Choosing a kennel for your dog

 

Planning a holiday is an exciting business – but when you feel unsure about where to house your dog while you’re away, it can leave you worried and fretful. 

While there are some boarding establishments which are of poor quality and certainly to be avoided, there are also excellent kennels out there where dogs can go and be kept safely and happily. However, you have to know what to look for. Although all boarding establishments must to be licensed by the local authority, there is a huge range in quality and ultimately it is down to you to choose which is good enough for your pet.

 

What to look for in a kennel

 

A safe, comfortable and secure building

There are several different aspects to consider when choosing a boarding establishment – the physical construction and quality of the buildings in which dogs are left may be the most obvious.To start off with, you want to be sure your pet will not escape. Have a look at the kennel or cattery – it should be well built, well maintained and well managed. Next, you want to be sure that your pet will be warm and comfortable. Again the state of the building is important so that rain does not leak in.  The weak link in any even perfect building is the human factor, so well-trained staff are a must.

 

Well trained staff

For many of us, our dogs are important members of the family and we want them to be looked after with the same care and consideration we give them.  This will be down to the people caring for the animals and the enthusiasm and dedication they give to the job. If you look at the very best boarding establishments you will recognise that the people involved love animals and each one is important to them. Good boarding proprietors will find out about your pet’s favourite food, whether it needs grooming and what its little foibles are – these are all important in helping it to fit in. They will try to feed your pet the same food as at home and let owners bring in familiar bedding or toys for the dog to help them feel secure. Most will give medication if it is required and a few of the best will even give treatment.

 

Careful monitoring of your dog

A good proprietor will monitor your pet carefully and any dog which is unwell will be taken to the vet. A good establishment will ask you details about your own vet as well as signing a consent form for them to be able to contact a vet and give treatment if it is necessary. Up to date vaccinations are vital for animals going into a boarding establishment because the presence of lots of animals means a higher risk of contacting the organisms that cause disease. A good kennel must ask to see the animal’s vaccination certificate to protect both your pet and the others staying there.

Walks and play every day

Dogs are a social species and relationships with other dogs and people are important. Dogs don’t like being locked in a kennel far away from their pack. The best kennels take their dogs for walks and play with them on a daily basis. They also provide entertainment in their kennels, such as food toys. Generally, mixing dogs can be a problem but that doesn’t mean they can’t interact with each other through a sturdy fence in an exercise area. Don’t forget, too, that noise and smell are big issues for dogs. High noise levels are very stressful and so is the over-use of disinfectant.

 

Where to find a kennel

To help you find a kennle, your vet may recommend somewhere. Always go and look around the kennels for yourself, ask questions so you feel comfortable with their knowledge and care. If the proprietor won’t let you see where the dogs are kept then go elsewhere – a good proprietor will have nothing to hide and will be proud to show you their business.