Pet Boarding Services
When we plan to go away on holiday, the question arises of what to do with our dog while we’re gone. Whilst no one wants to leave their dog behind, the fact is there are few holiday destinations that welcome dogs, and if you want to take your dog with you somewhere, you’re limited to holidaying locally.
So, dog boarding is required, which is not a bad thing. Many dogs get a lot out of the experience of being in a new environment, with new people, dogs and play areas to discover. You can relax when you go on holiday, especially if you’re checking your dog into a professional dog boarding facility, as they will be getting a holiday too!
You just need to ensure you’re leaving your dog in safe and experienced hands, and that the service you choose is appropriate, given your dog’s age and personality.
In this article we’ll have a look at the options available when it comes to leaving your dog in the care of others. We’ll then look at how to choose the right pet boarding service, and what you need to consider given your dog’s age.
Varieties of Pet Boarding Services
In-Home pet boarding
This is where you take your dog to a pet carer’s home to be looked after. This can be a good option if you know the carer well or have received personal recommendations. And it may suit dogs that don’t socialise well with others, or have complicated medical needs.
On the downside of in-home dog care, there can be questionable operators out there, who aren’t properly trained in caring for dogs or have questionable accommodation for your dog. In some cases, there’s little room to play in, and no guarantee of constant supervision, or that they are taking your dog for regular walks.
Note that in-home pet boarding services have limitations on the number of dog guests at a time (often a maximum of two). Also be certain to ask to inspect their home and dog facilities before you consider leaving your dog with them. (See our section on What to look for in a pet boarding service further along in this article)
Dogsitting
Dog sitting isn’t pet boarding as such, because a dog minder comes to your home to look after your dog, in a setting your dog is familiar with. Dogsitters may live with your pet while you’re gone, or instead visit multiple times a day to feed your dog and take your dog for walks.
Obviously, dogs don’t like to be left alone for long, so dog minding services that offer drop-in visits may not be the ideal solution when you need to find care for your pet. Also, you need to be certain you can trust this person in your home, and that they’re experienced in providing dogs with the right care.
Pet boarding kennels
Pet boarding kennels are set up for the proper care of pets, and are required to adhere to industry codes of practice. Legitimate pet boarding services will include properly-fenced off grounds so that dogs are secure at all times; comfortable sleeping quarters with plenty of space and no overcrowding; shaded outdoor areas for dogs to rest; and plenty of room for dogs to run around outdoors. Importantly, pet boarding kennels should provide 24/7 supervision for your dog, so that at no time is your pet left unattended.
Quality pet boarding kennels are staffed by people who are trained to care for dogs, and who love dogs. This is important if you are going away, as you want your dog to receive not only food and exercise, but also attention and affection. It’s also important that pet boarding centres are attuned to your dog’s health, and provide daily health checks for dog guests.
Pet boarding kennels usually offer both short and long-term stays for dogs. The quality centres will often book out quickly for holiday periods, so it’s important to reserve a spot in advance.
Some of these kennels also offer day boarding for dogs, which can be convenient for those who just need somewhere to keep their dog while they’re at work.
Pet boarding kennels – What’s the difference between short and long-term stays?
The conditions at a pet boarding facility should ideally be the same, no matter the length of your dog’s stay. So whether it’s an overnight stay or a month-long stay, your pet should be offered exercise at least twice per day, be given the opportunity to roam and explore the grounds at the facility, and have consistency when it comes to feeding and rest times. They should also have 24/7 supervision by staff, to ensure they’re comfortable, content, and healthy.
If your dog is staying at a pet boarding facility for a longer period of time, they will meet a range of different dogs, and these dog guests will chop and change during the stay. They may also change sleeping quarters, or their room buddy may change along the way.
Some dog minding kennels offer the option of private quarters for dogs, at an additional cost. This may suit dogs having a longer stay, as things stay settled for them. On the other hand, some dogs like a bit of change and more variety, and don’t mind it when their roommates change over, in which case standard shared quarters are fine.
What to look for in a pet boarding service
Regulations apply when it comes to offering pet boarding services, whether it be day boarding or overnight boarding facilities. When considering a pet boarding service, look for providers that adhere to the Victorian Code of Practice for the Operation of Boarding Establishments. There are a lot of criteria pet boarding providers must meet in order to legally operate their service. You can read through the Code of Practice yourself, but some key requirements include:
- Facilities must be hygienic
- Dogs must meet vaccination requirements before they are permitted to stay
- The facility owner must be appropriately trained in animal care, and must employ well-trained staff
- The boarding facility must have a written agreement with a veterinarian to be on call for the treatment of animals
- Dogs must have a permanent supply of clean, fresh water from a non-spillable container
- Kennels must be locked to prevent unauthorised entry, and boundary fencing must be sufficient to contain dogs
- Dogs must receive daily exercise
- Dogs must be kept in appropriate-sized pens, with sufficient space to move
- Proper records of all dog guests should be kept on the facility
- Dogs should have 24/7 care
Any dog boarding facility you consider should meet these minimum requirements. Don’t be afraid to inspect facilities and ask plenty of questions before you leave your dog in their care.
Pet Boarding for Different Life Stages
Puppy Boarding
Putting a puppy into a pet boarding facility can feel scary for some pet owners, who aren’t sure how their young dog will take to this big and new experience. Whilst puppies are usually very attached to their owners and can be a little challenged when staying away from their family, they also receive some great benefits from a dog boarding stay.
Staying at a dog boarding facility is usually a puppy’s first experience being away from their owner. It can be stimulating for a puppy to be around new people and a range of different dogs, and can be a great way to get a puppy socialised. Initially it can be overwhelming, which is why it’s important you choose a pet boarding service that provides 24/7 supervision of your puppy, so that they never feel lonely. They also need a service that provides them ample opportunity to run around and burn off that puppy energy, plus opportunities for quiet rest so that they can recharge. Most importantly, they need a service where they receive daily cuddles and reassurance from staff.
Puppies must have received their C5 level vaccinations, (usually administered at 10-12 weeks) before they can be booked into a pet boarding facility. This protects them from a range of viruses that they may encounter when socialising with other dogs. (Whilst other dogs staying at the facility will also be vaccinated, they can still carry bugs.
When considering a stay for your puppy at a dog boarding facility, it’s ideal if they are familiar with their surroundings before they stay overnight. If you can, book them in for a day visit or two before you head away on holiday, so that they can become comfortable with the staff. This way, when you’re away, it’s not such a big change for them.
You usually don’t need to bring bedding or dog toys for your dog’s stay (Dogdayz doesn’t require it) however in winter, you may wish to send your puppy along with a body jacket to keep them warm during outdoor activities.
Senior Pet Boarding
Older dogs often require a little extra care when they stay at a dog boarding facility. They may need to take special medications, and require quiet and comfortable accommodation. Soft bedding is essential, as are regular checks to monitor their health during their stay.
If your dog is particularly elderly, you may wish to discuss with the pet boarding service a plan for if your dog becomes gravely ill while you are away.
Pet Boarding with Dogdayz Country Clubs
Located in Melbourne’s Western, Eastern, Northern and North-Western suburbs, Dogdayz pet boarding kennels are accessible by car to most Melbourne pet owners. We provide secure and comfortable accommodation for dogs for a day, a night or for multiple nights. Contact us to book a stay for your dog or to discuss our pricing. We’re happy to answer any questions you may have, and you are more than welcome to inspect our facilities—just book in a time and we’ll show you around.
We also offer pet transport. Click here to find out more.
Read more about our Dog Care Community and what our clients think of our service.
