Do you travel a lot? Or do you only leave town occasionally? No matter which camp you’re in, it’s a good idea to have a solid relationship with a good kennel. Not only will boarding be much easier for Fido if he is familiar with his home away from home, it will also be easier for you! Of course, you don’t want to trust just anyone with your pet’s care and well-being. You want a great kennel that you can trust to return to for dog boarding again and again. You also want the peace of mind and assurance that your pet is safe, sound, and being well taken care of at his pet hotel. In this article from Valley Pet Hotel, your Rialto, CA pet kennel, also serving Bloomington, CA, a local vet offers some advice on picking your pet’s home away from home.

Reputation

Just as a simple part of due diligence, look up reviews about the kennel. One or two bad reviews among several good ones may not necessarily be a dealbreaker, as that could be a sign of a difficult customer. What you want to look for is a place where the vast majority of the feedback is positive.

You can also ask friends, coworkers, neighbors, and family members to suggest a good kennel.

Location

You may very well start your search by typing something like ‘dog boarding near me’ or ‘puppy boarding near me.’ However, don’t just stick to whatever is within five minutes of home. It may very well be worth the effort to go another 10, 20, or even 30 minutes further for a great spot. 

Staff Qualifications

One thing you would want to ask about would be the qualifications and experience of the kennel staff. While it may make sense to have someone that is fairly new and inexperienced handling some basic tasks, such as cleaning, there should always be more experienced staff members on site. 

Cleanliness

One of the first things you would want to look at during your tour of a kennel is cleanliness. A dirty kennel is a red flag that the staff isn’t committed to keeping conditions clean and sanitary, which in turn speaks volumes about their quality standards overall. That isn’t to say you should expect it to be absolutely spotless. However, it should generally look clean and well-kept, and should not reek of waste.

We would suggest asking how often kennels are clean and sanitized.

Feeding/Packing Standards

Different kennels have different MOA as far as whether or not you can bring Fido’s bed. However, most should allow some toys or comfort items. 

They should also be very clear about the requirements for food. For instance, we prefer that kibble be divided and labeled.

Exercise Opportunities

Many kennels offer additional walks, cuddle sessions, or playtime as extra add-ons. However, your pooch should get walked at least twice a day as part of the basic package. (If Fido has his own little run, once a day may suffice.)

Privacy

While some pets are very sociable and love to spend time with their friends, others are quite nervous, and would be uneasy with too many roommates and neighbors. Pets should, at the very least, have their own sleeping areas.

Kennel Setup

A boarding kennel should offer significantly more room than the type of kennel you would see at a veterinary office or groomer. Your pet should be able to sit up, stand, stretch out, walk, and turn around without being cramped by the kennel sides or ceiling.

Safety Protocols

Another thing you’ll want to look for is the safety and security of the kennel itself. You’ll want to go with a place that has safety features built in, such as high walls, double gates, and security cameras. These things help ensure that pets cannot possibly escape.

Number Of Pets/Staff

Pets need quite a bit of love and care. Making sure that the kennel has a decent proportion of guests to staff is decent. A kennel with 20 dogs in the yard and only one staff member isn’t safe, as that one person couldn’t easily settle things if a scuffle breaks out.

Ventilation

A good kennel is going to have a decent ventilation system. This not only helps reduce foul odors and make sure the air is fresh, it can also reduce the risk of germs being transmitted.

Climate Control

Climate control is another key thing to look for. Even if you live in an area with a fairly stable climate, it’s still crucial to make sure that your pet is protected from heat and cold.

Standards/Policies

Good kennels also have some requirements for the pets they will accept. For instance, many will not take puppies or kittens that have not yet completed their initial rounds of vaccines. They’ll also be discerning about their clients, and may assess each pet before booking them, simply to ensure that they are only allowing friendly, well-behaved guests into their facility. That’s important both for the safety of the kennel staff and for that of other pets.

Veterinary Care

While hopefully none of you will have to deal with your pet having an emergency at a kennel, it is important to know that your pet will receive immediate care if something happens. Ask if the kennel keeps a vet on staff, or if they work closely with a specific clinic.

Perks And Upgrades

Kennels all operate a bit differently. Many are now becoming more and more like luxury hotels or spas for their furry wards. Ask about what extras you can order for your four-legged bestie! These may range from things like extra cuddles, treats, catnip, or playtime, or additional walks.

Documentation/Vaccination Requirement

Run from any kennel that does not require proof that your pet is current on their vaccinations. For dogs, you would expect for Fido to have to be up-to-date on not just his core vaccines, but also a few non-core vaccines, such as Bordetella and Parvo. They may also request information or documentation about your furry pal’s medical history.

Kennel Setup

Many boarding kennels accept both dogs and cats. However, Fido and Fluffy should never be kept close together. Being near a room full of dogs can be extremely stressful for kitties! Cats should have their own area. This should be separated from the dogs, so that the kitties cannot see (or, ideally, hear) their canine neighbors.

Booking Procedures

You can expect to see some variation in booking policies, simply because kennels all do things their own way. But you do want to make sure the kennel has reasonable policies for things like cancellations, extended stays, and so on. Read over any paperwork carefully.

General Atmosphere

You can also get a pretty good idea of a kennel just by observing how the staff and pets seem. If every worker seems to be stressed and unhappy, well, it’s not a good sign. And while some of the pets may clearly be less than thrilled about being away from home, they should be clearly comfortable and being well looked after.

Conclusion: When looking for a kennel for your pet, you’ll want to look into several facets of the kennel’s setup, protocols, and procedures. This includes things like vaccination requirements, but also safety features, cleaning schedules, veterinarian access, ventilation, climate control, and booking procedures. Doing a thorough assessment doesn’t need to be time consuming, but if you know what you’re looking for and what to avoid, it can help you narrow down the options, and help ensure that you’re picking a great spot for your furry bestie.

Book A Stay At Our Rialto, CA Kennel

Are you looking for a great home away from home for your furry bestie? Please feel free to reach out to us here at Valley Pet Hotel, your Rialto, CA pet kennel, also serving Bloomington, CA.