New To The Area? 4 Methods For Choosing A New Boarding Facility For Your Pet
Moving to a new area is never easy, especially when you have pets. You need to find everything for your pet, including veterinarian services and boarding facilities. The boarding facilities can be particularly difficult to find, since you'll be trusting them to care for your beloved pets while you're away. Here are four suggestions that will help you choose a safe and loving boarding facility for your pet.
Visit the Facility
Once you have a list of facilities under consideration, take the time to visit each facility—at least twice. The first visit should be scheduled so that you can arrange a complete tour of the facility. Pay close attention to the way the animals interact with the staff. For instance, do the animals move away when staff members approach? If the animals are wary, you may want to consider a different facility.
You'll also want to pay attention to the smells coming from the facility. A clean, well-kept facility shouldn't smell like fresh feces and urine. For your second visit, arrive unannounced. While you might not receive another guided tour, you will be able to conduct a second smell test. If the facility smells fresh and clean during an unscheduled visit, you know that cleanliness is a top priority.
Ask for References
While you're taking tours of your perspective boarding facilities, ask for references. These references should be from clients that are willing to talk about their experiences with the facility. Once you have a list of references, call and talk to them. Ask how their pets were cared for during their visits. If they're former clients, be sure to ask why they stopped using the facility.
Try a Practice Run
After you've narrowed your choices down to just one or two, try a practice run. Leave your pet overnight at both facilities. Take notes about your experiences with each facility. Your notes should include things like friendliness of the staff, your pet's ease with the staff, and the condition of your pet at pickup. This practice run will give you the opportunity to check things out before you leave your pet for a long-term visit.
Talk to Your Vet
If you've already located a vet in your new area, talk to them about local boarding facilities. Get a list of facilities that your vet would recommend, as well as a list of those you should avoid. Veterinarians often have first-hand experience with boarding facilities in their area.
Your pets are part of your family. If you've recently moved, use the suggestions provided here to take the worry out of finding a new boarding facility. To learn more about the services that boarding facilities offer, contact a facility like Canine Country Quarters.
