Kennels.............what to do??

LoopyLinz

Hi All

We are planning a weekend away in June and after a lot of thought we have decided that Muttley will need to go to Kennels while we are away. We have literally exhausted every other option.

Now heres where I am confused. We have been recommended some kennels near us but Im not too sure what the process is. Obviously I will want to see them and make sure they are ok but how do I go about this? Should I phone ahead and make an appointment or just turn up? Are there specific things I should be asking or looking out for?

Muttley is a rescue dog, hes a little terrier cross and is 5. We have no idea about his history, so dont know if he has been in kennels before.

Sorry this is a bit of a ramble, am actually dreading leaving him

Thanks
Lindsey

paddypaws101

Have you considered the alternative of a pet sitter? There are some agencies that will provide sitters for a fee such as Animal Aunties, or others that do not charge such as www.housecarers.com
Other resources could be your local vet nursing staff who might be able to dog/house sit for a reasonable fee
I know some animals like the kennel experience...but others really do not, and it would be worth getting a system in place so that you can plan holidays and weekends away over the coming years.

elsien

Phone them up for a chat and more details, but I personally would not be happy taking my dog to a kennels which you could only see by appointment - I'd wonder what they were hiding. They may ask you to avoid certain times if they're really busy which is fair enough, but otherwise I'd prefer to call in "if I was passing."
What do you need to ask?
Walks - how many a day, how long for, how many dogs at a time? Some only let the dogs into a compound rather than taking for a proper walk.
Food - do they provide, what happens if the dog doesn't like it or it doesn't suit them.
How often do they get clean water. (should have access all the time)
Heat - what are the arrangements for if it gets cold and is there an extra charge.
What are you allowed to take in in the way of comfort items for the dog - bedding, toys etc (my kennels won't let you take your own basket in any more as too many were going astray.)
What happens in an emergency re vet cover etc.
Can you see their insurance and public liability certificates? And staff training ones if they have them.
Medication - if your dog needs it, are they able to give it at the specified times or will it have to fit in with their routines, and do they charge extra for this?
What extras do they charge - some kennels have a basic rate and pile on the charges for extras, other charge more but its "all in."
Pick up and drop off times - my kennels doesn't charge for the day if you collect before 9.30 am.
All the usual hygiene questions re cleaning and washing bedding.
Do they want to see vaccination certificates (they should!) and check that you get the kennel cough done in time as it takes a week or so to take effect.
If your dogs not been before, ask them what they would do if he became distressed.

That's it off the top of my head. Probably more so I'll come back if I think of anything.
If it makes you happier, mutt is a rescue dog and loves kennels - she's been known to try to get out of the car to go back in.

bugbabe1970

Where do you live? Ill have him!

LoopyLinz

Wow thank you all so much for your replies! You have definately given me a few more things to think about!

PaddyPaws - I hadnt thought of a pet sitter, will definately look into this one.

Elsien - Thank you for all that info! Has definately made me think about what I will ned to find out. I had assumed he would be allowed to take his own little comforters with him but obviously this may not be the case.

Bugbabe - we are in NI so not sure that one would work! Lol!:rotfl:

Again thank you all for our help and advice. Was seriously considering not going (which I know is probably silly)

Thanks
Linz xox

toniq

Hi Loopylinz,

My dog topsy ( a chiuahuah/poodle x yorkie) goes into kennels when we go on our hols and have days out, his is in sussex a bit far from u, but he has an ok time, i always ring and check on him daily, generally he is okay first day then pines second then settles for the week we are gone, his kennels allow a few toys but know beds as they provide a plastic dog bed,
His don't walk them but have a hatch at the back of his room that they open pretty much all day in the summer so the dogs can wonder up to the fence,
I did fret the first time he was there, but he was fine and i felt he was in safe hands.

I had to take vets card and insurance details with me, infact everytime they want to see them,
He also has to be uptodate on boosters and have had kennel cough at least 2 weeks before they take him.
He is a bit manic when i pick him up but soon settles, I did review alot of kennels before deciding on this one, he had a sleep over at this one so they could see how he would be.

They provide his food and i leave his denta chews which they give him.

His kennels are £11 per day, that includes his food costs, he is bathed every 4th day and that is included.

It is a hard decision, i think i fretted more than him.

good luck xxx

elsien

Toniq's made me think of something else as well - mutt always reeks to high heaven when she comes back from kennels, so much so that I complained at one point. (They don't do baths as part of the deal in the place I go to.)

I've also called in on them since then when they weren't expecting me and insisted on looking round the kennels which were well looked after and clean, but mutt still reeks after she's been there.
I've decided that given she's happy there and I can't see that they're doing anything they shouldn't be, it's one of those things to put up with. I think they may possibly dry the bedding somewhere where it's picking up stabley type smells (they do livery as well) as the kennels have recently been fully refurbished.
So be prepared for the dog to need a bit of a clean when he comes back.
And a weekend away is quite a good start - not too long for either of you to fret.
If it's a bank holiday weekend you may need to get in early if it's a good popular kennel.

LoopyLinz

Again thank you all so much for your tips and advice.

Im trying to think of it as a little holiday for him.............ok Im actually just trying to convince myself that he wont hate me!

I have been looking online today at various places in our area and think I am going to arrange to visit them before making my mind up. Ideally I think I would like somewere he can take a few of his own bits and pieces to.

The other thing I am slightly worried about is his food, he has a sensitive wee tummy bless him. He is currently fed a mix of a litte wet food mixed in with his dry (prob around 10% wet and 90% dry) Do you think I would be able to pre-mix his food and give it to them? Too much wet tends to........run through him shall we say and completely dry makes him constipated.

Thanks
Linz

sandy71

Most kennels have set opening times, people do need to go out;) The one we take our dog too take the dogs for massive walks at certain times so you can't visit at those times.
Always try and go for recomendation, it will make you feel better knowing others have had a good experience. You could try asking at your vets too, they usually have a list of the good ones.
I have heard of some kennels that have webcams so you can check on your pet when you are away.:rotfl:

Edit to say, any reputable kennels will feed them as the owner wants, might be an idea to write it down for them.

MrsTinks

I'd seriously speak to your vets and ask if they can recommend one of the kennels or if one of their nurses wants to make a little extra dog sitting for a week My 2 cats ended up with one of the vet nurses when I was working abroad for 3 months - I had somewhere lined up for them (friend) when one of them was hit by a car and needed a lot of medical care. I was set to cancel my assignment etc when on the off chance I asked the vet... it just happened that one of the nurses had recently lost her dog and wasn't ready to have another pet yet but was happy to take in my 2 pests for 3 months She cared for him better than I could have done!
Whilst I brought back presents every time she refused to let me pay for her having them although I would have!

beachbeth

MrsTine wrote: »

was happy to take in my 2 pests for 3 months She cared for him better than I could have done!

Is this a typing error or a description of their behaviour?:rotfl: