As much
as pet owners may want to take their furry or feathered friends with them
wherever they go, sometimes you can’t take them with you and finding a kennel
or pet care service you can trust is paramount. That’s why Better Business
Bureau has created a checklist to help pet owners choose a safe and reliable
home-away-from-home for their pets.
Every year, BBB receives hundreds of complaints from pet owners
about kennels. To date, in 2011, BBB
has received more than 400 complaints arguing disputes over billing, and over
the treatment of the pet – which is up from the 273 complaints filed in
2010. Owners say their pets came back from poor boarding kennels severely
dehydrated and malnourished or rife with fleas, ticks, and even maggots.
Worst-case scenarios include pets that became extremely ill while boarding at
poor facilities which resulted in lengthy stays at the animal hospital.
“Our pets are like family
and the last thing we want to do is stress over their care during the holiday
season,” said Christy Page, interim CEO of the Better Business Bureau serving Ashland, Medina, Portage, Richland, Summit & Wayne Counties. “Take a few moments to do your research and find a kennel you can
trust so your time out of town will be easier for you and your pet.”
If you are looking for a
reliable kennel, BBB recommends the
following checklist:
Check them out and get recommendations. Always check out the kennel with BBB at www.bbb.org
first to make sure they have a good track record for keeping customers
satisfied. Also ask your friends, neighbors, veterinarian or local animal
shelters for recommendations.
Make a visit. Personally visit the facilities you are considering before scheduling
the boarding. Check for cleanliness and offensive odors, and note the overall
safety of the kennel and cages.
Ask lots of questions. If your pet is prone to running away, ask about steps the
kennel has taken to make their facilities escape-proof. Ask about how your pet
may come in contact with other animals. Some kennels let animals play together
while others keep them separate at all times. Ask about the feeding schedule,
water accessibility and frequency of – or fees related to – exercise. Ask about
the hours for drop off and pick up and make sure you understand their billing
policy. Finally, ask what happens in case of a medical emergency or other
unexpected situation.
Go with your gut. Note the friendliness of staff members and how they interact with the
boarded pets. Ask about their background and experience. If your state requires
inspections, look for the certificate on the wall and make sure the kennel is
properly licensed. Make sure the facility requires that all entering pets have
proof of immunization, and ask about their policies regarding flea and tick
control.
For more advice on
finding reputable businesses around the holidays, visit us online at www.bbb.org/us/consumer-tips-holiday.
