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 (and even luxury
pet-friendly hotels 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.
Tips on choosing 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.
Most kennels will encourage
you to bring along favorite pet toys and blankets to make them feel right at home.
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 authoritative
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 ...
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.
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.