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