Boarding your Pet – Dos and Don’ts.

By Toni Stone

We all have a tough time when it comes to leaving our favorite furry four-legged friends. Trying to find the right boarding facility that makes you feel comfortable is always a struggle. There are some things you can do to help both you AND your pet have a successful, fun and stress-free stay. Here are some easy tips to follow when boarding your pet:

First, you want to make sure you have taken a tour of the facility. Always be wary of staff that requires you to make an appointment to see the facility. This means that they are going to most likely “prepare” for your visit and have everything…as it should be. Most confident facilities will tell you the best times to come tour, and when you get to the actual facility, should be able to show you around within a few minutes.

Your next step should be to ask what they need you as the owner to do before your pet is allowed to stay. The law requires that kennel facilities insist on the basic vaccines done in the right timeframe. These vaccines are include, but are not limited to, DHLPP-C, Bordetella, and Rabies. A reputable facility will not take your word on the vaccines but instead will require you to show proof via a vet receipt or verbal confirmation over the phone from your regular veterinarian. It is also becoming very common in the San Diego area to require a negative fecal within the last six months. This is due to the overwhelming signs of Giardia and other internal parasites in the area. If the facility you chose is asking you to provide this, it is further proof they want a clean and safe environment. Once you have gotten through the “red tape” of vaccines and health information, it would be standard for most facilities to want an emergency contact for you while you are away as well information on any special needs your pet might have while you are away. This again is just showing you that your baby will be well taken care of.

Once your pet’s stay is planned, focus on making their stay as comfortable as possible. It is normal for a dog or cat to be nervous in a new facility. Our canine and feline friends are creatures of habit and don’t like their routines altered – much like ourselves!! So to make life a little easier on them, it is best if you supply their own normal food so there is no stressful diet change, as well as something from home such as a blanket or toy to make them more comfortable. Once your pet has been to the facility a couple of times, the blanket and toy shouldn’t be needed as they will be comfortable with their “second” family and will enjoy the toys and beds the facility offers. To ease your mind, sometimes you will be able to check in with a webcam and visit with your pet. This is new in the boarding industry and seems to put owners at ease when they are away. Check to see if this is an option at the boarding facility you use. You should also call in when you can to check on your pet. Any available manager or staff should be able to give you a detailed update on your pet and how their stay has been going. This too can add a little peace of mind.

Try to avoid this situation: The biggest mistake I have seen in the years I have been in this industry is the client who has an emergency trip they can’t get out of or a pet sitter that fell through, forcing them to board their pet unexpectedly. There is nothing a boarding facility fears more than the eight-year-old pet that has never been away from home. As a dog trainer, we advise that all clients board their dogs away from home at least once when the pet is young. This establishes with your furry friend that being away from home is not life-changing and can in fact be a lot of fun. When you wait until it’s an emergency and your pet is older, you are setting yourself up for a lot of worry and a lot of undue stress for your pet. This is what can cause a pet to lose its appetite and to not have a fun-filled stay. Remember back to sixth grade camp? It was scary, and you were nervous. However, once you got there you had a great time and learned at a young age that going away on a trip without mom and dad could in fact be fun.

Boarding your pet should be fun. You should have a great relationship with the “second” family your pet will be a part of. Facilities don’t have to be a place you refuse to send your pet. It should be…well….like home…only better.

If you have a question about boarding your pet please submit it via email to Toni@www.snugpetresort.com.