Dog Kennels – Home Sweet Home?

Dog kennels provide a necessary service to dog owners who have to travel and are unable to tote their beloved animals with them.  Though these basic services are necessary, the dog kennel you choose should also meet certain, very specific standards so you can be confident that you are leaving your puppy in good hands.

There are several questions to consider when choosing a kennel.  Kennels should be, above all else, clean.  When considering the cleanliness, make sure that it not only looks clean but also smells clean and has sufficient light and ventilation to maintain your dog’s health. 

Cats and dogs should be kept separately, and no animal should be on bare concrete without some sort of bedding on which to rest.  All dogs, cats, and other animals boarded should have access to water at all times, and you should find out how frequently feeding occurs.  If your dog requires a specific food, check with the staff to be certain that you can send your dog food with your pet.  You do not want your dog to be forced to eat something that could cause health issues.

All dogs boarded at the facility are required to have current vaccinations, and have your puppy vaccinated prior to placing it in the kennel.  This protects your dog, as well as other pets in the facility, from contaminating each other.

Make sure there is plenty of room to move around and that all outdoor areas are protected from the weather.  Reassure that, if your dog does not socialize well, he or she will be kept separately from other pets in the kennel.  All dogs should have their own individual pens in which to rest and move about.

Check that the staff is knowledgeable and caring toward dogs, and inquire after the veterinary services available, should your dog become ill during its stay.

Kennels are regulated by safety standards in most states; find out what the inspection standards are, and be sure that the kennel you choose has passed the state inspection.  You can also check with the Better Business Bureau to make sure no complaints have been filed against the kennel.

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