As we have another holiday season upon us, it means, travel season is here! Before we leave our furry buddies at a boarder’s, reading this blog may help you prepare you for this separation.
Without spending much time on this, let us acknowledge that a boarder is going to be your pet’s new family while you are traveling. So this means,
- Your pet needs to be comfortable being there: Always make sure your pet has had a few social visits at the boarder’s. This is especially important if you have a pet that is slightly timid, nervous or unsocialized with people or other animals. Start leaving the pet for an hour or so and slowly add more time to the stay, eventually having an overnight stay at the boarder’s. If the setup does not suit your pet, this gives you enough time to figure out alternate options for your pet. Remember, every responsible boarder should be open to this option; if they aren’t, then it is not worth boarding the dog there. It needs to be said that the boarder should also be open to your random drop-ins while you are experimenting with the stay; it helps to know if they keep up with all that they promise to do with the dog
- Ensure the dog boarder is certified i.e understands canine behaviour, CPR & first aid, understands dog body language to prevent any untoward incidents in the boarding space (Anvis has a pet boarder certification course, if you'd want to learn more about what a good boarder needs to know)
- Make sure the dog’s vaccinations are upto date as are the flea+tick medications. No matter how hygienic the boarding location, it is always good to be safe with these medications. Generally boarders will ask for the flea/tick medications to be applied <15 days before stay or within 6 months (if oral tablets).
- Make sure you have planned buying food or arranging adequate food at the boarder’s. If your dog is not accustomed to a kind of food, do not expect them to gulp it down at the boarder’s. Pack a few days extra meals, just in case of emergencies
- Keep the boarding bag ready: To ensure your pup will have a good stay, keep these things handy in the drop off bag - the dog’s favorite toys, its bed, water & food bowls (if needed), veterinarian information, medicines (if needed), vaccination record copy, collar, leash, pee pads (if needed), poop bags, a copy of the emergency contact info in the bag.
- Ensure that the boarder sends regular videos, photos & updates on the meals
- Once the dog’s stay has been completed, make sure that the dog looks physically OK, ensure no fleas/ticks are spotted, but if they are, then remember to give your dog a bath once back home.
Safe travels!