Keeping Your Pets Happy And Safe When Boarding

By John Voket

How young is too young to board our puppy while we go on vacation?

Is there a better time to board our mature dog?

What is the best way to ensure my pet’s first-time experience at a kennel is a positive one?

These are some of the most frequently asked questions when a vacation or business trip is approaching, and an individual or family decides that a pet will need to be boarded. And with summer vacation season quickly approaching, both Joy S. Brewster of Newtown’s Cassio Pet Resort & Training Center and the Connecticut BBB gladly offered some tips to select a trustworthy home-away-from-home for your pets.

Connecticut Better Business Bureau President Paulette Scarpetti says consumers should feel comfortable with a kennel’s operations before dropping off a pet.

“Pet owners should use the same caution when looking for a place to board their pets as they would when selecting any kind of service where health and safety are priorities,” Ms Scarpetti suggests.

Ms Brewster goes one step further, recommending that owners help pets transition comfortably to an extended kennel experience by boarding them for a single overnight once or twice before heading out on a longer trip.

“It’s good for the dog and the owner,” Ms Brewster said. “If the dog has never had an overnight before, it helps us get to know the dog, and if there are any issues the owner is close by and available if needed.”

Ms Brewster said that especially puppies or dogs under 1 year old should have a test night to be certain the pet will be able to acclimate to being on its own.

So how young is too young to board a puppy?

Cassio will generally accept a puppy for boarding at 4 months, or after its first round of shots is administered, Ms Brewster said. And don’t forget, it is a Connecticut law that any dog older than 6 months must have its rabies shot before being boarded.

Older dogs can also present a challenge when a kennel is in its busiest season, which Ms Brewster said, “is anytime school is out.”

“Dog boarding is tied heavily to school vacations,” she said. “So if you have an older dog, or one who is used to more peace and quiet, you should consider planning vacations and boarding when school is in session.”

“It may be more stressful on an older dog when a kennel is at near or full capacity, because there are a lot of younger dogs barking and running around,” she said.

Reiterating the advice from the BBB, Ms Brewster said visiting the potential kennel is important.

“You can tell a lot just by the way a place looks,” she said. And if there was a key question to ask?

“Anyone visiting or considering a kennel should ask if there is staff on premises 24 hours a day,” Ms Brewster concluded. At Cassio there are currently three residential kennel keepers residing full-time at the Mt Pleasant Road facility, and when school is in session Ms Brewster and her staff host tours of the facility Tuesdays through Thursdays.

Every year, BBB receives hundreds of complaints from pet owners about kennels. In 2011, BBB received more than 400 complaints nationally over billing or treatment of pets, up from the 273 complaints filed in 2010.

Consumers claimed their pets came back from boarding kennels severely dehydrated and malnourished or rife with fleas, ticks, and even maggots. Worst-case scenarios include pets that became extremely ill while boarding at substandard facilities, which resulted in lengthy stays at the animal hospital and associated costs.

If you are looking for a reliable kennel, BBB recommends:

*Check it out and get recommendations. Always check out a kennel at www.bbb.org to make sure it has a good track record for keeping customers satisfied. Also ask your friends, neighbors, veterinarians, or local animal shelters for recommendations.

*Make a visit. Personally inspect the facilities you are considering before scheduling the boarding. Check for cleanliness and odors, and note the overall safety of the kennel and cages.

*Ask lots of questions. If your pet is prone to running away, ask about steps the kennel has taken to make their facilities secure. Ask about how your pet may come in contact with other animals. Some kennels let animals play together, while others keep them separate at all times. Inquire about the feeding schedule, water accessibility and exercise. Ask about the hours for drop off and pick up and make sure you understand the facility’s billing policy terms and conditions and whether any extra fees may be imposed. Finally, ask about procedures in case of a medical emergency or other unexpected situation.

*Go with your gut. Note the friendliness of staff members and how they interact with the boarded pets. Ask about their background and experience. Make sure the facility requires that all entering pets have proof of immunization, and ask about their policies regarding flea and tick control.

For more helpful tips, visit http://ct.bbb.org/consumers. To learn more about Cassio Pet Resort, check out www.cassiopetresort.com.