Before booking a stay at a kennel, consider other options: taking Fluffy with you; leaving them with a friend or having someone sleep over; or hiring a sitter.
If you use a kennel, our ratings by other pet owners will help you find a top-notch one. Several kennels received “superior” ratings overall from almost all of their surveyed customers. Others didn’t wow clients.
Our Ratings Tables also show large price differences. To board a medium-size dog for one week, for example, prices range from less than $300 to more than $500. And at some kennels, extras add up fast: Administering a pill might cost $8 or more per day; arranging for extra attention or exercise could run $15 or more a day. Also, some kennels’ extremely limited drop-off and pickup periods make it difficult to avoid shelling out for an extra day.
It can all take a substantial bite out of your vacation budget. Fortunately, several higher-rated kennels charge below-average prices.
Carefully check out any kennel you are considering:
- Be wary of kennels that won’t let you tour their facilities, including where animals are kept.
- Check whether indoor and outdoor areas for dogs are secure, large enough, and provide protection from the elements.
- How do staff make sure pets are good fits for their facility? Do they require a trial stay? What do they do about animals that don’t get along with others?
- Make sure the kennel has proper health protections. Is it clean and not excessively smelly? Will all admitted pets have proof of proper vaccinations? Are animals checked for diseases or parasites at check-in?
- Do staff answer your questions? Do they show the animals affection? Are they available at all hours?
- Determine when the kennel is open for drop-off and pickup. A common complaint is that facilities don’t have convenient hours, particularly on weekends.
- Get in advance a written statement of costs, including any extras.
