minimum acceptable standards in boarding kennels?

DogsBody

Further to Frugalistas post about close-down times, particularly in urban areas, it's quite a balancing act between making sure the dogs are not shut in too long, and making sure they are not disturbing the neighbours with their racket. Kennels are considered 'bad neighbour developments' in planning terms, and often have very strict noise control requirements imposed on them by the licensing authority - for eg, we are not allowed to make any noise after 8pm.

Re staffing requirements, I tend to broadly agree with TGT's post - it's certainly not a job anyone should do just for the money, which is generally poor. In that respect I guess it's a little like care work - you get really good 'vocation' type people who want to do it for it's own sake, and really bad 'unemployables' who think it's easy money for nowt, and practically every type of person in between. Talk to the staff who actually do the day-to-day stuff, and trust your instincts on this one - this is important!!!:)

The very best thing I can say about our place is that the exercise area is overlooked by most of the kennels, so that the dogs who are not 'out' can at least watch whats going on and 'talk' to the staff as they pootle about out there. Makes it very noisy though, so not so good for nervous types.

Elsien, you are not wrong, webcams although starting to get more common now, are still very not! Tends to be very high end 'resort' type places or a single cam'd kennel that costs extra and may not always work. 'If I ruled the world' etc, I'd make sure to have webcams - boss won't go for it though, possibly due to being a tech dinosaur, possibly for other reasons :mad:
I've had to take a daily mobile phone video of her little dog having a good time for a small girl who was distraught at leaving him with us, given the digital tech available now I don't know why this isn't done more commonly - It's easy enough to take a minute or so of digi film when you're out with the dog anyway and bung it in an email/on a CD. It also reassures the poor owner who is convinced that her dog is going to pine/howl/not eat/savage the staff/insert other problem here, that most dogs settle to the routine pretty well after a day or two and take the odd environment in their stride

Sagz_2

OP why don't you contact the rescue centres in your area and see if any of them can reccommend a home-boarder or pet sitter? Sometimes the staff do this during their holidays to bring in a few more ££'s.

elsien

The other place to look for a dogsitter is via the vets, as companies often leave their cards there. They tend not to give recommendations (our's doesn't anyway), but the nurses did point me in the direction of someone they unofficially said was good and who might take mutt on as I was desperate by that stage.

Zaksmum - I agree with you, but I was trying to say that your expectation of the average kennel is a bit high from my personal experience. I would go on personal recommendation if you can, and also just turn up to have a look around at a time when you wouldn't expect them to be megabusy with cleaning or feeding. Or ring and ask what sort of time of day is best (give or take a couple of hours), but don't make an appointment and turn up a few days later. Kennels that insist on you only going by appointment I wouldn't touch with a bargepole.


I'm not as heartless as I sound -I still spend most of the holiday fretting and wondering if she's missing me. I just know from experience that basically she doesn't give a !!!!!!, and as long as she's fed, warm and comfy she'd settle anywhere.
When I took her to the petsitter (she'd met them once for half an hour or so) I forgot her food and meds so had to dump her and rush home to fetch them. When I got back they said she hadn't been the slightest bit concerned and had headed to the kitchen in search of food.
Faithful hound just doesn't come into it, but I'd much rather have that than a clingy pining dog.

Frugalista

There_Goes_Trouble wrote: »

Frugalista don't be like that! It's not an unreasonable request. Don't be like what? Unfortunately "tone" cannot be typed - I was genuinely asking what would be considered a reasonable cost for such a service.

I know kennels where the staff work on a rota between 7am to 10pm. Some start early and finish early, others start later and finish later and it's split over a 2 week rota including weekends. Really? Where are these kennels? Do you have the names and locations as I would be interested in looking at them. I have around 14 friends who are kennel owners and not one of them has the kennels open that late as it would disturb the dogs.

It's not rocket science. Yes of course kennel staff have lives too, but those are the hours stated when the jobs are advertised so if anyone doesn't like it they don't have to apply! As stated above, can you give me a list of these kennels as I have yet to meet any kennel owner who runs their premises with those hours.

And yes, I do think that kennels should employ enough staff to be able to give some attention to the animals in their care during the day beyond the basic cleaning out and feeding. And I asked how much per day you think it would cost and how much you would be prepared to pay?

We're talking about the animal's welfare, which includes mental and emotional welfare. I think you're being a bit silly now. We're talking about a week or so's stay in a boarding kennels not a torture camp. 99% of the dogs don't bat an eylid and really enjoy themselves. It's the owners who find it hard not the dogs.

This thread confirms to me exactly why I would never use kennels for my dog. How so?

Especially DogsBody's very enlightening post! DogsBody is but one person reporting her personal take on it. My experience appears to be slightly different - it doesn't make it any less relevant.

I know I am lucky that I have family and friends who will help me out and threads like these make me appreciate them even more! Indeed you are.

When I'm at work I spend a lot of time in with any dog that is timid or worried by the noise, etc. I always sit and have a cuddle with those who want reassurance and I always have a pocketful of biscuits to hand out for those who want to sit, shake paws, etc. I play games in the paddock with those that want to chase balls, etc. Others are taken for walks in the nearby fields.

