You have finally made all the arrangements for that long-deserved vacation: the plane tickets, the hotel room, the new bathing suit, …. But how do you make sure your beloved pet is taken care of during your time away? Some people are fortunate enough to have a friend or neighbor that will either move into their home while they are away or visit their pet regularly. However, this is often not the case. A boarding facility may be an alternative for the care of your cat or dog while you are away.
Boarding facilities come in all sizes and provide a variety of services. All facilities provide the basic care of food, water, and areas for elimination. Some facilities are strictly indoor, whereas others have outdoor runs. Some facilities have additional services available, e.g., training, daycare (see below), grooming, and veterinary services. Cats are usually boarded separate from dogs. As with dogs, there are a variety of facilities, e.g., separate cages or kitty condos, open play areas, windows for sun and bird watching, etc.
The best way to choose a boarding facility is to visit and ask questions. The facility should be clean and well-kept, the staff should be friendly and knowledgable, and you should feel comfortable with your decision. If your pet requires special care, discuss this with the facility's staff . If your pet's needs cannot be satisfied at that facility, look for another facility that meets your needs. If your pet has a medical condition, make sure that the staff are adept at giving medication. You may even want to consider a boarding facility associated with a veterinary hospital, in case your pet needs veterinary care during your absence. Make sure you leave explicit instructions regarding your wishes regarding medical care so that your pet can receive the appropriate care in an emergency. And always leave an emergency number where you can be reached.
Check with your specific boarding facility to be sure. Many facilities allow you to bring your pet's bed or blanket to make them more comfortable. But be aware that sometimes a pet may become anxious or bored while boarding, and start to tear or eat the blanket or bed. Sometimes they can even ingest enough to cause an intestinal blockage! If your pet is on a specific diet or medication, be sure to bring enough to last the entire time that you are gone, plus a little extra just in case you decide to take a few extra days of vacation.
One of the priorities of boarding facilities is your pet's safety. When you visit the facility, ask about this important issue. Can dogs or cats get in contact with other pets? Are the cages well-constructed and free of sharp edges, etc? Is there an emergency plan? Do they require all pets to be appropriately vaccinated? If your pet is already vaccinated, make sure to bring this information with you when you come for boarding. Vaccinations protect not only your pet, but other pets in the facility as well.
Daycare is an alternative to leaving your dog at home alone while you are working. It allows them to interact with other dogs and people, helping them to develop good socialization skills. Each daycare facility will be set up a little differently, so the best advice is to visit and see how is works. The dogs get lots of time to play with each other as well as with enrichment toys. Some facilities also provide training with daycare. Before beginning daycare, each dog must be evaluated for their suitability. While most dogs do well and enjoy daycare, others may be too aggressive, dominant, or shy to be a good candidate for daycare. The daycare staff should be well-trained and experienced with animal behavior. No one wants their dog to be injured when it can be prevented.
So pack your pet's bags too, and have a safe and happy vacation!