I hate leaving my sweet little dog home when I go away. Sometimes though, it’s just unavoidable. Still, it’s really hard for me, I always wonder if she’s going crazy when we’re not around. When we first got our new dog, who by the way is named Noreen, we knew this would be a challenge and spent a good deal of time sourcing the right doggie home for her during our travels. I spent a whole day wondering the best method of how to choose a boarding kennel. I came up with a checklist and managed to find our away from home-home for Noreen.
Checklist to Choose a Boarding Kennel
- Does the owner have a lot of experience working with dogs
- Is there a lot of room to play outside
- Where will my sweetie sleep when I’m away – comfy and cozy is important
- Is the facility clean
- Do they offer grooming
- How long have then been in business
- Are they nearby
- What is the cost
I managed to check off all these things and chose the best boarding kennel for Noreen, I am sure of it. Dog Stars of Bradenton, Florida was a win for us. The owner there, Anna, is AKC grooming certified and has years and years of experience with dogs. Her facility checked all the things on my list and only runs us $20 / a day which is amazing! She also only charges $20 to groom Noreen which is awesome. I always feel good about leaving Noreen there and I’m pretty sure Noreen does too.
Before you bring your dog to a boarding kennel, here are some things you want to pack for him / her:
- Comfy familiar bed
- Comfy familiar blanket
- A couple toys they love
- Their food *very important
- Their vet info
- Any medicine they are on
- Make sure they are up to date on all their vaccinations