What to Look for in a Boarding Facility
Being on vacation is fun; shouldn't it also be for your pet? Rather than dealing with the difficulty of taking your pet with you or leaving them at home, let your pet go on their own vacation by taking them to a boarding facility. Before you take your beloved pet to just any boarding facility it is important to look into it first, much like how we check destinations, accommodations, and available activities for our vacations.
Destinations
The number of boarding facilities available are growing exponentially. Attempting to narrow down which facilities to choose from can be a long process. An easy way to quickly narrow down the list is to look for facilities that are certified by the American Boarding Kennel Association (ABKA), www.abka.com. In order to achieve this unique status, they are evaluated in over 200 areas to maintain the highest standards, codes, and procedures relating to health, safety, and cleanliness. Also look into what kinds of accommodations and activities they provide for your pet.
Accommodations
When choosing a boarding facility make sure to first take a tour of the facility, you may even want to bring your pet along with you. Here are some important things to pay attention to while you are on tour:
- Is the facility clean?
- How does it smell?
- Is there sufficient lighting &
ventilation?
- Is the temperature comfortable?
- How often are the runs cleaned?
- Is the dog run large enough?
- Are toys and bedding welcome?
- How often are pets fed?
- Can you bring your own dog food?
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- Is the staff caring & knowledgeable?
- Are current vaccinations required?
- Veterinary services should be readily available.
- Are grooming & training services available?
- Is there enough space for cats to move around comfortably?
- Is there enough space between the litter box and food bowls?
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Activities
Find out what activities your pet will engage in while you are gone. For example, the facility should have scheduled walks or playtime and have a supervised exercise yard in a socializing environment. Some facilities also have indoor or outdoor pools. If there is a pool find out if it is heated.
