How to Select a Pet Boarding Facility

Sanitation:

To keep your pet healthy, their boarding facility should be clean and sanitary, and it should be designed and operated to prevent the introduction or spread of disease. When checking into this aspect of care, look for the following:

  • Each pet is kept separate from other animals by solid barriers. These barriers should prevent the spread of disease by contact with another pet's bodily wastes, which can also spread disease.
  • All pets are required to have proof of up-to-date vaccinations, including the bordatella vaccine to prevent canine cough.
  • Only healthy pets are accepted for boarding, sick animals are kept at veterinarians.
  • The ventilation system is designed and maintained to prevent the spread of disease.
  • Upon arrival, all pets are checked for fleas.
  • The facility smells and looks clean, and is sanitized daily with a hospital-grade disinfectant.

Health and Welfare:

No need to add any unnecessary stress to your pet's life, so make sure that the boarding facility is comfortable, and that their visit there will be a pleasant one. To determine that they'll be happy and healthy when they come home, look for the following:

  • The facility only uses high-quality food, and will accommodate any special diets or medications pets may require.
  • Every pet's consumption, medication, and elimination are monitored closely and are charted daily.
  • In a medical emergency, the facility will take your pet to your veterinarian for proper care and attention.
  • Pets are comfortable all year round - cool in summer and warm in winter.
  • Natural light, fresh air and acoustic treatment are designed into the facility to reduce stress and to create a relaxing environment.
  • Fresh water is available at all times.
  • Pets can have their favorite toys from home, and can even stay in the same suite with another pet from the same family.

Social and Recreational:

To be healthy and fit, pets need activity, socialization, exercise, and just plain loving attention. They need plenty of room to move around, and a readily available area to play in. So these are important things to check into:

  • Large individual exercise runs are attached to sleeping areas.
  • Exercise runs are available to cats as well as dogs.
  • Pet can receive extra attention and playtime, if requested.
  • Boarders look happy and healthy.
  • Staff members know pets by name, and show genuine concern for each pet.

Facility Management:

Pets are your full-time friends and you're their full-time master, so don't trust their care to anyone but a full-time professional boarding facility which will take their care seriously and see them as their most important concern. Be sure that:

  • The facility is operated by trained boarding professional with industry accreditation.
  • The facility has nothing to hide and is open to visits, tours, and inspections during regular business hours. (No excuses like "it'll disturb the pets" or "we're cleaning.")
  • Visitors can see where pets are boarded from the reception area.