Boarding Care Tips for You and Your Pet – Dr. Tracy’s Cat Resort

Pet sitting or in-home pet care has become a popular choice for many pet owners. You may find yourself in a situation where a pet sitter is not the answer. For example, perhaps you are having work done on the house or maybe you are preparing to move. There are many reasons why you may need to board your pet. Here are some tips to help you and your pet feel comfortable while in someone else’s care.
First, make sure your pet is current on vaccines. This is not only good preventive medicine for your pet but also for the safety of the people taking care of your pet and other pets at the facility. Vaccines are usually required. Apply a flea and tick preventive. You certainly don’t want your pet coming home with any parasites and the kennel certainly doesn’t want any unwanted guests. Ask if you can bring some of your pet’s personal belongings so they feel more at home. For dogs maybe they have a favorite toy. For cat’s it could be something that smells like you, like an old t-shirt. Just know that it can sometimes be difficult for a facility to return personal belongings. They can get lost in the multiple loads of laundry done daily, the item was soiled beyond cleaning, or it could be a safety issue. I do not recommend bringing an item that has sentimental value. To help put your mind at ease, ask to see where your pet will be. In some cases, you may need to set up a time for touring. If touring is not an option, I would find out why. While touring, make note, is the space clean? Does the space smell? Is there a play area or will someone play with or walk my pet? On the flip side, we sometimes have pets that are too nervous or shy. It’s important for the personnel to gauge your pet’s personality to make their stay more comfortable. You can also leave a note of likes and dislikes for the team taking care of pet. Find out if someone is there 24 hours a day or just during operating hours. A rambunctious pet might do better with 24-hour care or a larger space.
You may want to ask about, what if my pet has an emergency, what is the protocol? Finally, ask about liability if an accident happens. I hope this has given you some ideas of what you can do to make the boarding experience for you and your pet a great one. For cat-only accommodations, we at The Cat Doctor have a brand-new facility, call 661-259-5288 or www.drtracyscatresort.com.

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