How to Choose the Dog Boarding Facility
When dog owners plan a vacation, they’re forced with the difficult decision on where to board their canine. It’s not uncommon for dog owners to feel a sense of guilt when leaving their dog behind. If you know how to choose the right facility, you will feel more at ease.
- Difficulty:
- Moderate
Instructions
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1
Call several facilities and conduct a quick interview on the phone. Ask about fees and procedures for boarding your dog. This should give you a general impression of the facility.
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2
Make a surprise visit. While many facilities require an appointment, you may want to consider a pop in visit. This will give you an idea of what the facility looks like when they aren’t expecting guests.
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3
Check the cleanliness of the boarding facility. Check if floors, food dishes and bedding appear clean. Ask staff what the process is used for cleaning the facility. Make sure they use a disinfectant that kills germs and bacteria. Using this type of solution kills potential health risks such as canine influenza and kennel cough.
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4
Ask for references. Ask each boarding facility for a couple of references. Call previous clients and ask what they liked and didn’t like about the facility.
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5
Make sure all guests are required to be vaccinated. Since being exposed to many dogs increases risk of infection, ask each facility for their policy on proof of vaccinations. It’s not enough to sign something saying your dog is up to date on vaccines. Make sure the boarding facility requires hard copy documentation from each dog’s veterinarian. This will protect your dog’s health.
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6
Choose a facility. After interviewing a few boarding facilities, you should be ready to make a decision. Choose the place in which you think your dog will be most comfortable. And if none of the interviewed facilities seem acceptable, don’t settle. Start over with your search to find a new list of candidates.
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1
Tips & Warnings
Consider bringing your own food. Diet changes can cause a reaction in some dogs.
Leave emergency information with the boarding facility. If they don’t ask for it, leave a list of emergency numbers. This should include your contact information, an alternate contact person and your vet.
