Finding the Best Dog
Boarding in Austin
Dog boarding is big business these days as more and more
families travel regularly on vacations and adults take lengthy business
trips. With so much travel going on, it
can be difficult to find someone you really trust to watch Fido – and if you
want your dog to be content and fussed over while you’re gone, it becomes even
trickier.
In Austin
there are plenty of ways to make sure your pet is properly cared for because
the last ten years have witnessed an explosion in exceptional dog boarding
centers. These aren’t the old-fashioned
concrete floor, tiny cage facilities of a generation ago – today dog boarding
is as much about the dog’s happiness as it is about the basics of food and
shelter.
A Shift in Perception
– Dog as Friend, not Pet
This shift in what is offered at a dog boarding kennel or
dog day care is in large part due to the increased number of professionals who
remain childless for years. Their dog
essentially becomes a surrogate child and they expect these pampered pooches to
be treated like a family member by anyone entrusted with caring for them. Increasingly singles in Austin are also taking on pets as companions
and they, too, demand only the best for their most loyal companion. Dog boarding facilities have responded with
increasingly personalized care and plenty of extras.
To find a dog boarding provider that will offer the best
possible care to your loved pet, be sure to ask the following questions:
- Are you a member of the ABKA? The American Boarding Kennel Association is a self-regulated organization that offers certification to boarding kennels that meet specific criteria. The organization polices facilities across the country and offers a variety of services to members to help improve and maintain the best possible care for dogs.
- How do you determine if your facility is right for my dog? Although it may seem convenient if a dog day care or kennel says they will take any dog, this should be a red flag. Some dogs simply aren’t suited to a group environment and could injure or hurt other pets – a good boarding kennel will tell you that they need to evaluate your pet to make sure he is socialized properly and will be comfortable within the environment they provide.
- Do all dogs play together? The answer to this should be, “no.” Dogs should be divided up into groups somehow. The simplest, especially for a dog day care center, is to provide a room play area for large dogs and a separate one for small dogs to prevent injuries or intimidation. Some facilities will also take intro consideration temperament and other factors. Be sure that the kennel or day care explains why and how they separate the dogs into groups.
- Do you have a veterinarian
available? Any facility that
you entrust with your pet’s well-being should have a specific vet on call
that will be used in the event of an emergency.
Asking these questions can give you an excellent idea of
whether or not the Austin
dog day care or dog boarding facility you’re considering will provide the best
care for your canine pal.