All dogs are taken out individually and, in the time I am allocated for each dog, they have my undivided attention. I also groom them; give tablets, eye drops, etc. I also have to sweep and mop out kennels; change the water twice daily; pick up mountains of poo; scrub out, discinfect and generally prepare vacated kennels ready for the next dog; scrub plastic beds; load & unload endless washes of bedding; and deal with customers booking dogs in and collecting their dogs; the list goes on and on....

In our busy times we barely have time to grab a drink or use the loo!!! I do all this for minimum wage, working outside in snow, rain or blazing sunshine because I love dogs - as do the vast majority of people who work at/own kennels.

And then I go home and start again with my own gang!!

So, what other "services" would you want and how much would you be prepared to pay?

Frugalista

zaksmum wrote: »

frugalista - yes, I do think the dogs in kennels should have increased staffing levels...certainly enough to give more than two 20 minute walks a day, anyway. As to how much I'd be happy to pay, I'd say about a maximum of £35 for both dogs per day. That's £245 for a week which would give nearly £500 a week per 4 dogs. Surely enough to guarantee way more stimulation/interaction than the dogs are likely to get at the best of places? Fair comment.

The kennel owner I spoke to was charging £28 a day for both dogs anyway. That is quite expensive. What area is it? Ours is a bog standard kennels and we charge £10.75 per dog or £17 for two sharing (same family, obviously).

Elsien, yes, I agree that kennels are not ideal but if you HAVE to use them the dogs can live with that...but I do want to make sure I avoid the worst ones and find the best I can for my dogs.

From what you have said, I would agree that the "luxury" bit is a little questionable.

gettingready

Oh, I had no idea about kennel prices.

To have Zara at home boarding I pay £25 per day and provide her own food - letting you know just for tha balance....

DogsBody

Agree with Frugalista that the price you've been quoted is on the high side, Zaksmum - our prices are similar to F's. I'd say the main cost in boarding dogs is staff, and the more you pay, the more 'staff time' you should get.

I quite like places that have a 'basic' price where you get your 2 walks plus whatever 'general' care your dog needs, and an 'extra's' menu, where you can have an extra half hours play, a daily groom, a longer walk or whatever, for an amount £x added on - you want extra staff time, you can opt to pay for it. I haven't come across many places that do that though.

Elsien gives good advice about going to have a look - I like it when 'viewers' come with a dog in tow to have a look round, so I can see what the dog is like and they can see how I interact with him - take your vacc card with you if you're going to do this though
(The dog isn't usually allowed a tour inside, but can have a look in the exercise compound, grooming parlour and reception)

Zaksmum, I'd give your dogs my own bed for £35 a day!!!:eek:

Tropez

zaksmum wrote: »

As to how much I'd be happy to pay, I'd say about a maximum of £35 for both dogs per day.

£35 per day was about what I was paying (maybe a little less, it's hard to recall) for a live-in sitter for two dogs. If you are happy to pay up to that much then trying to locate a live-in sitter might be worthwhile.

zaksmum

DogsBody wrote: »

Agree with Frugalista that the price you've been quoted is on the high side, Zaksmum - our prices are similar to F's. I'd say the main cost in boarding dogs is staff, and the more you pay, the more 'staff time' you should get.

I quite like places that have a 'basic' price where you get your 2 walks plus whatever 'general' care your dog needs, and an 'extra's' menu, where you can have an extra half hours play, a daily groom, a longer walk or whatever, for an amount £x added on - you want extra staff time, you can opt to pay for it. I haven't come across many places that do that though.

Elsien gives good advice about going to have a look - I like it when 'viewers' come with a dog in tow to have a look round, so I can see what the dog is like and they can see how I interact with him - take your vacc card with you if you're going to do this though
(The dog isn't usually allowed a tour inside, but can have a look in the exercise compound, grooming parlour and reception)

Zaksmum, I'd give your dogs my own bed for £35 a day!!!:eek:

Thanks Dogsbody! I'd take you up on the offer of your own bed for my dogs for £35 a day!!:rotfl:

That would be the maximum though. But most places are asking close enough to that anyway. Usually I'm being quoted about £18 a day for one dog, then a grudging knocking off of a fiver or so for the two dogs sharing. The cheapest I've been offered is about £14 per dog per day with no 2nd dog discount.

So I'm getting a budgie next time....:mad:

Sagz, thanks for the suggestion about asking rescue centres etc. for good dog boarders. I'll try that tomorrow.

misterbisto

I think the best kennel is one recommended by someone else. We went on holiday for 2 weeks, never leaving our dog before. It was on a working farm at 10am they are allowed in the paddock to run round for an hour and then again for another hour at 4.30pm. Most other places we visited took then out for 20mins which just isnt enough. When we went to collect him at 10am on our return he went mad when he saw us, greeting us, tail wagging then he realised all his friends where off to the paddock and off he went...