BOARDING KENNELS AND CATTERIES
HOLIDAY? WEEKEND BREAK? WORKING AWAY?
Leicester & Leicestershire Animal Aid Association offers some helpful advice on what to look for.
- Looking around for a kennel or cattery
- Your choice is made. Taking your dog or cat in to the kennels/cattery
- While your dog or cat is in the kennels/cattery
- Collecting your dog or cat
- Bringing your dog or cat home
Many people resist the idea of putting their much loved dog or cat into a boarding kennels or cattery, preferring instead to leave their pet with family or friends. Of course, this can work out well, and it does save money. But it is a big responsibility. How would you feel if your animal became ill, or went missing? And how would your family or friends feel?
There are lots of boarding kennels and catteries – some of them are very good and some are not. In this leaflet we look at some of the worries that people have, and give some advice to help you choose a kennel or cattery where your dog or cat will be well looked after, and that you can feel happy with. Most of the worries will be yours rather than your pet’s— “he’ll pine, he won’t eat, he’ll be miserable without me, it’s like locking him up.” Sound familiar?.
Hopefully, this leaflet will help to put your mind at ease.
Looking around for a kennel or cattery
Don’t just choose the nearest or the cheapest. Recommendations from others may be your best bet. Never rely on just a phone call: any reputable boarding kennel or cattery should allow you to look round.
For dogs:
- How big are the runs. Are they dry/out of the wind? Are they clean? Are they securely locked? Heated?
- Will your dog have a kennel on its own (unless you have more than one that need to be kept together)?
- How often are the dogs walked and for how long? Are they kept on a lead or allowed to run free? If they are allowed a run, is the area securely enclosed?
For cats:
- Do they have a sleeping area and a run?
- Are they clean?
- Is there something to keep the cats amused?
General (for dogs and cats):
- How long have they been in business?
- How many animals do they take, and how many staff?
- Are there regular staff your dog/cat will get to know?
- Do they insist on up to date vaccination records?
- If food is provided, what about special diets?
- Is it a problem if your animal is on medication?
- Is bedding provided, or do you need to take your own?
- What are the delivery and collection arrangements?
- Is insurance provided? (This may cost extra).
Once you’re satisfied about all the above, ask about the cost. Instinct is important – do you like the people? Does the place feel right? Does it smell? Do the animals look happy and well cared for? If you’re not happy, then look elsewhere. There are plenty to choose from.
Your choice is made. Taking your dog or cat in to the kennels/cattery
- It is often a good idea to take your dog or cat for a short stay for the first time—just for a day, or for one night. If nothing else it will help to reassure you!
- Avoid making a great scene and showing distress – your animal will pick this up. Much better to treat the trip as an adventure, which starts before you leave home. After all, you’re going away to enjoy yourself on holiday, why shouldn’t your dog or cat have a good time too?
- Send your dog or cat with a favourite toy, though they will probably be too busy watching all the other animals to take much notice of it.
- Some kennels immediately take the dog for walk before putting it in the kennel. This is great. Your last sight of your dog is of it rushing off to pick up all the messages and smells left by the other dogs. The dog immediately associates kennels with nice walks.
- If you are likely to be worried, leave a contact number.
While your dog or cat is in the kennels/cattery
- Your dog or cat may be a bit unsettled and go off their food for a bit, but any animal will eat when it gets hungry.
- They won’t get the titbits they get at home, so may come home a bit leaner than when they went in. Most animals, like their owners, can do with losing a bit of weight!
- The kennels/cattery will have details of your own vet, but will also have their own, so don’t worry about what happens if your animal becomes ill.
- Regular grooming may have to go by the board, but some kennels do actually offer a grooming service.
Collecting your dog or cat
- Check collection times: hours are often limited on a Sunday. Some may offer to deliver your pet to your home.
- Your dog or cat should be looking well and be pleased to see you. If you have any worries at that point, raise them before you leave.
Bringing your dog or cat home
- Just let your animal take things in their own time. Some may take a bit longer than others to settle.
- Relax, knowing you’ve both survived the experience, and both look well!
