If you are a pet owner, you may decide to use a pet boarding kennel if you need to board your cat and dog and don't want to use a pet sitter. Knowing what to expect from a boarding kennel and tell if a facility is reputable will help you choose the best temporary home for your pet.
Function
A pet boarding kennel is a facility where pet owners bring their dogs or cats to stay temporarily. Typically owners use pet boarding kennels when they are going away on vacation. However, they may choose to board their pets for other reasons. For example, an allergic house guest might be visiting or a person might be doing remodeling work and need his pets to be out of the way. The pet boarding kennel serves as a safe temporary home for the animals.
Types
Some pet boarding kennels will board both dogs and cats while some specialize in just one type of animal. Some pet boarding kennels are very basic, housing the animals in cages or runs. Others resemble a spa for animals, with large, furnished cat "condos" and spacious facilities where dogs can run and play instead of being confined. Some pet boarding kennels even have web cams that allow pet owners to keep an eye on their animals as long as they have an Internet connection.
Benefits
It can be beneficial to leave your pet at a pet boarding kennel rather than entrusting it to a pet sitter because a kennel is a commercial business with multiple staff members. Even the most reliable pet sitter can have an emergency arise. If he has no backup, your pet might not receive care. In a kennel, with a full staff, there will always be someone there to care for the animals. Pet sitters usually only visit for a limited amount of time, but in a kennel your dog or cat will be around people for a much longer period each day. This means staff members are more likely to quickly notice a health problem that might arise.
Considerations
When you're searching for a pet boarding kennel, visit it beforehand to assess the facilities and the level of cleanliness. Are the cages or areas where the animals are housed clean? Is there any unpleasant odor? How is the staff's attitude? Do they seem to genuinely care about the animals? Do the dogs and/or cats look comfortable and happy? Based on what you see, would you feel comfortable leaving your pet at the facility?
Warning
Pet boarding kennels can have several downsides, including the stress of removing your pet from its home and leaving it with strangers in an unfamiliar environment. Because your dog or cat will be around a large number of other animals, it can also be subject to catching an illness or possibly getting fleas. You can mimimize some of these problems by making sure that the kennel requires all animals to be vaccinated and healthy and that it is clean and well-kept. Pet boarding kennels also can be expensive when compared to a pet sitter.
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