Things you should know
Understandably, leaving your pet for any length of time in someone elses care can be worrying. So you will want to make sure that you make the right decision on where to board your pet to ensure your own and your pets happiness, and safety.
Licencing.
In the UK, boarding establishments including kennels, catteries and home boarding have to be licensed by the local Council and the license must be on display. To maintain this license, boarding establishments are inspected once a year and a
veterinary inspection may also be required. Licensed establishments have to
comply with regulations relating to accommodation size, hygiene, feeding and
general standards of care. However, this license relates only to a minimum standard of care. It should not be
used as the only reason on which to select a
kennel.
ABOVE: a copy of Chart Sutton Kennels Licence as an example.
veterinary inspection may also be required. Licensed establishments have to
comply with regulations relating to accommodation size, hygiene, feeding and
general standards of care. However, this license relates only to a minimum standard of care. It should not be
used as the only reason on which to select a
kennel.
ABOVE: a copy of Chart Sutton Kennels Licence as an example.
Insurance and Liability.
All persons involved in the running of boarding establishments must have the appropriate level of insurance and public liability cover to protect the interests of the pets and owners alike.
The establishment should also provide insurance for your pet in case of medical emergency while boarding but this is unfortunately not a statutory requirement. Please be aware not all boarding establishments will cover this expense.
The establishment should also provide insurance for your pet in case of medical emergency while boarding but this is unfortunately not a statutory requirement. Please be aware not all boarding establishments will cover this expense.
Visiting the establishment before booking.
All good boarding establishments encourage visits from prospective clients and will invite them to visit within open hours at a time of their convenience. This allows you to meet the staff who will be caring for your pet and discuss your pets requirements. It also allows you see for yourself the standards of care and welfare. It is a good idea to find out the open hours of different establishments and turn up unannounced to be shown around. Visit two or three before you make a decision.
Staffing.
Ask lots of questions. The staff should be happy to answer them and it is a good sign if they ask questions about your pet's particular requirements. One of the most important factors in providing a happy stay for a pet is the staffs relationship with the pets under their care. Observe how they interact with the pets already in their care.
The staff should be friendly, knowledgeable, confident and reassuring.
The staff should be friendly, knowledgeable, confident and reassuring.
Vaccinations, and disease control.
There is always increased risk of infectious disease when numbers of animals are kept together in close proximity. The risk is minimised by ensuring that your pet is up-to-date with routine vaccinations and that your pet is healthy on entering kennels. Good kennels will enforce strict vaccination requirements and will require evidence of an up-to-date vaccination card. Usually, all residents must be vaccinated against all the common and serious preventable diseases. For dogs; distemper, parvo virus, infectious hepatitis, paro influenza and leptospirosis.
Kennel cough is also required in good boarding establishments. For cats; feline enteritis, feline Chlamydia, feline influenza, feline leukaemia.
All establishments will be registered with a local veterinary practice in case dogs become unwell whilst boarding.
Kennel cough is also required in good boarding establishments. For cats; feline enteritis, feline Chlamydia, feline influenza, feline leukaemia.
All establishments will be registered with a local veterinary practice in case dogs become unwell whilst boarding.
