Pet Boarding Guidelines

There's no place like home.
This is also true for our pets. However, there may be times when you have to leave your dogs and cats in the care of another. These guidelines are geared more towards pet boarding facilities (kennel, pet hotel, etc.) but can also be modified for pet sitters (i.e. professional pet sitters).

Finding a Boarding Facility
There are “finders” websites where you can plug in your city to see a list of available boarding facilities and their ratings. We tried a couple of these sites but found them incomplete. Some of these sites are paid listings --- facilities pay a fee to be listed and marketed --- or businesses have to sign up to be listed. If you prefer online research, you may be better off with the review sites such as yelp.com.

By far, the best way to begin is to ask for referrals from friends and family who have previously boarded their pets. Ask your family veterinarian for recommendations or for a list of local facilities. The Family Vet does not routinely provide general boarding services, but we do keep a list of several boarding facilities that are frequented by our clients and patients. Due to laws and etiquette of referrals, we are unable to make a broad recommendation of one facility over another. We do pass on both positive and negative feedback that each facility may have received from our clients.

The Interview
Regardless of how you select the boarding facility, try to visit the place before the boarding appointment. Most places will give you a tour as long as you schedule it ahead of time.

Does the facility look and smell clean? Are the staff helpful and good with the pets present during your tour?

General considerations

1. What are the vaccine requirements? Boarding facilities are allowed to set their own requirements irrespective of veterinarian recommendation. Find out the specific required vaccines as well as the vaccine intervals, i.e. within 6 months, within 1 year, within 3 years. Contact your family veterinarian with the information to see if your pets’ vaccine status meets the requirement. Discuss any discrepancies and update if recommended. Note that if your pet is past due on vaccines, have them updated at least 2 weeks before boarding. Not only for an effective immune response but also because some pets may have reactions to the vaccines --- they may be mild reactions but still better dealt with at home then at a boarding facility.
2. Recent veterinary exam requirement? Some facilities require an exam within 6 months and/or a fecal test to check for parasites.
3. Can you bring your own pet’s food? Continuing with the pet’s normal diet while boarding may comfort pets and minimize risks of GI upset (diarrhea and vomiting). If you bring food, make sure it’s enough for the whole stay. Pre-package meal portions in bags or plastic containers if needed.
4. How often are pets fed? Knowing the facility routine helps you decide if you need to request special services. For example, one of your pets may gorge if fed too much at one time – not a good thing if the staff only feeds her once or even twice a day. You may have to request her to be fed 3 times a day. Also check to see if there’s an additional fee for such services.
5. Are there in-house treats? This is important to know if your pets have food allergies.
6. Can you bring toys and blankets? Some places prefer to use their own bedding or may have a limit on the number of toys or home items. Label these items if possible, i.e. permanent marker.
7. If your pets need medication, find out if the facility is staffed for treatment. Be specific. Some facilities may not have staff trained to apply eye or ear medication.
8. How are medical emergencies handled?
9. How are other emergencies handled, i.e. earthquakes, fires? You want a facility with a prepared safety & emergency protocol.
10. Flea control? Even if the facility does not require it, make sure your pets are current on flea control.
11. Pet identification is always important but especially so when they are away from home. If your pets do not have a microchip, and you rely on a collar and tag, check to see if the collar will be left on your pet at the boarding facility. Some facilities remove dog collars as a safety measure (getting caught in runs, choking). In those situations, most facilities will use a temporary paper ID collar, but it is still a good idea to check so you can have a back-up plan (microchip or break-away collar).

If you have cats,

1. Is the cat area quiet and away from barking dogs?
2. Are the cats boarded in cages (usually about 3’x3’x3’), larger cat condos (about 6’ tall), or small rooms? Boarding fees will vary with the accommodation. From our experience, not all cats prefer larger cages or rooms. Some nervous cats prefer a smaller area.
3. Are the cats exercised, i.e. let out in a room during the day? Again, some cats prefer to be left alone.
4. If your cat is picky when it comes to the litter box, find out how that is handled at the facility. Include in the information sheet details that may help the staff, i.e. prefers low jumbo litter pan due to arthritis. This information comes in handy when your cat still has not urinated in the small disposable litter tray or high litter box.
   

For dogs:

1. Are dogs ever kept together in the same cage or run?
2. How large are the cages or runs?
3. How often and for how long are they walked?
   
4. Any off-leash activities? Play groups?
   

Home Sweet Home
Upon picking up your pets from boarding, be sure to ask the staff for a status report --- a brief verbal report if there are no written discharge notes.

1. Were there any problems during the stay? Eating? Normal urination and bowel movement? Any vomiting? Do not be alarmed if your pets had soft stool or diarrhea the first few days of boarding as stress can lead to gastro-intestinal upset. However, it would be good to know if the stool has returned to normal at discharge time so you know what to expect.
   
2. Note any issues that may need to be followed up with your family veterinarian: lameness noted on walks, head-shaking, scratching, etc...
3. If your pets had medications, check to see when they were last given.
4. Pick up items that were brought in for the visit: medications, blankets, toys, food, etc...

Checklist:
[ ] Vaccine certificates
[ ] Food and treats, if needed
[ ] Medications and any extras needed to give them (Pill Pockets, syringes). Keep the medication in the original prescription vial so staff can easily identify it.
[ ] Blankets, beds, and toys if needed
[ ] Contact information, travel destination, hotel numbers, alternative contacts (friends and family) who can make decisions on your behalf in the event of an emergency.
[ ] Call to confirm boarding appointment (includes pick up times), especially during busy holiday seasons.

Leaving your pets in someone else’s care can be stressful for you and your companions. Planning ahead for your pet’s stay at the boarding facility will minimize the stress and ensure a safe stay for your pets --- and an almost worry-free trip for you.