Need to go out of town? A boarding kennel can give your pet quality care—and can give you peace of mind. Before loading Fido or Fluffy into the car and driving over to the nearest kennel, though, it's important to find the right kennel and prepare your pet for boarding. 

How do I find a good kennel?

Ask a friend, neighbor, veterinarian, animal shelter, or dog trainer for a recommendation. You can also check the Yellow Pages under "Kennels & Pet Boarding." Once you have names—even ones you got from reliable sources—it's important to do a little background check.

First, find out whether your state requires boarding kennel inspections. If it does, make sure the kennel you are considering displays a license or certificate showing that the kennel meets mandated standards.

Also ask whether the prospective kennel belongs to the American Boarding Kennels Association (719-667-1600), a trade association founded by kennel operators to promote professional standards of pet care. Besides requiring members to subscribe to a code of ethics, ABKA offers voluntary facility accreditation that indicates the facility has been inspected and meets ABKA standards of professionalism, safety, and quality of care.

After selecting a few kennels, confirm that they can accommodate your pet for specific dates and can address your pet's special needs (if any). If you're satisfied, schedule a visit, or better yet, show up unannounced.

What should I look for?

On your visit, ask to see all the places your pet may be taken. Pay particular attention to the following:

• Does the facility look and smell clean?
• Is there sufficient ventilation and light?
• Is a comfortable temperature maintained?
• Does the staff seem knowledgeable and caring?
• Are pets required to be current on their vaccinations, including the vaccine for canine kennel cough (Bordetella)? (Such a requirement helps protect your animal and others.)
• Does each dog have his own adequately sized indoor-outdoor run or an indoor run and a schedule for exercise?
• Are outdoor runs and exercise areas protected from wind, rain, and snow?
• Are resting boards and bedding provided to allow dogs to rest off the concrete floor?
• Are cats housed away from dogs?
• Is there enough space for cats to move around comfortably?
• Is there enough space between the litter box and food bowls?
• How often are pets fed?
• Can the owner bring a pet's special food?
• What veterinary services are available?
• Are other services available such as grooming, training, bathing?
• How are rates calculated?

RECAP

1.	Ask animal trainers, animal shelters, veterinarians and pet groomers for references to good boarding kennels.
2.	Make unannounced visits to boarding facilities and ask for a tour.
3.	Check for kind personnel and the cleanliness of all of their facilities.
4.	Inquire about food and water, and about how dogs can get exercise.
5.	Be sure that animals, especially old and small ones, can keep warm at night and aren't forced to sleep on cement.
6.	Find out what's provided for cats. Where would they sleep? Is there a separate room for play?
7.	Ask personnel what procedures they take during an emergency.
8.	Board your pet for several hours or overnight before going on a lengthy vacation to get an idea of how he or she responds to the environment.
9.	Consider a pet sitter as an alternative if your pet doesn't respond well to a kennel.
	Tips:
	Give necessary information to the staff regarding your pet's food, needs and medications.
	Leave a favorite toy and an article of clothing with your pet. (Be aware that some kennels may not allow this.)
	Give the boarding facility the phone number of a local friend and of your pet's veterinarian, as well as a phone number where you can be reached in case of an emergency. In addition, call the boarding facility while you're away to check on your pet.
	Warnings:
	If your pet has any kind of illness or requires medication, make sure that kennel personnel are familiar with the proper treatment procedures for him or her.
	Set-up of kennel Make sure the walls dividing the kennels are fully enclosed as opposed to just fence. This way, if one dog lifts its leg, it can't get on another. Also they won't bark all day at each other if they can't see each other Need to go out of town? A boarding kennel can give your pet quality care—and can give you peace of mind. Before loading Fido or Fluffy into the car and driving over to the nearest kennel, though, it's important to find the right kennel and prepare your pet for boarding. What are the pros and cons of using a boarding kennel? Your pet depends on you to take good care of her—even when you have to be out of town. Friends and neighbors may not have the experience or time to properly look after your pet, particularly for longer trips. So next time you have to leave your pet behind for a while, leave pet care to the professionals, such as a pet sitter or boarding kennel. A facility specializing in care and overnight boarding allows your pet to: avoid the stress of a long car or airplane ride to your destination. stay where he's welcome (unlike many hotels). receive more attention and supervision than he would if home alone most of the day. be monitored by staff trained to spot health problems. be secure in a kennel designed to foil canine and feline escape artists. Potential drawbacks to using a boarding kennel include: the stress related to staying in an unfamiliar environment. the proximity to other pets, who may expose your pet to health problems. the difficulty of finding a kennel that accepts pets other than dogs and cats. the inconvenience of the drive over, which can be especially hard on a pet easily stressed by car travel. How do I prepare my pet? Be sure your pet knows basic commands and is well socialized around other people and pets; if your pet has an aggression problem or is otherwise unruly, she may not be a good candidate for boarding. Before taking your animal to the kennel, make sure she is current on vaccinations. It's also a good idea to accustom your pet to longer kennel stays by first boarding her during a short trip, such as a weekend excursion. This allows you to work out any problems before boarding your pet for an extended period. Before you head for the kennel, double-check that you have your pet's medications and special food (if any), your veterinarian's phone number, and contact information for you and a local backup. When you arrive with your pet at the boarding facility, remind the staff about any medical or behavior problems your pet has, such as a history of epilepsy or fear of thunder. After the check-in process, hand your pet to a staff member, say good-bye, and leave. Avoid long, emotional partings, which may upset your pet. Finally, have a good trip, knowing that your pet is in good hands and will be happy to see you when you return.   Home| Grooming |Our Facility | Request a Reservation |Dog Boarding |Cat Boarding |Photo Gallery  Endorsed by the Local Veterinarians. © Kennelz and Bitz LLC 4367 Soldier Road, Moose Lake, MN 55767 218-485-8233  info@kennelzandbitz.com     Dog, Dogs, a Canine Wonderland! - If you love dogs, visit I-Love-Dogs.com now for tons of free dog stuff!