10 THINGS YOU SHOULD DO BEFORE YOU
BOARD YOUR DOG!
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CHECK LIST
Here is a checklist of 10 important
steps to consider before boarding your dog. Consideration of
each of these items will help you and your dog to have a
good boarding experience.
1. Interview - Interview the kennel on the phone.
Find out how long they have been in business and ask for
references. Use those references. Make a surprise visit or
tour the facility before you schedule the boarding. Notice
the place is clean, smells, check out where the dogs are
boarded, where they are walked and if they seem….happy. Do
any dogs have messes in their cages?
2. Look for Recommendations - Talk to a few kennels
before you decide where to take your pet. Also, ask your
friends or neighbors where they have boarded their pet and
what their experiences have been. Recommendations go along
way. Don’t go for the cheapest place. Go for the best place.
3. Determine Kennel Requirements - Does your pet need
any special vaccines for this kennel? If so, what and when?
Do they need a copy of the vaccine record? Can you supply
your own food and treats? Can you leave any toys or his
favorite blanket? Can you leave your pets leash, collar or
harness?
4. Check out Kennel Staff - Find out about the
consistency with the staff – is it the same person seeing
your dog everyday or someone new? It is someone who knows
about pets or a high school student shoveling food into the
cages? Does the staff appear competent and do they look like
they enjoy working with the dogs?
5. What is the Dog’s Schedule? - How often do they go
out? Where are they walked? For how long? Is that enough to
make your pet happy? Will you dog interact with other dogs?
Is that what you want?
6. Feeding Instructions - Consider taking your dogs
own food and request that they kennel only feed his food.
Many pets are fed other foods and treats and can develop
gastrointestinal upset such as vomiting and or diarrhea.
Your pet is already in a new environment which is most
likely a bit stressful; so don’t change anything you don’t
have to.
7. Contact Information - Ensure that the kennel has
your numbers where you can be reached in the case of an
emergency. Include your cell phone and any emergency
contacts. Plan for the unexpected.
8. Emergency Instructions - Just in case of an
emergency, leave instructions on how to proceed. During
emergency hours, the kennel may use a certain veterinarian
or emergency hospital. During the day, if you want your pet
to go to your regular veterinarian – leave your vets name
and phone number. Leave instructions on what you do and
don’t want and a contact number or credit card number for
emergency medical care. If you are not available by phone,
make sure they have the authorization to make charges if
care is required. You don’t want your pet “waiting” for
medical care because of lack of credit card authorization.
9. Medical History - Obtain a copy of your pets
pertinent medical record from your vet and give a copy to
the kennel. Ideally, this record should include any
medications, diagnosed conditions and problems . Include any
behavioral quirks e.g. aggressive to other dogs or if he
hates cats. Leave information about his tag and microchip
numbers.
10. Leave Special Instructions - Make sure you
clearly indicate any special instructions. For example, if
you pet requires medications, ensure the name of the
medication, dose (both in mg and number of pills, and
frequency are clearly indicated. Also communicate any
special foods or dietary restrictions. Keep the instructions
simple with a contact number to call in the case of
questions.
