Tips to Choose the Right Kennel

Now that summer is coming quickly, more and more people are starting to plan for their summer vacations. Many rush to different beaches where they can spend time lying in the sun and playing in the water. Others prefer to go to a remote cabin in the woods. Some people like to go to amusement parks, while others prefer to explore different cities and ways of life. 

No matter what your plans are, you will probably not be able to take your beloved pet with you. For this reason, you may be looking for the perfect kennel. Here are some tips to help you find one.

Do your research. Ask around to find out which kennels your friends have tried and liked. Don't be afraid to ask your veterinarian. Many veterinarians are told about kennel recommendations from their clients and they can pass them on!

Start early. Many of the good kennels fill up quickly, so you should be booking your kennel as soon as you book your vacation. In fact, you should be doing your research before you even do that!

Many people prefer to use kennels that have both an indoor and outdoor area. This allows your pet to get plenty of exercise, no matter how busy the kennel is. If your dog is in a kennel all day, and only gets a few short walks a day, he or she is going to be wound up when you get your dog back home. This may be fine for a few days, but a week or more might be overwhelming for your dog, especially if he or she is really active.

Will they let you visit the facility? When visiting, you are going to want to look around and see how clean the kennel is. Though there are going to be times when multiple cages are getting cleaned at once, the kennels should be in good condition, one that you wouldn't be afraid to take your dog.

What about your dog? Some kennels offer trial days, where you can board your dog at the kennel for a few hours, just to make sure that he or she is pretty comfortable with the place. That being said, if the kennel you want to use is too busy or full, you may not be able to try this.

With different diseases that can spread rapidly throughout a kennel, you should know what vaccinations are required. At the very least, you are going to want to make sure that all dogs entering the facility have a valid Rabies vaccine and one that fights against Kennel Cough. The distemper shot, for both dogs and cats, is also a good idea.

Don't hesitate to ask kennel owners about any certifications and licenses that they may have. Though all states are different, kennels may need to have different licenses to operate. Many kennels want to make sure that they have the right employees and may ask for them to have certifications in first aid, among other things. 

You may also want to know how many caretakers are on staff at any given moment with the amount of pets that are being bordered. If there is just one person to take care of forty dogs, he or she is going to have their hands full. That being said, you shouldn't expect kennels to be fully staffed all of the time.

You may want to consider meeting the caretakers before you take your dog to the kennel. Though many kennels hire high schoolers to help with the extra load in the summer, you are going to want to make sure that there are plenty of adults around so that your dog is safe with the kennel.

You should ask about what they will do in case of an emergency. You want to know if your kennel will take your pet to the veterinarian if something happens. Though they may have one that they work with closely, you may also want to find out if they are comfortable taking your pet to the veterinarian that he or she is used to.

You may also want to ask about their policies when it comes to dogs that are stressed and nervous in a new environment. What will your kennel do to make sure that your dog is more comfortable? Are they able to spend more time with pets that are pretty scared? Can they walk the dogs around for those who are too nervous to do much of anything? Will they make sure that your dog eats?

Choosing a boarding kennel can be overwhelming, but when you find the right one, you can leave your dogs to go on vacation without worrying about them. For this reason, you need to take your time and ask around. Then, ask the kennel questions until you feel confident. You may even want to tour the facility and see if your dog can stay there for a few hours to make sure that he or she will do fine when you are away.

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Previously published on Medium and/or Newsbreak.