For the Love of Vets

Going on Vacation and Can't Take Your Dog? Use Animal Boarding

2 December 2020

Erin Steeves

If you are going on vacation and have a dog, you may be trying to determine what you are going to do with it while you are gone. One option you have is to put your dog in animal boarding. This way you can have a great time knowing your dog is being well cared for. Below are three tips to help you find the right animal boarding.

Size

One thing you need to consider is the size of the animal boarding facility. It needs to be large enough so that your dog will feel comfortable. A good boarding facility will have kennels that are large enough to accommodate the animal and kennels that are not very close to other kennels. The kennel should be large enough for your dog to freely move around in. Having less dogs in one area will put much less stress on your dog as they would not have to hear a lot of barking, whining, etc. from other dogs.

Outdoor Space

Look for a boarding facility that has outdoor space for the dogs. This is important as you do not want your dog cooped up in a kennel the entire time you are gone. The outdoor area should be grassy or have other type of soft flooring. The outdoor space should have plenty of room for the dogs to run around and play in. There should be toys outside for the dogs to play with, such as balls, chew toys, etc. The boarding facility should have someone with the dogs at all times while the dogs are outside just in case there is a fight.

Safety

Talk with the boarding facility owner about safety. This will include having double gates to reduce the chances of your dog breaking out, tall fencing so the dogs cannot jump over, and more. You should consider microchipping your dog in case they do escape from the facility. Microchipping is done in a vet's office and is a tiny chip placed under their skin. There should be enough staff members to take care of the dogs. Ask the owner if anyone stays all night at the kennel to watch after the dogs. The boarding facility should have secure locks or other types of security, such as a security system or security camera. The dogs should be taken out on a regular schedule. 

Visit several boarding facilities, like Marquette Animal Hospital, in your area and walk through them. This can help you make the right choice on what would be best for your dog.

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