Each and every time we have the opportunity to go on vacation it is certainly an exciting time. Whether it’s the beach or a backpacking trip throughout Europe, the last thing you want to do is to worry about who is going to take care of your animals while you are gone. While many individuals have a relative, neighbor or pet sitter that they feel comfortable leaving their pet with, some of us haven’t found someone that they can trust to treat our furry child. So, what options do the rest of us have? The best, and often most overlooked, option that pet owners have when they don’t have anyone to watch their pets is a boarding facility.
What is a Boarding Facility?
Boarding facilities are intended to be similar to a hotel, in fact they are often called pet hotels. You take your pet for an allotted number of days to their facility, where they are given a sizeable kennel to reside in at night. Most boarding houses allow you to send your pet with their favorite pillows, blankets and toys to ensure that they are as comfortable as possible. If you are curious as to what you should take with you to a boarding facility for your pet, check out What to Take With You When Boarding Your Dog at a Kennel. During the daytime, trained boarding staff care for your pet, play with him and give him the attention that he is likely missing from you. Good facilities typically also have an enclosed outdoor play area where your pet can get out their energy and get some sunshine.
How Do You Know You Can Trust a Boarding Facility with Your Pet?
It is rather difficult to trust anyone with your pet, let alone trust someone that you don’t necessarily know. That’s why it is important to gather as much information as you can about a facility before you leave your pet with them. Most facilities will permit you to stop in and check out their kennels and the play area that they have for dogs so that you can see everything. They will also share with you information about the activities they do with your pet, the schedules they maintain and the staff that will be caring for your pet. Check out the Humane Society website for some of the key considerations to keep in mind when getting to know a potential boarding facility.
When you meet with a boarding professional ahead of time this is the best time to ask questions and get references from other pet owners who have boarded with them. Take both the references that you receive and your experience in the facility into consideration prior to boarding your pet. Additionally, you want to ensure that the boarding facility you choose is operating under the American Boarding Kennels Association, as mentioned on PetMD. You want to be sure that you are comfortable with your decision, otherwise you won’t have the relaxing peace of mind that you need for an enjoyable vacation.
Keep in mind that most San Diego dog boarding facilities also permit you to board your cats and other small animals. This means that if you have a dog and a cat you can easily board both in a safe facility that will care for them both equally. And, it means that you can sit back and enjoy your vacation time without having to worry about the care of your best friend.
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