs by the number of walks claimed and you will soon see if there are not enough hours in the day to fulfil the claim. So, if the claim about walks is untrue, what else is? For a higher fee, some kennels offer ‘luxury’ or ‘five star’ treatment that involves cuddles and walks. To my mind this degree of care is basic and should be included in the basic charge. Ask how will they treat your pet if you don’t pay the extra?

Additional services: Many pet owners find it convenient to arrange grooming, bathing or training
for their pets while they are in the kennel for boarding. Ask if such services are available. If the kennels doesn’t have the facility to bathe or brush your dog, how do they manage if it gets dirty?

Lasting impressions…

As a customer, you are entitled to be treated in a friendly, business-like manner. After talking to the owner and staff, ask yourself the most important question. Am I happy to leave my pet in the care of this person? Are they professional? Knowledgeable? Friendly? Do they have pets of their own? Is boarding an extension of their interest in animals or simply a business?

And lastly…

Try them out for a short stay. That weekend away that you’ve been promising yourself for months. If the short stay goes well, it bodes well for an extended holiday.

And don’t leave it until the last minute to book a stay for your pet during peak periods. The earlier you start to look, the better choice you will have.