Choosing the Right Boarding Facility for Your Pet (Part 2 of 2)

If you have read "Part One" of this article then you should already have a list of some needs your pet may have. I'll go over some other, possibly more important needs in this section.

You have already taken some pretty big steps in choosing a boarding facility that will be beneficial to your pet. The goal here is to make sure he is happy. After all you don't want him to come home after your trip and spend the next week being mad at you, do you?

Before you start calling around to local kennels, let's add a few more things to your growing list of pet needs. That way you'll have all the information you need to immediately eliminate some choices.

Does he have a medical condition that may need immediate attention? If he has seizures, is the kennel prepared to deal with it. Does the staff know how to handle it? If your pet has recently had a medical procedure done (i.e. Spaying, neutering, or other surgery) does the staff check the stitches for any problems that may arise? Is there a veterinarian available 24 hours a day? If not, what is the protocol in case of a medical emergency?

Does she routinely need medication? Not all kennels are willing to administer medications to your cat or dog. If they do, make sure they give your pets type of medication. Is it a pill, eye drops, spray, or ointment? If your pet is a diabetic, be sure her insulin injections won't be a problem. Does the staff record who is giving medication and when they are giving it? Even something like occasional saline eye drops can have a huge impact on the comfort and health of your pet if it is not being administered properly. There may be a fee for giving medications so be sure to ask about it.

If you have a dog, figure out how many times he needs to go outside for a potty break. You'll want to know this when you call around. You can find out what the standard allowance is and if extra potty breaks are available.