MAIN Pets Pet Boarding

Perhaps you've been called out of town on a family emergency, or are planning a fun family summer getaway.

The last thing they want to do is worry about Kitty or Rover and how they're are being fed and cared for while your away.

Fulfilling this need are a growing number of pet boarding kennels, luxury hotels and camps that can cater to your pet's every need — including organized play groups, daily exercise, healthy meals, and sometimes complete onsite veterinary services.

Pet boarding is not right for all pets, especially dogs or cats who are too young, too old, or who are otherwise overly-protected and might find a strange environment too traumatic. In this case, the best option is to find a friend or relative to care for your pet, or by inviting a pet sitter into your home, where your pet can feel at ease amid friendly surroundings and eat familiar foods & treats.

How to Choose a Boarding Kennel

If you've decided that a boarding kennel is your best option, the experts often advise phoning ahead to see if a local kennel has room for your pet, followed-up by a personal visit where you can inspect the facilities first-hand and see where your pet will be staying.

In general it should appear and smell clean, have indoor or outdoor exercise runs for dogs and quiet areas for Kitty to take catnaps.

Like hotels for people, kennels should have comfortable & roomy bedding, good lighting & ventilation, required safety and fire fighting equipment, and secure locks on pens and outside gates (especially if your pet is an expert "escape artist".)

Ample supplies of clean drinking water should be available for your pet, along with regular meals throughout the day. Be sure to ask about feeding procedures, which vary from kennel to kennel, with some stocking the popular brand name pet foods, and others allowing owners to provide their own pet's favorite meals and treats.

Searching Online

Around the Web, find out more about the topic at informative and authoratative sites offering information on how & where to find boarding services in your area, typical services & costs, and more expert advice on choosing the best kennel, boarding service or luxury pet hotels for your beloved family pet ...

American Boarding Kennels Association - The organization providing education & accreditation to nationwide U.S. boarding kennels, tips & advice for consumers on choosing a kennel with the Pet Owner's Bill of Rights, and featuring a searchable database of member kennels in all fifty states.

Boarding Kennels.org - Preferred listings in a searchable directory of top boarding services & luxury pet hotels in the U.S., U.K., Canada, Australia & New Zealand featuring profiles and virtual tours, extensive guide to choosing a kennel, and advice on typical fees.

Find Pet Care.com - Searchable directory of cat & dog kennels, dog day care facilities and pet hotels across the U.S. with details on rates, online booking, boarding & daycare tips.

Dog Kennel and Dog Boarding Directory - Search the U.S. kennels by state with related dog chat rooms and message boards, from BreederWeb.com.

BestFriendsPetCare.com - Use the clickable map to search for locations across the U.S. with details on boarding, grooming & training services, related FAQ, library of free informational articles, newsletter.

also see -> Dog Day Care | Pet Sitting

Traveling with Pets | Dog Health Insurance