As much as pet owners may want to take their furry or feathered friends with them wherever they go, sometimes finding a kennel or pet care service you can trust is necessary for holiday travel. That's why the Better Business Bureau of Minnesota and North Dakota (BBB) created a checklist to help pet owners choose a safe and reliable home-away-from-home for their pets.
Every year, the BBB receives hundreds of complaints from pet owners about kennels. To date, this year the BBB received more than 400 complaints regarding disputes over billing, and treatment of pets - which is up from the 273 complaints filed in 2010. Some owners claimed to arrive at kennels to retrieve pets that were 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 an animal hospital.
"Pets are often like family and the last thing we want to do is stress over their care during the holiday season," said Dana Badgerow, BBB President and CEO. "Take a few moments to do your research and find a kennel you can trust so your time out of town will be more enjoyable for you and your pet."
If you are looking for a reliable kennel, the BBB recommends the following checklist:
Check them out and get recommendations. Always check out the kennel with the 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 appearance 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. Inquire if your pet will 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. Also, 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.
Trust your instincts. 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.
