Frontline Pet Medicine

I was study the Frontline pet medicine journal and came across this article about dog kennels and boarding facilities. The Frontline pet medicine journal always has informative articles that are well thought out and explained. What I thought was interesting about this particular article was the responsibility they placed on pet owners rather than the kennel. They said that you should make an appointment to visit the kennel well in advance of your scheduled holiday. The kennel should look and smell neat and clean. There should be a strict schedule of disinfecting with effective chemicals. As part of their disease control program, some kennel operators do not permit visitors in areas where animals are housed. However, kennels with a "No Visitors" policy should provide you some type of viewing window, so that you can see where your pet will be staying. You should be sure and check that areas where your pet will stay are free of sharp objects, harmful chemicals, and objects your pet might swallow. Sleeping quarters should provide solid dividers between your pet and the other boarders. Exercise areas should include barriers between runs high enough to prevent male dogs from urinating into adjacent runs. Surfaces should offer good traction even when wet. Firefighting equipment should be readily available. Good and effective management is really the key to good boarding. Someone who is trained to recognize the signs of illness and distress should check pets frequently during the day. Many pet owners find it convenient to schedule grooming, bathing, or training for their pets while they are in the kennel for boarding. Ask if such services are available. If you are in the process of moving, the kennel may even be able to take care of shipping your pet. Such a service can save you time and trouble, and helps guarantee the well-being of your pet.