| There may be times when a pet owner must | | | | water bowls should be placed throughout |
| travel, and they have to place a pet dog in a | | | | exercise areas, and there should be |
| kennel. The pet owner wants to be sure that | | | | individual bowls available for each resident |
| the dog is in a safe, healthy, and secure | | | | of the dog kennel. |
| environment. When choosing a kennel, the | | | | |
| owner should contact several dog kennels in | | | | • Medical Accommodations - The kennel |
| advance. A quality dog kennel should be open | | | | staff should be able to administer pills, |
| to visitors and accountable to a licensing | | | | liquids, or salves to any animal in their |
| authority. Dog kennels should be | | | | care. The owner should tell the facility |
| well-maintained, disease free, and have space | | | | about any medications (type, amount, method |
| for the animals to exercise during their stay | | | | of administration) that a dog needs to |
| at the facility. If a dog kennel does not | | | | receive. |
| accept unannounced visitors, pet owners | | | | |
| should not patronize the facility. In | | | | • Kennel Staff - Owners and employees |
| addition, the owner should report the kennel | | | | of reputable dog kennels should be educated |
| to local authorities or the American Boarding | | | | about animals, and have been trained in |
| Kennel Association. Concerned-citizen | | | | animal care. A potential customer needs to |
| reports can result in a facility audit and, | | | | know if there is 24-hour coverage at the |
| if necessary, citations that will force the | | | | facility or if there are periods of time when |
| facility to improve its services. | | | | the animals are left alone. Also, |
| | | | veterinarian services should be available, if |
| High-quality dog kennels will provide | | | | necessary. |
| services similar to a hotel. The pet owner | | | | |
| potential customer should look for the | | | | • Neighboring Areas - Many kennels are |
| following: | | | | located in commercial areas, and the |
| | | | neighboring facilities are other businesses |
| • Cleanliness - The entire facility, | | | | fronted by busy streets or intersections. |
| inside and outside, should be free of odor, | | | | The animals' safety needs to be taken into |
| spacious, and properly ventilated. Also, | | | | account, and the best locations for dog |
| there should be cleaning times scheduled | | | | kennels are in quiet areas that are situated |
| daily. | | | | away from busy streets. |
| | | | |
| • Exercise Areas - Walking/running | | | | When planning a trip without a pet, a dog |
| areas at the dog kennel should be free of | | | | owner needs to call the facility as soon as |
| debris, secured by well-maintained fencing, | | | | the person's trip has been finalized. Making |
| and supervised by staff members. | | | | reservations for animals well in advance |
| | | | assures that space will be available in the |
| • Sleeping Quarters - Dog beds must be | | | | dog kennel. When the dog is placed in the |
| sanitized, odor free, and contain solid | | | | dog kennel, the owner needs to leave contact |
| dividers (to prevent aggression and transfer | | | | information with the kennel staff. |
| of fleas or urine). | | | | Preferably, the owner should leave a |
| | | | residence number, a cell phone number, and, |
| • Food - Some dog kennels maintain a | | | | if applicable, a work number so the staff has |
| feeding regimen consisting of a certain brand | | | | several contact alternatives available in the |
| of dog food; others will purchase food | | | | event of an emergency or if they have |
| depending on price and availability. If | | | | questions for the owner. Careful evaluation |
| necessary, a kennel should be able to accept | | | | of several dog kennels before placing a pet |
| animals that have specific dietary | | | | in one is imperative to ensure the safety and |
| requirements or restrictions. In addition, | | | | good health of a pet. |