5 Red Flags To Watch For When Boarding Your Dog

Topic: Kennels

Filed under Dogs

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There are very few professionally run kennels that are not going to strive to provide your dog the safest, most positive and stress free stay while at the kennel. Unfortunately, just like in any business, there are those individuals that open a kennel not for the love of dogs but rather to make a quick buck. These kennel owners typically don't stay in business for long, but is it important to known what to look for when choosing a kennel to avoid these types of facilities.

In most cases people that end up picking a kennel based on research, checking on references and getting referrals from their vet, groomers or breeders are going to do very well in choosing a professionally run facility. Some times emergency situations arise where you don't have the luxury of time to research or look around. In addition many first time kenneling dog owners may not realize that there are different levels of kennels and simply assume that anyone operating as a kennel must be following a set of industry rules or guidelines.

No License

In reality there are a great many small, privately owned kennels that have not been inspected or that have let their inspection expire. They still may be licensed as a business, but to get a business license you don't have to have any type of inspection, depending on how you describe the business. In some countries such as the United Kingdom there are very strict licensing laws as to all aspects of the kennel. The United States offers licenses to kennels through the Department of Agriculture, which does give general guidelines that must be followed. If the dog kennel does not have the license from the Department of Agriculture prominently posted and available this should be a big red flag to a perspective boarder.

Different states in the United States and even different counties may have additional regulations for dog kennels over and above the federal Department of Agriculture rules. Remember that a kennel that is unlicensed can still continue to operate until someone complains so don't assume because they are open and advertising they have to be fully inspected and licensed.

Refusal To View The Facilities

Dropping your dog off to someone else's care is going to be somewhat stressful for owners even if they are highly familiar with the kennel. It is therefore completely irresponsible for a kennel owner to refuse to allow the dog owner to take a tour through the facility prior to dropping the dog off.

Sometimes disreputable kennels will use excuses such as:

Visitors disrupt the dogs to much

It is too much of a liability to have people in the kennel area

People spread germs when they walk in the kennel

Due to privacy issues we can't allow visitors

These are all just smoke screens to hide overcrowding, unclean conditions and poor overall care of the dogs. A good kennel will welcome visitors, require them to clean their feet and hands with disinfectant solution before entering the kennel area and refrain from touching any of the dogs. They don't attempt to hide their facilities or restrict the owners from visiting and viewing.

It is always best to call ahead or let them know you want a tour when you are dropping off your dog so the kennel staff can be available to take you through. You will not be allowed in the kennel by yourself, but this is completely reasonable and very practical.

Always Getting An Answering Machine

If every time you call you get an answering machine or don't have your call returned for hours the kennel is simply understaffed. An understaffed kennel means feeding schedules aren't met, dogs are typically not exercised as promised and sanitation in the kennel may be sorely lacking. Since these are all concerns for the short and long term health of your dog avoid kennels where you spend more time with the answering machine than talking to a human.

Dirty or Poorly Maintained Appearance

The outside, street view of the kennel may or may not be an indication of the inside. However a clean, neat and well maintained outside is more likely to mean a clean, neat and well maintained inside. A dirty, poorly kept exterior or office is likely to mean poor organization and maintenance inside. If a dirty exterior is coupled with a refusal to view the kennels or always getting an answering machine you need to immediately find a new kennel.

Avoiding Providing References

Any well run, professional kennel will be more than happy to provide you with a few names of clients that can talk about the high level of service their dog or dogs received at the kennel. If the kennel is just new they may not have a list of clients but they will have vets, groomers or trainers that can vouch for the owners and their services.

Some disreputable kennels may provide a list of references that are all out of service numbers or random number picked from the phone book. This is because they are counting on the fact that you won't actually check in with anyone if they provide a list.

If, for any reason, you see any other red flags or feel uncomfortable or uneasy with the staff or the facility be sure to follow up with the references provide. You may also want to check with the Better Business Bureau in your area and ask your vet, groomer or a breeder in your area if they have heard any positives or negatives on the kennel you are considering.

The more checking that you do in advance the better your chances of finding a terrific match for your dog. Some kennels now offer the option of webcams or web viewing of your pet in the kennel, which can be accessed no matter where you are as long as you have the internet and a computer. Typically this is an extra fee, but it really can help you enjoy your vacation or trip and check in on your pet whenever you feel the urge.

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