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We only want the best for our four-legged friends. That's why we want them to be in safe hands when we travel without our pets. A trustworthy boarding kennel reassures the pet owner and also offers the four-legged friend a pleasant time without their owner.
For many vacations, it is not a big problem to take the furry family members with you on your travels. If you are traveling by car, you can often get your pets ready to travel quickly and inexpensively. Dogs can be stored in the trunk or, the safer option, in a pet carrier. However, it is not always possible to take your pets with you on vacation. This raises the question of how pet owners can travel without their pets. Friends or family are of course a good alternative. If they agree to look after the dog or cat for a while, this is often the best solution. This is because the animal and person are usually familiar with each other and don't have to get used to each other first.
However, if no neighbors, friends or acquaintances are willing to look after your four-legged friend for a few days, commercial boarding kennels are often the only sensible solution. After all, every pet owner wants their pet to be well looked after in their absence. So you can spend a relaxing vacation, but the dog will also be happy about a great stay in a kennel.
The question now is how to find the best possible boarding kennel for your four-legged friend. You can quickly determine whether a kennel meets your requirements and whether your pet will be well looked after based on a few characteristics.
As is often said, first impressions count the most. So if you have a bad feeling when you enter the kennel or notice massive shortcomings, you should not suppress these feelings.
What you should look out for in a kennel
Apart from first impressions and gut feelings, there are a few tangible criteria that can help you find the perfect accommodation for your dog. For example, the premises should be hygienic and tidy. If basic hygiene standards such as clean water and food bowls are not maintained in the kennel, this is a serious sign of a dubious kennel.
All areas should also be free of excrement (as far as possible). The rooms should make a neat and clean impression. During the tour, you should make sure that the rest of the accommodation is also clean and hygienic. This is the only way to ensure the health of your four-legged friends after your vacation. Hygiene is particularly important when several animals come together in a kennel. All animals should already be house-trained. This can prevent the development of diseases.
In order to rule out a possible risk to your pet, only animals that have been vaccinated and protected against parasite infestation should be admitted to the kennel. Proof of deworming and ongoing protection against parasites such as ticks, fleas etc. are among the basic rules of a trustworthy kennel. In addition, guest dogs should be vaccinated against common diseases such as distemper, kennel cough, hepatitis, leptospirosis, parvovirosis and rabies.
A kennel should be as professional as possible
If a boarding kennel does not allow you to visit the kennel in advance, you should sort it out straight away. After all, a professional boarding kennel would never turn down the opportunity to view the place where your beloved four-legged friend is to be housed. Even if you turn up unannounced, your request for a viewing should not be turned down. Because it is precisely during these unannounced visits to the kennel that you can get a realistic assessment of the situation in the kennel.
All employees should have appropriate training. In accordance with §11 of the Animal Welfare Act, the operator of the kennel should be able to present a certificate of competence. This proves that the kennel operator has the necessary basic knowledge of dog keeping. Depending on the respective legal situation, this certificate of competence authorizes the operator to keep certain dog breeds.
However, not only the operator, but also the employees should have a minimum level of knowledge. Appropriate training as an animal keeper or dog carer enables employees to look after pets in an animal-friendly manner. If you receive these certificates from the boarding kennel, you can be sure that the staff at the kennel are experts. But it's not just the training of the staff that matters, because your pet should also be cared for as lovingly as possible. If the boarding kennel is hopelessly overcrowded, there will be little time left for the proper care and attention of your four-legged friend.
The right care for your dog in a kennel
In terms of care, the animals should always have access to fresh water and sufficient food. To avoid diarrhea or other problems, it is advisable to provide your own food. If your pet is dependent on certain medication, you should inform the staff directly. It is best to bring the necessary medication with you when you 'check in' to the kennel so that the staff can administer it to your four-legged friend as usual. In addition to their physical well-being, your four-legged friend should also be mentally well during their stay. To help them get used to their new surroundings more quickly, it is advisable to give them their own blanket or favorite toy. It would be ideal to bring the dog's sleeping bed with you, as this allows the animal to sleep restfully.
Overall, it is important to take a close look during the inspection and ask directly if there are any uncertainties. A boarding kennel is an excellent way to enjoy a relaxing vacation without your pet having to stay at home alone. A good boarding kennel can be assessed on the basis of the above criteria.
