For pet owners, it can be stressful to leave our animals behind, whether traveling for business or pleasure. Even if you’re lucky enough to have a friend or relative willing to watch Fido, it’s hard not to worry about what could go wrong. That concern is elevated when you’re leaving your precious pet with someone unknown at a pet facility. “When you leave your dog at a boarding facility, their life is in someone else’s hands,” said Victoria Schade, a contributor for Covetrus Great Pet Care.
Shade noted that 23% of Americans prefer to vacation during the winter, underscoring the importance of finding a safe, affordable, and trustworthy boarding facility for your pet. As an experienced dog trainer, pet book author, and petcare professional, she provided some advice for finding the right fit for your four-legged friends. Here are three of her tips.
Ask if your dog is suited for boarding at a pet hotel or daycare. “It’s critical to do thorough research, find the right facility for your individual dog, and prepare your pooch adequately for their new situation,” she said. If your dog doesn’t like playing with other dogs or gets defensive, a group play option may not be best. But if your dog is very social and doesn’t like being left alone, a facility with overly long rest and reset breaks may not work well.
Visit the facility before you commit. And before you schedule a tour, make sure to go online and create your shortlist based on whether you see what looks like a clean and safe environment, engaging activities, and positive reviews
Don’t be afraid to ask questions. Schade advises to ask what the dog-to-staff ratio is during the day. A good dog-to-staff ratio is 10:1 and no more than 15:1. Ask about staff expertise, health requirements, and what the location’s incident assessment procedure is.
See more details and more of Schade’s suggestions at: https://www.algvtravelblogue.com/posts/pet-boarding.
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