The Vital Safety Checks You Must Perform Before Choosing A Dog Kennel

It’s always difficult leaving your dog in someone else’s care, so it’s vital to ensure that the facilities and services you choose are up to scratch. Many companies offer boarding services for pets for long and short stays, some with indoor/outdoor runs, some with totally enclosed facilities, and some that house pets inside but utilize outside exercise areas. It’s important to visit the kennel yourself to that you can check on cleanliness, safety, security, facilities and levels of supervision.

Safety and sanitation

The kennel should look clean and tidy and smell good. Check for sturdy, well-maintained fencing and gates, as well as dividers between runs. The areas should be free of sharp objects and chemicals, and exercise areas should have barriers to prevent larger dogs urinating in adjacent runs.

Supervision

Kennels need to have a low ratio of handlers to dogs to ensure adequate supervision. Competent personnel are trained to recognize and evaluate signs or distress or illness and seek veterinary help when needed.

Health care

Each pet should have their own bowl with clean drinking water. Kennels will often provide food from a favored brand, but will usually allow you to provide your own. Some kennels will not accept dogs that have excessive medication requirements ie. more than 2 or 3 times per day or at night. You should check whether there is a vet on site or whether the kennel would rather liaise with your own - you will be responsible for any vet’s fees, even if provided by the kennel. Kennels should also ensure that all dogs have the correct vaccinations, although some won’t accept dogs that have only been vaccinated in the last 72 hours. They should also employ parasite control measures if in an area where fleas or ticks are a problem.

Choosing a kennel

The American Boarding Kennels Association is a not-for-profit trade body that seeks to ensure standards of care within the industry. Remember that Christmas and other holiday periods can become very booked up, so plan well in advance.