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PET POINTERS |
| Dear Pet Pointers:
Dear
Pet Pointers: My year old Cairn Terrier has to be
boarded while we go on vacation this summer. How
can I be sure that he is safe and secure while we
are away? My friend gave me the name of a place
that she uses for her dog. Is it okay to visit this
place before I leave Max there?
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 t’s
never easy to leave your dog in someone else’s
care. The best rule of thumb when considering
leaving your pet in a kennel or boarding situation
is to decide whether or not you would feel safe
and warm if you had to stay there yourself. Be
sure to tour the facility where Max will stay to
make sure it is clean, comfortable and well
managed. Try to get an idea of whether he will be
loved and cared for or simply kept and fed.
Choosing a boarding kennel for your dog can be as
important as choosing your child’s daycare or
school system so, don’t rely only on word of mouth
but make your own assessments firsthand. Before
you decide on a kennel for your dog, visit several
facilities and talk to several other dog owners.
Fortunately, the business of boarding dogs has
come a long way in recent years. Responsible
kennel operators should be more than happy to show
you around and to answer any questions. Ask about
veterinary and emergency care, immunizations,
exercise schedules, and any other topic you may
want to discuss. Speak with any and all staff
members who are present. Consider how clean the
cages look and how clean the kennel smells. Good
basic hygiene is the first and foremost
requirement of any kennel. Proper ventilation is
essential in the elimination of airborne viruses
and bacteria. Notice if it feels damp, cold,
overheated or stuffy. Notice the appearance of
other pets. Choosing a facility that has
caretakers within hearing range of the dogs at
night is recommended and a kennel that provides
all night supervision is ideal. Often kennels will
have the availability of extra quality time with
the caretakers. This opportunity to socialize with
humans is extremely important.
All dogs that are boarded should be current on all
vaccinations. Bordetella or kennel cough is a
common upper-respiratory infection that is very
contagious and can easily be picked up in a kennel
situation if a dog is not vaccinated. You should
plan on taking Max to your veterinarian about four
weeks before leaving on vacation for a complete
physical examination and any necessary
vaccinations. In this way you can be confident
that he is in good health and will have the proper
protection while you are away. Your veterinarian
can also be a reliable resource in locating a
dependable kennel.
If your schedule and finances allow, it is an
excellent idea to take Max to the kennel of your
choice for a couple of practice sessions. Leave
him overnight and come back the next morning. If
you can do this several times, he will become
conditioned to the fact that when you leave him in
this location you will always come back. Calm,
highly social and well adjusted dogs seem to enjoy
staying in a kennel similar to a way that children
enjoy summer camp. Others may simply tolerate it.
Also, remember that people are the only creatures
who can tell time. Separated from their owners, a
dog is unlikely to know exactly how long their
humans have been away. They do not have a concept
of time as we do and will be more affected by the
quality of their care at a kennel than by the
length of your absence.
The American Boarding Kennels Association (ABKA,
4575 Galley Rd. Suite 400A, Colorado Springs, CO
80519) is a trade organization that sets standards
for boarding facilities. It can also help you to
locate an approved kennel in your area. All
kennels must be licensed and inspected by state
agencies but standards vary from state to state.
While away, make the kennel staff aware of any of
Max’s special needs and always leave a phone
number in a case of emergency. If you will be
difficult to reach, delegate a friend to assume
responsibility in your absence. Give your
designated representative a signed letter of
authority and confirm this with the kennel
personnel. Be sure to familiarize the kennel with
the age, breed and behavior of your dog.
In an ideal world, we would be able to take our
pets with us wherever we go. If you’ve shopped
carefully and prepared your pet ahead of time,
rest assured, Max will be perfectly fine in a
well-run kennel while you’re away.
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What's New |
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What's new at
Belchertown Guide- a list of recent updates, additions, and
features have been listed below.
6-02
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a complete source for dining information in the Pioneer
Valley, is launched.
Click here.
4-3-02
Our Gardening page has been
updated with new articles from Debbie Windoloski.
Click here.
1-4-02
Our Food & Kitchen page has been
updated with new content from Chefadventures.
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