When you want to take a vacation, need to go on a business trip or attend to family business or a health emergency, you may be looking for pet boarding services in Sykesville and will, of course, want one that provides excellent pet care.

How do you select a competent and reliable boarding kennel to which you can entrust your beloved companion? The selection process can be daunting. Since a boarding kennel will be your pet’s temporary home while you are away, you need to be sure that your pet is safe, secure and happy, and you’ll want to check on all the boarding services that are available. It is important to be sure that lodging is comfortable and to understand how the daily feeding and exercise times are handled.

While it is fairly easy to find boarding accommodations for dogs and cats, you may have a more unusual pet and need a boarding facility that accommodates rabbits, ferrets, guinea pigs, gerbils, hamsters, rats, mice, birds or snakes, which may be a little more difficult to find.

Have a list of questions ready before you start your selection process, and when you have narrowed down your search, ask for a tour so that you can see for yourself that the little boarders are happy and comfortable. A boarding kennel that is part of a veterinarian clinic or hospital is a comforting choice because it ensures that, in an emergency, help is right there when your pet needs it.

Comfortable Lodging and Good Food are Basic

Kennels vary in the packages they offer and in the species they welcome, so here is a guide to help you check out the information you need to make a good decision:

Make sure the facility understands the type of boarding service you need for your pet.
Facilities usually provide overnight or day boarding options, although some offer long-term boarding to families who are having their homes renovated or military personnel going on tour.
Standard lodging should include spacious quarters, room, or cage with comfortable bedding for your pet.
Check on the ventilation, heating and air-conditioning systems.
Small and large dogs should be in separate quarters and cats in a quiet section far from the dogs.
Find out if you can bring your pet’s favorite blanket and/or toys to help him adjust to his new environment.
Your pet will be provided with ample food and water, and you should make sure your pet’s regular food is available or will be ordered for your pet, or a reasonable substitute will be available.
If your pet has dietary restrictions, make sure they are understood. Some facilities can prepare special meals or prescription diets, and some may even try to replicate your pet’s regular diet.
If the boarding facility can’t provide a special diet needed by your pet, make sure you can provide the food yourself. If so, pack the food in separate baggies with one for each meal and each snack.

Physical Activity and Playtime is Essential

The second major concern about which you should inquire is the kind of physical activity that will be provided for your pet, and how often.

There should be play areas for every pet, inside the cage for some, outside for others. A good boarding kennel will assign staff members to walk your dog daily, although there may be an extra charge for this service.

Some boarding facilities will support a pet’s need for positive interaction and stimulation via playtime with a staff member. As well, for dogs, there may be group play session with dogs of the same size. Cats are not social animals, but there may be play areas where cats can climb and jump.

If, for health reasons, your pet’s physical activity should be closely monitored, make sure the boarding kennel will do that.

There may also be bathing, grooming and spa options for your beloved pet, but what matters most is that the pet boarding services you choose will keep your pet safe, comfortable, happy and healthy.

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