When boarding your canine or feline friend what do you look for in a boarding facility?

Question

What would you consider a reasonable rate for doggie day care?

Answer 1

I just recently chose a facility for day care for my dog. The top selling points were:
- security: everywhere the dogs would be (whether outside or inside) were properly fenced
- staff: willing to answer any questions, give tours, and let me know each day a summary of my dog's activities
- concern: before any boarding or full-day day care, the dog must only stay for a half day to make sure they are okay with being there
- behavior testing: while I suppose it wasn't "officially" behavior testing, they actually spent about 15 minutes observing my dog in the different situations she would find herself in while staying there with me still present

They charge $30 a day, but if you buy packages, the day rate lowers accordingly. This is pretty average in my area, as all the day cares I have found charge $28-$35 a day.

Answer 2

Prime point is to ask the dogs where they would be happy.

In life you get what you pay for. Dogs to most people are pets and pets equal the same status as a member in the family. When sending the kids away, what is the first requirement? Is my child happy, secure and the supervision of high educational standards.

Dogs too get bored if there is no activity. Pens and confined spaces may suit guard dogs, only because they could potentially appear to be a threat to themselves as well as to others.

Pets enjoy comforts and certain fringe benefits at home, company and homely atmospheres with kind and considerate animal loving individuals is of prime importance. Especially when the 'human' parents are not around. An animal which has been adopted and just homed from a shelter, should be 'kennelled' in their own home. Therefore one would need to find a home carer who is reliable and arrives with good references. This person in time becomes an extended member of the family also. Uncle or Auntie who takes care of furry child when the humans are away.

Everybody needs to be paid, because we all have to live. It is all about attitude. If an animal is stressed what will the caretaker do? Will they have the ability and skills to take the initiative to take pooch to the vet or perform a first Aid when necessary? Looking after animals requires as much care and thought as taking care of toddlers, teenagers and even adults. A dog that is on meds needs a carer who knows how to administer tablets, injections or other medical supplies to both dogs and/or cats.

Being an animal handler is different from closing the gates and securing a pin of a door, so the dog cannot escape. Taking on animals and in this case, dogs, requires skills, abilities and a heart that embraces the character and nature of the dog with all its flaws as well as its unique individual characteristics.

Does your dog like the handler, do they bond? These are some of the questions a good boarding facility must be able to handle and answer. These are the basics, next one looks at the ability to recognise a healthy dog from one that needs boosting a dosage of immune system strengthening care.

Is the dog anti-social or does it need some adjustment. Perhaps a lot of adjusting in a social environment.

Does the dog need a Jacuzzi or a Penthouse? Well, if the owner is loaded and can afford such luxuries. This however, I guess, would cost a penny or two above the standard charges. LOL

Answer 3

Well, I used to work in a boarding kennel that you couldn't pay me to keep my dog there. I only worked there like 4 or 5 weeks before Christmas before I said forget this.

At Thanksgiving, (and I'm sure every major holiday) they'd divide some of the runs with a piece of plywood half way up and put more dogs on that piece of plywood so they could cram in more dogs. Pooh and pee were running down the walls to the dogs below. I know I didn't get all the extras (walks and playtimes) done for dogs who were supposed to be getting them, but I'm sure they still charged the owner for them. They used every inch of the facility (even had cats in crates in the bathrooms) just to fit in more animals. The dogs were never (NEVER) ever walked, just called from the inside room to the outside room.

I then worked at a vet clinic, and while they didn't get a lot of bonuses where I worked at (k9 cots and add on services) the dogs were walked at least 3 times a day and if it was a slow day boarding and in the clinic, I'd bring smaller dogs into the treatment area during lunch and play with them (the vet and everyone else usually joined in). While the vet was busy at holidays with boarders, it was never obscenely crazy.

I also worked at a PetsMart that had a "PetsHotel". It's not half bad, you pay for your extras, but the dogs do get them. They do get 2 walks a day. They are very busy at the holidays and sometimes dogs will be in rolling vet style kennels instead of the rooms you see, but they work hard to keep it all clean and safe.

I personally, would only leave my animals at a local vet that I knew and trusted if I couldn't get a sitter.

Answer 4

The only one I would consider using near my home is a place where they have emergency vet services and they keep the animals in rooms like a hotel, not cages and runs. My dog and my cat can be in there together, not lumped in with the others of their breed that they don't even know. They are used to being together!
And included in the price is "play time" with one of the employees. A lot of places will take care of their basic needs but the animals don't get any personal attention.

Answer 5

Cleanliness of the facility, an on site (or at least on-call) vet, 24 hour staffing, individual runs for dogs, low odor in the facility. Staff that seems to care about the animals more then the $$. Also, I'd find out what type of health pre-certifications they require - you don't want to board a pet at a place that doesn't check that the animals are up to date on all vaccines - you should have to prove this to board your pet.

Answer 6

What you need to look for is a clean, and each dog is healthy, not sick ones and a vetenary kennel is what our dogs go to and they have 2 kennels assigned to each dog, 1 indoors and 1 outside and 1 huge feild that if thgat along with other dogs they can play and fetch.

Answer 7

I can tell the difference, too, moron...my animals are smarter than a certain human I could name...
Anyway, I look for something affordable to me but something that I can see the facilities so I know where they're being kept, a detailed rundown of what will be going on while they're there (what happens during the day, how often are the places cleaned, etc.), and friendly people who seem GENUINELY friendly, not just fake. Also, with my kitties, I plan to take them in to meet the staff first to see how they act around my kitties while I'm there, so I can get a better idea of what they might be like when I'm not.
Hope I helped :)
PS I'm trying PetsHotel through Petsmart this Christmas for my kitties...I work at PetSmart and get a discount is the main reason I'm trying them, but I've heard a lot of good things too. :)

Answer 8

Yes, what the others said. I wouldn't call first, I would pop in there so you can see how they really keep the place up and the animals! Good luck!

Answer 9

I'm honestly not a fan of boarding facilities. A lot of dogs & cats come home sick and traumatized. I would suggest looking into pet care that is provided in your home instead. Pets are always happier at home. Good luck!!

Answer 10

make sure it is clean and warm and the owners are friendly and caring about my pets.