Boarding - Vet or Kennel?

[spidey]

Hi Everyone,

I'll have to board Rakki for a few days in the new year (poor me, going to New Orleans :p ), and I'm wondering what you think about vet clinics vs. boarding kennels.

(Rakki's a real "mama's boy", so I'm having to be quite firm with myself about this - I know he'll be fine but I'm worried about him, he's just starting to show some real progress with his shyness and I hope this won't be a setback.)

I'm going to go visit the boarding kennel I have in mind - it looks like the usual "indoor/outdoor" run setup, where the dogs can interact through fences if they want to. The other option is Rakki's vet, who loves him, but I don't think he'd get anywhere near as much fresh air as he would at the kennel.

Anyone have any thoughts about the pros and cons of each?

Thanks,

Amanda

[Mavides]

I'm sure it's going to depend on the actual facility...but as a general rule I don't recommend boarding at vet clinics - unless they have a separate boarding facility and separate boarding staff. When I used to work for a vet, although the boarding dogs were fed and walked twice per day, our first priorities were the sick animals...not to mention the germs that can be floating around as well. My favorite option when I go out of town is always a close friend that loves my dogs and will take care of them...or perhaps a friend, neighbor, or pet sitter to check on them in your house - are either of those options possible for you?

Check out both facilities and go with your instinct - I'm sure whatever you choose will be just fine!

[K-9Girl]

I also worked for a vet clinic that boarded animals. The clinic was very clean and had a separate room where the sick animals were kept. One of my main jobs was caring for the dogs that were staying with us. We walked the dogs three times daily. You will need to find out what your vet clinic's boarding schedule is and see if it fits your dogs needs....One thing that I really liked was that when I had to board my dogs, I knew that if anything wrong were to happen, my dog would get immediate medical care. Where ever you decide to board your dog, make sure that your dog has all that it will need (as in immunizations) to stay protected from any illnesses.

I am sure that what you decide will be great for Rakki.... :)

Sara

[MaxiesMom]

The first time I boarded Maxie, she was boarded at a kennel. It was alright.. Now whenever we board her she is boarded at her vet. The have a separate room and she gets her own run, walked 3 times a day. All the employees LOVE her and she gets tons of attention. And if something were to happen while she is there they have all her records and it is her vet that she is comfy with seeing her. She is happy there.

[chivas]

I prefer and use in home pet sitting, my sitter comes 3 times a day and stays for around 45 mins each visit. I will never board again but if i have to for whatever reason, I would board at my vets, they have a seperate section for boarding dogs and they KNOW my dogs.

[sumojeb]

If I were ever in a situation to board grizz, I would definately go to the vets

[brunie's mom]

I also have worked at different vet offices and honestly....I would not board at a vets.

The biggest problem for me is that usually the staff and everybody leaves at 6p.m. and then the dogs are alone till 7:30-8:00 a.m. the next day. This seems like such a long time to hold it.

I have had people tell me that their dogs got bladder infections while boarding at the vets....because they did not want to pee on cement...and held on for 18 hours.

Most boarding kennels have staff or the owners live there all of the time and the dogs usually get a chance to pee before bed.

Many vet offices do not have staff to be taking dogs for walks etc., especially if emergencies come in and everyone is busy.

The one vet I worked for, the usual routine was if their was time, the dogs got walked....if things were busy...then they had to pee or poop in their pens.
I think my own dog would explode before she ever went in a pen.

I would go with a dog sitting service or try to find a small boarding kennel where more attention can be given.

Gina

[spidey]

Thanks for the suggestions everyone. I also worked for a vet, and while we took good care of the boarders, they did spend most of their time in pens, which is why I was considering a kennel. However, thanks to a member here, I have a line on someone who boards in her home, so I'll be looking into that, since that seems like an even better option. Most of the pet-sitters here come in a couple of times a day, which wouldn't suit me, since Rakki would then be in his pen almost all the time, by himself.

I can't believe I'm such a baby about this, it never bothered me to board my other dogs, but I never had to board any of them as puppies.