Leaving A Dog At The Kennel

Article Title: Leaving A Dog At The Kennel
Author: David Beart

There may be times when a pet owner must travel, and they have
to place a pet dog in a kennel. The pet owner wants to be sure
that the dog is in a safe, healthy, and secure environment. When
choosing a kennel, the owner should contact several dog kennels
in advance. A quality dog kennel should be open to visitors and
accountable to a licensing authority. Dog kennels should be
well-maintained, disease free, and have space for the animals to
exercise during their stay at the facility. If a dog kennel does
not accept unannounced visitors, pet owners should not patronize
the facility. In addition, the owner should report the kennel to
local authorities or the American Boarding Kennel Association.
Concerned-citizen reports can result in a facility audit and, if
necessary, citations that will force the facility to improve its
services.

High-quality dog kennels will provide services similar to a
hotel. The pet owner/potential customer should look for the
following:

• Cleanliness – The entire facility, inside and outside, should
be free of odor, spacious, and properly ventilated. Also, there
should be cleaning times scheduled daily.

• Exercise Areas – Walking/running areas at the dog kennel
should be free of debris, secured by well-maintained fencing,
and supervised by staff members.

• Sleeping Quarters – Dog beds must be sanitized, odor free,
and contain solid dividers (to prevent aggression and transfer
of fleas or urine).

• Food – Some dog kennels maintain a feeding regimen consisting
of a certain brand of dog food; others will purchase food
depending on price and availability. If necessary, a kennel
should be able to accept animals that have specific dietary
requirements or restrictions. In addition, water bowls should be
placed throughout exercise areas, and there should be individual
bowls available for each resident of the dog kennel.

• Medical Accommodations – The kennel staff should be able to
administer pills, liquids, or salves to any animal in their
care. The owner should tell the facility about any medications
(type, amount, method of administration) that a dog needs to
receive.

• Kennel Staff – Owners and employees of reputable dog kennels
should be educated about animals, and have been trained in
animal care. A potential customer needs to know if there is
24-hour coverage at the facility or if there are periods of time
when the animals are left alone. Also, veterinarian services
should be available, if necessary.

• Neighboring Areas – Many kennels are located in commercial
areas, and the neighboring facilities are other businesses
fronted by busy streets or intersections. The animals' safety
needs to be taken into account, and the best locations for dog
kennels are in quiet areas that are situated away from busy
streets.

When planning a trip without a pet, a dog owner needs to call
the facility as soon as the person's trip has been finalized.
Making reservations for animals well in advance assures that
space will be available in the dog kennel. When the dog is
placed in the dog kennel, the owner needs to leave contact
information with the kennel staff. Preferably, the owner should
leave a residence number, a cell phone number, and, if
applicable, a work number so the staff has several contact
alternatives available in the event of an emergency or if they
have questions for the owner. Careful evaluation of several dog
kennels before placing a pet in one is imperative to ensure the
safety and good health of a pet.

About The Author: David Beart is owner of the
http://www.professorshouse.com , a site dedicated to dog
information, family, relationships and household issues.

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