Justine Lee

If you business travel a lot, you may have to kennel your dog. So how does one find the best kennel out there for your dog? The best way to pick a good kennel for your dog is to stick to one main rule: if you wouldn’t mind sleeping there, then it’s OK for your dog to sleep there. After all, 60% of Americans share their bed with their dog, right?

When picking a kennel, make sure they pass these three simple tests. First, always visit the kennel and check out the facilities. Are the cages or run conditions clean, dry, well-kept, in good lighting, and appear to be in a well-secured, safe environment? (i.e., is there an extra fence outside around the perimeter to make sure dogs can’t escape)? If you are visiting cages in a dark, damp basement or garage, look elsewhere! Does it stink like wet dog or feces when you get there? It’s likely because dogs may be soiling their kennel because they aren’t being walked frequently enough. Is water available at all times? Is there protection from the shade (if it’s an outdoor run)? When in doubt, surprise visit a kennel randomly on a weekday or weekend , so you make sure that the kennel didn’t just clean up for your appointment. Secondly, make sure it’s healthy for your dog to be there. Check to make sure that the facility has stringent rules like proof of vaccination (for distemper, parvovirus, rabies, and kennel cough). Does the kennel require that all dogs be on flea and tick preventative (after all, you don’t want to bring your dog home with a flea infestation!)? If your dog is on medications, where are the medications stored? Who’s administering them? Thirdly, make sure it’s a kennel that communicates well with you. Do they ask for all your contact numbers? Do they ask for your veterinarian’s name and number? Does the kennel have a “living will” established for you and your dog (i.e., “If X, Y, and Z happens and we can’t get in touch with you, you want to do A, B and C performed.”). Lastly, does the kennel have an emergency veterinarian and routine veterinarian that they would bring your dog too? When in doubt, go with your gut. If it’s good enough for your dog, it has to be good enough for you. If not, look elsewhere.

Tips:
1) Be well informed. Ask the kennel for references to call. Read unbiased on-line reviews about the kennel. Ask a pet-loving friend where they kennel their dog!

2) I use a house and pet-sitter that I trust and rely on. Again, ask your dog park friend’s for a reference. Most pets prefer to be in their environmental (instead of a stressful, new environment), so if you can, use a house-sitter instead!

3) If your dog runs and cowers the next time you go to the kennel – AVOID IT! Likewise, if your dog is overjoyed to run back into the kennel, he likely had great dog play time and lots of loving – that’s a good sign!