Choosing the Right Dog Boarding Facility for Your Dog
Dog boarding centres are not just for the holidays/weekend getaways or business trips only. They come in very handy when say, you are going into labor soon and will be at the hospital for quite a while.
It is no wonder that dog boarding establishments are now a phenomenon with plenty of choices available. The question is – how do you know which is the right one for your dog?
The first place to start is to ask your veterinarian or other trusted animal care professional for a recommendation. With many utilising dog boarding facilities nowadays, you may want to ask your friends and family too to see if they have a good recommendation.
Once you have narrowed down your search, the first thing you should do is to make an appointment to tour the kennel facilities in person. Just word by mouth or reading reviews online are not enough – you should go in and see with your own eyes how the facility is, and how the people there are. Don’t underestimate this process, you will be surprised at just how many things you can find out just by interacting with the staffs and/or owner in person.
While you are there, the first thing you should note is whether or not the facility look and smell clean. Is there sufficient ventilation and light? You would not want to have your beloved pup stuffed in a dim and dingy place, would you? One thing you should pay attention to is the temperature indoor. Is it comfortably maintained so that there won’t be a sharp distinction when your dog comes in from the outdoors?
Next is to look at the dogs’ sleeping area. How many are they keeping in one space? Is it too crammed? Are they going to be in cages or opened space? Is bedding or resting boards provided or your dog is expected to rest on the concrete?
Now this may not be something many may look out for, but we think it will give you an extra edge in finding the right boarding facility if you are to enquire about these:
- Are pets required to be up-to-date with their vaccinations including Bordetella?
- How often are pets fed? Can you supply your own food?
- Does each dog have its own indoor-outdoor run or is there a schedule for exercise?
- For outdoor runs, will dogs be protected from the elements? If it is an indoor-outdoor run, will it be adequately sized?
- Any grooming or training services? Likewise, is there in-house veterinary and do they dispense medication?
Lastly, speak to the staffs. Are they knowledgeable and caring? You can quickly tell if they are genuine pet lovers or are just there because they need to pay the bills. If it is the former, you can’t go too wrong by choosing the establishment. One such example is Mr Woofles, a dog boarding Richmond – both staffs and owner are genuine and enthusiastic pet lovers. Thanks to the love and dedication showered to their dogs, they have earned themselves a high reputation in the community and within the industry itself.
