Choosing a Boarding Kennel

By: Responsible Group Australia Posted November 3, 2023

Most pet owners get excited when leaving for a holiday, but, at the same time, dread leaving their beloved pets behind. Vacations are always different for pet owners. They must worry about everything and prepare well to care for their pets.

For responsible pet owners, the safety and comfort of their dogs come first, even before they think about the sandy beaches and skies or planning their camping trip.

Leaving your pet behind can be nerve-wracking, but before you consider cancelling your holiday plans, you must know that many boarding kennels are out there. Many of these are tried and tested, so you don’t have to worry about your babies when leaving them behind.

If you are worried about deciding which place is the best, we have a brief guide on how you can easily select the perfect boarding kennel for your dog.

Research the Location

First things first, you must consider the location of the kennel. Go to Google and look for kennels near you. Most pet experts recommend that it is better to leave your pet with someone they are familiar with. These include veterinarians, groomers, trainers, or maybe even a friend.

You must look for reviews once you have the possible facilities to board your dog. These reviews are readily available on public platforms such as Google or the boarder’s Facebook pages.

If you find a specific rating for their service, match it with other things mentioned on their page or website. Look for services they offer and compare them with what others are recommending. Services can include a bernedoodle haircut, food, beds, toys, etc.

Keep the Peak Season in Mind

Planning is always better if you plan to leave for holidays in peak season. Many other dog owners like you and most nice boarding kennels get their spots filled quickly. Therefore, it is always advisable to book in advance, preferably months in advance.

Check for Certifications and Qualifications

Many states have kennel requirements, including their services and the place’s qualifications. When paying a visit to the kennel, make sure that you check their qualification and certification. You must also ensure that the person running the site is adequately trained. Such checks and balances will help you decide about a place.

Schedule a Visit to the Kennel

You can never trust anyone with your dog, and boarding kennels are no exception. Visit the kennel to ensure that what you do online matches the physical aspect. When visiting, you need to keep your eyes on many things. It involves the room’s cleanliness and other human and non-human kennel residents.

When visiting, you can also look for the staff working. You have hit the jackpot if they are friendly and helpful with the other dogs. You can also bring your paw friend along with you to the tour. They can investigate in depth along with you. It also helps them to get to know their surroundings, and they won’t feel as stressed when you drop them off.

Book a Trial Stay

Booking a trial stay is especially important for those owners who are planning vacations for a longer duration of time. You can board your dogs for the weekend before actually going on holiday. It will help your dog to prepare for what is about to come.

A trial stay will also help your dog get comfy in the boarding kennel, and they might not miss you as much when you leave. It will also give them a chance to bond with the attendants at the boarding kennel, so they’ll be more comfortable during their stay.

Checklist to Make the Final Decision

Boarding your pup for the holidays is a significant decision. You can never have the guts to leave your dog with someone new and unknown. When leaving your dog with someone, there is so much that we must consider.

Safety and comfort are the two primary factors. You must feel overwhelmed when thinking about leaving your pet behind. Therefore, we have prepared a checklist for you to use when making a decision about where to leave your pooch.

First Contact with the Boarding Kennel

Are they friendly, and are they interested in the dog?
A professional would want to know about the dog’s breed, age, and temperament.
Ask them if you can take a tour of their facility.
Ask them for reviews or testimonials. Ensure that you crosscheck those from the internet.

When Visiting the Kennel

Everything looks great on the internet, which is why you must pay a visit to the kennel. It will also help you see the facility’s day-to-day interactions and pets. Here are a few things to remember when visiting the boarding kennel.

Look at the staff and how they treat other animals at the facility. Are they knowledgeable and gentle with their charges?
Do they have separate food for dogs or cats with dietary restrictions?
Inspect the area and look for safety within the vicinity. Pay attention to the arrangements. Do they need repairing? Are the rest of the pets in the area vaccinated, and is someone looking after the pets around the clock?
Look for places where the dogs will sleep. Is the site so crowded with dogs that your puppy will need more attention from the caretakers?

Ask Questions

Asking questions is essential. After all, you are leaving the care of your best friend in their hands. Ask them anything related to your dog or the facility and see how they respond. Here is a list of questions that you can ask.

How is your boarding kennel different from the rest?
Will you contact me if anything happens to my dog?
What services will be offered to make my dog comfortable during their stay?

Conclusion

Quality of care matters when you plan to leave your dog in the hands of others. Make sure that your dog gets proper food, walks, and baths. A thirsty dog can quickly become dehydrated. Ask about the mode of payment and when to make the payment. Also, inquire about their cancellation policy.

If you want to test the facility, you can leave them at the selected boarding house for the weekend. You can also leave them for day care to see how it goes. When you drop off your dog at the kennel, don’t forget to take their health card, favourite toys, and food so they don’t get homesick. Keeping the goodbyes short always helps.

Join Our Community

We are Australia’s largest community for all breeds. 29% of Australians have been judged by their pet’s colour, look, heritage, or breed. RPBA is an all inclusive community and we do not discriminate.