Isn’t it great! You have a healthy pet that loves you and enjoys hanging around your home. What happens when you have to leave town for a few days? In the absense of kind friends who can board your pet while you are away, you have to come up with a good pet boarding facility to keep them while you are away.
Deciding which boarding facility to go with is not a snap decision. You should not make this call based solely on what is closest to home. Perhaps you have some friends who know of a place that is good. In any event, we’ll go over some things you need to look for. Remember, your pet will be in an unfamiliar environment and attention to their needs will be crucial.
Before hiring a given facility, go visit and get a feel for it in person. It is important not to neglect this step. Look around. Is the facility clean? Is there a foul odor in the air over and above the norm? Do the animals boarding there appear to be happy and healthy? Are they kept in sanitary cages?
Do not leave your pet at any facility which does not mandate proof of current vaccinations. This should include a worm check.
Occasionally, veterinary hospitals set up an in-house pet boarding facility for the convenience of their customers. On the surface, one would consider this to be the best option, since it would be near medical care should it be needed. However, there are other things to think about here.
Consider this from your pet’s perspective. If you were a cat or dog, how would you feel hanging out in a human hospital for a few days? Hospitals are what they are. They are places for sick and recovering pets. Your pet is probably will not have much fun staying in a veterinary hospital while you are away, nor are they likely to get the care and exercise they need.
The major focus of a vet clinic is treating and managing care for sick and injured animals. The assistants and other staff usually have their hands full at all times trying to stay on top of things. How likely is your pet to get really good care and attention in an environment like this?
While you are visiting different facilities, see if the animals are monitored and kept safe and secure while exercising or playing outdoors. They should not be left in any enclosed area without supervision for long periods of time. Observe all fencing and make sure it looks secure, with no holes or “easy to dig out” places at the bottom.
If you are boarding a cat, they should be contained in an area that is separated well from the dogs. Few things can stress out a normal cat worse than around the clock barking and howling! If you will be boarding a dog, be certain to find out how he will be cared for. How often will he be fed? Will he have regular outdoor play time? Will they give him his own healthy dog food that you bring from home?
Before you leave your animal at any pet boarding facility, observe how the people working there handle the pets. Do they seem to love the animals, and show compassion and patience? This isn’t the easiest job, and not everyone is suited for it. Take your gut feeling into account here – will they be good to your pet?
Take enough time to visit different places and evaluate your options. Pick the one you feel will best serve your pet’s needs while you are away.
Helping your pets stay healthy and contented plays a big role in being a caring and responsible pet owner. Stay on top of the latest healthy pet news and pet products.
Tags: cats, ragdollcats, pets, catcare
