Seven Questions to Ask About New
York Dog Boarding
When you’re traveling out of state,
dog boarding is often the best way to make sure your pet is well cared for
while you are gone. Weeding through a
list of the many New York
dog boarding facilities can be a daunting task, however. To help you determine which kennel or
boarding facility is right for your best friend, keep these questions in mind:
- Are you a licensed dog boarding facility? Always check to see that the kennel is properly licensed by the state of New York and that their registration and/or licensing are current.
- Do you belong to the American Boarding Kennels Association? This organization is a voluntary member organization promoting a code of ethics and providing voluntary accreditation programs for all member kennels. If a New York dog boarding facility is a member of the ABKA, it will be properly staffed and following rigid guidelines for the health and welfare of all animals in its care.
- Do you have a veterinarian on call if my dog becomes ill? You should consider looking at some of the many New York dog boarding programs that are affiliated with either a veterinarian’s clinic or veterinarian’s school, particularly if your pet has special health care needs. The availability of quick, professional attention can make a real difference if a problem arises. If the boarding kennel is independent, ask for information on which veterinarian(s) they consult for any health issues.
- What vaccines are required for the pets you board? All New York dog boarding facilities are required to have documentation that dogs are current on their rabies and bordetella vaccines. If you aren’t asked to provide this information, they probably haven’t checked the other pets in their care, either. This could leave your dog exposed to potentially lethal illnesses.
- How much exercise will you provide for my pet? New York dog boarding facilities face a unique challenge – providing plenty of exercise in the city can be difficult. While large dog runs are great, in the city this can prevent a problem. If a facility doesn’t have lots of room, it is just as healthy if they provide plenty of walks (2-5 a day is ideal) on a leash. Remember, dogs get bored easily if you don’t give them plenty of exercise.
- Do you allow pets to share their kennel space? This question isn’t important unless you have two pets to be boarded, but when you do, this should always be addressed. If you have two dogs who are used to sleeping together, be sure that they will be allowed to when boarding since this can alleviate any anxiety and reassure them.
- Are the kennels air conditioned/heated? New York temperatures can be either bitter cold or unbearably hot for pets depending on the time of year. Any boarding kennel in the city should have climate-controlled facilities for all pets so that they are comfortable at all times.
These seven questions are a great
way to narrow down your options when comparing kennels for your beloved
dogs. From there, the best way to
determine the proper place for your pet is you and your pets’ reaction – the
best New York dog boarding facility is the one you are both comfortable with.