Selecting the Right Boarding Facility For Your Dog

If you have ever walked past a pet boarding facility early in the morning, you have surely heard the sounds of many dogs barking. This is a good thing since it would indicate that people have faith in leaving their dogs at the kennel. For those who may not be familiar with what a dog kennel is, it is a boarding facility where a dog can be cared for while the owner temporarily may be unable to do so. Of course, it is always critical that the owner places his/her dog with a reliable and safe kennel.

Caring for Your Dog

Dogs are far more than mere pets. For many, dogs are part of the family. As such, a great deal of nervousness may come over a dog owner when vacation time comes. There will be a need to place the dog in a dog boarding facility and hope the dog remains in good hands. Many questions will run through the head of a person that leaves their dog in a boarding facility. While the dog be properly fed? Will it be supplied with proper dog clothes? So, in order to ensure that a particular dog boarding facility is right for your pooch, here is a brief checklist of attributes to look for:

Common Criteria to Follow When Selecting a Boarding facility

Seek a boarding facility that has been in business for a while. Yes, many start up boarding facilities can effectively care for a pet. However, they do not have a clear track record in the marketplace. A boarding facility that has been in business for many years is, in essence, a safe bet. After all, improperly operated boarding facilities won't stay in business very long.

Since dogs come in all shapes and sizes, it is critical that the boarding facility also provides various sized cages. Owners need to be sure that their dogs will be placed in boarding facilities that are adequately sized for the dog. If not, the stay will prove very uncomfortable for the dog and inflict a great deal of anxiety on the animal.

If your dog requires a specialized diet, find out if the boarding facility can accommodate in this regard. This is doubly important for older or sick pets that must have their dietary requirements met.

While kennels are not pet hospitals (although some hospitals do offer kennel services), it is important to ascertain whether or not 24 hour access to a veterinarian is offered. Emergencies can and do occur. As such, it is important to make sure your dog will be properly cared for in such a scenario.

Make sure the kennel also offers a regular walking and exercise program. It would not be a good thing if your dog was cooped up in a kennel cage for several days. That is why it would be helpful that the dog is walked and exercised at some point during its stay. Also, be sure to find out whether or not proper dog clothes will be provided in the case of inclement weather.

Seeking references prior to placing you dog in a kennel never hurts. Reliable kennels should be able to present references for a potential customer's perusal. Often, performing such due diligence can reduce a great deal of worry about selecting a particular kennel.

Of course, there are many more criteria you can apply to the selection process. Since you want to ensure your loving dog remains safe and secure, you should never limit your criteria.