When you’re looking to board your dog, you need to select a location that’s suitable for you as well as your dog. There are more options than ever to pick from when you are leaving your pet in the care of other pet owners. Apart from the kennels that are boarding, there are dog sitters who can board your dog at their home or at your home.
An ideal place to start is by asking your veterinarian or groomer, dog-owning family members, or neighbors for the names of boarding facilities or dog sitters that they would recommend. It’s important to know the right questions to ask and the right things to look for when finding the right “home-away-from-home” dog boarding chiang mai boarding experience for your dog.
Dog Boarding Checklist
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Contact the dog sitter or kennel early enough prior to your travel date to arrange an appointment for both you and your pet.
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Do due diligence. If you’re considering an animal boarding facility that is commercially operated check whether they’re certified and an official member of a professional association. If you’re interviewing someone, find out how long the person has been pet sitting and the number of repeated customers they’ve had. Also, look up some references.
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Learn about the requirements for immunization. Many kennels will require a Bordetella shot, in addition to the hepatitis, distemper, rabies and parvovirus as well as parainfluenza. Do dogs also get examined for ticks and fleas?
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Keep an eye out for safe, clean and safe conditions. You should have adequate, safe and secure areas for exercise and sleeping areas that are comfortable and non-slip surfaces. Are you allowed to explore all the areas of the pet’s home or kennel where your dog has access to? Are they safe and free of chemicals that harm your dog?
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Meet the caretakers and observe how they interact with your dog. How many dogs will they be caring for at one time? What kind of exercise do the dogs receive, and how often do they get out to eliminate? What type of animal care education and training does the veterinary professional have?
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Check out the amenities that have been made for the comfort of boarders. This includes drinking water that is fresh in addition to temperature control, air conditioning, and shelter.
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Learn what to do in the event that your dog has health issues or emergency that require medical attention or veterinary treatment. Make sure that the pet care provider is certified in pet first aid.
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Review the staffing arrangement. Do you have a competent staff on the premises 24-hours-a-day? Is there an evacuation plan in case in the event of an emergency?
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Observe the handling of the dogs. Are there any interactions allowed with other dogs? How carefully is this being monitored?
Other Considerations When Boarding Your Dog
It is important to have quality However, cost is also important when determining the best boarding facilities. Find out what their daily or nightly costs are and if they include walks, individual attention, administering medications and bathing. What type of payment is accepted and will you be paying at the time you collect your dog? What is the checkout time and what’s the cost you charged if you’re late? What’s the cancellation policy? Some establishments charge a penalty in the event of late cancellations. This could be justified if they’ve refused other bookings.
If your dog hasn’t been boarded before, consider an overnight visit before an extended time. Even a few hours of doggie daycare is a good test. This can help your dog feel more at ease with the experience and give your caretaker a greater understanding of what your dog’s needs are. It also gives you the opportunity to observe what your dog does when you pick them up. Is your dog desperate to go? Do you feel tired, but are you happy? Do you want to say goodbye to the caregiver? Ask the caretaker for an exact report in writing of the way your dog responded to the new setting.
If you are taking your dog to boarding bring their food, medical and vet information, their bed, and your dog’s favorite toys. Be sure to provide up-to-date contact information as well for an emergency contact. When you leave, stay positive and cheerful. Be sure to keep the goodbyes short and sweet.
When you collect your pet from the boarding kennel or the dog’s watcher’s house, don’t give them food or water for at most four hours following the return home. They will likely be excited and may trigger vomiting, food intake, and diarrhea. If they seem thirsty offer a few Ice cubes, not water. Let your dog lay down and rest.
Often the hardest part of leaving the city is trusting someone else to take care of your canine companion. Making the effort to locate a boarding option you trust and one that your dog likes will make all the difference in the final.