i am thinking on going on holiday next year as i have had 2 brain operations within a year it has left me partially disabled and need a much deserved holiday,i have no one to look after my 2 dogs due to my family having medical problems,disability problems asthma,work etc.i want to know what is the best place for my 2 dogs and how do they treat the animals do they get kept in a kennel 24/7 etc,i am stressed out as it is at what i have been through and i am having second thoughts wether i should go or not as i dont want my 2 dogs to be mistreated,stolen or lost,i have been through a lot in the last 2 years and really deserve a holiday i am lucky to be alive.please help me do whats best for my dogs.
i live in the uk
10 Responses
2008 Oct 07
Where do you live?
2008 Oct 08
This is a tough one and requires lots of homework and especially leg work.
Google “dog camp” and your area. Select few that look good, call them…and….drop in UNINVITED!!!!
There are some great dog camps!
Best of luck and hope you enjoy your vacation.
2008 Oct 10
You probably have a vet you trust and take your dogs to regularly. Start there. My family always leaves their dogs to board at the vet. They know that the dog is safe there, and if there were any medical problems they’d be in good hands. For some people, it isn’t personal enough. You can bring a blanket from home for them though, and their favorite toys. They will be fine! And at least you won’t have to worry about them.
2008 Oct 11
My dog is part of my family and i would not like a member of my family in a cage or a strange place where can get more flees and maybe not treated right. Your dogs are going to miss you and be lonely so don’t make it worse get a sitter you can trust so at least there at there home.
Love my dog!!!
2008 Oct 12
Kennels in the UK are licensed and are mostly pretty good.
The dogs are housed in kennels, usually with an attached outdoor run. You can take their beds with them, they may settle quicker that way as well as a favorite toy or two.
All dogs are exercised daily either in a yard or out on a lead.
You can usually specify the food they are to be given, or you can provide your own.
Ask around your area, other dog owners, and get recommendations of the kennels in the area.
Your dogs will need to be up-to-date on their annual vaccinations and it would be wise to get Kennel Cough vaccine a week before they go in.
2008 Oct 13
You have to really look because some states don’t require licensing . Also make sure they require all vaccinations for all boarded animals dogs should have distemper,rabies and Bordetella(kennel cough usually only given if boarding and last anywhere from 6months to 1 year and should be given 14 days before boarding or earlier. Make sure animals are let outside several times a day and are not required to go inside as when you get them home they will think its ok to go in the house . If you look you can find some loving and caring people .Check with your vet and see who they recommend .
Hope this helps.
2008 Oct 14
I take my dogs to a dog kennel that is not your traditional kennel. They limit their kennels to 10 so that they can give them a lot of attention, a lot of love, and a great time. They also allow them out of their kennels for 12 hours every day. This means they truly only sleep in their kennels. It’s called doggy daycare and it sounds like exactly what it is: They take care of dogs during the day just like people take care of kids.
If you are this concerned, you may do better taking your dogs to a nontraditional kennel, like the one I use. They treat the dogs like they are their own, sit with them, pet them, brush them, throw balls for them, sit in the sun with them, and basically give them a good time while the owners are away.
2008 Oct 16
They have kennels that have tv’s in them and webcams so you can watch your dog anytime you want. The dogs are usually taken out to play several times a day.
It really depends on how much money you want to spend. Fluffy beds cost more, extra one-on-one time costs more, extra treats cost more, etc…
2008 Oct 18
I always have a petsitter come in. She will come over 3 times a day, feed, walk and play with the dogs and gives the dogs a kong with treats to keep them occupied when she leaves. She stays 45-60 mins each time she comes over and calls me every other day to let me know how they are doing.
She also turns lights on/off, brings in the mail, waters the plants, leaves the radio playing during the day…makes it look like there is someone at home.
Yes, this costs a little bit more then boarding them, but they are well cared for, in their own home, without the stress being taken to a new place, with all kinds of other dogs, noise etc.
Call around, interview some people (I went thru 5 before I found one that I really liked–still using the same one after 4 yrs) and go on vacation!!
Petsitters ROCK!!!
2008 Oct 21
Well, I’m sure the ones in the UK are similar to the ones in the US. I have a few pages on my website about dog day cares, pet sitters and boarding kennels. Check them out, they may help.