What should a pet owner look for in choosing a kennel?
The first place a pet owner should look in choosing a kennel is the American Boarding Kennels Association.

Kennels belonging to this organization adhere to a Code of Ethics and a Bill of Rights for Boarded Pets. Membership offers continuing education and a variety of resources for the kennel owner and should offer the pet owner a sense of confidence that the kennel upholds those standards.

In addition to checking the credentials of the kennel the owner should ask local pet care businesses where they would suggest boarding their animals. Pet stores and veterinary hospitals can be very helpful in providing information regarding places that they would board their own animals.

What questions should a pet owner ask the kennel?
The pet owner should ask the kennel what sort of accomodations they provide. Are the runs indoor/outdoor, are the kennels heated or air conditioned, do the pets socialize with other animals and how often are they given exercise. Is there someone on the grounds at all time or do the animals spend a large amount of time unsupervised.

The owner should find out what vaccinations are required for their pet to board. Most kennels require distemper, bordetella and rabies for dogs and the feline annual and rabies for cats.

The owner should know what kind of food is served at the kennel. They should be aware of what belongings they should bring and what the kennel hours are for drop off and pick up.

The owner should be made to feel comfortable asking any questions that they feel pertinent to leaving their animal(s). It is extremely important for the kennel employee to make the pet owner feel confident that their pet is going to be well cared for while they are away. Most pet owners do not look at their animals as merely a pet, but as a part of the family and fortunately, most kennel workers feel the same.

What is the most common problem that kennel owners face?
Probably the biggest complaint of kennel owners is that the job is 24/7 and 365 days a year. It can be extremely difficult sometimes to get time away from the kennel and takes a competant and trust worthy staff to make it happen. Still, even the best laid plans often become railroaded by a sudden repair job, an employee calling out, a sick animal or any number of situations. It is the nature of the business, but it can make for a grueling schedule at times.

What is your favorite thing about running a kennel?
My favorite thing as the manager of Neverland Kennel is the satisfaction I get when a scared or nervous pet becomes comfortable and happy in my care. I take an immense amount of pride in the fact that most of the animals that come to the kennel are eager and excited about coming back. This is especially rewarding when the owner is apprehensive about leaving their pet. It makes me really happy to see them (the owner and the pet) come back with a smile on their faces knowing that the kennel is a fun and safe place for them to be.

Is there anything a pet owner can do to make their pets more comfortable when staying in a kennel?
The owner should check with the kennel to find out what the kennel allows them to bring. A t-shirt or something that smells like the owner or home is a good article to bring along, as well as any favorite toys or a bed. If the pet has a sensitive stomach it is in their best interest to bring food along to prevent any intestinal upsets.

Pet owners should always be aware that while any kennel that allows items from home will attempt to return everything in the conditon it came, this is not always possible. It is never a good idea to send along any toy or bed that cannot be replaced.

What is the advantage to kenneling as opposed to hiring a pet sitter?
While some people may feel that hiring someone to come into their home is the best way to care for their pet while they are away there are some major disadvanages to this idea.

First and foremost, the biggest problem with pet sitters is that if something should happen to the sitter, the pet might be neglected. If there is a snowstorm or an accident, the person hired to come by may not be able to make it and therefore the pet might go unfed, unwatered and without the opportunity to go out. Often kennel owners and workers live on the grounds of the kennel and there should always be someone available to care for the pets.

Secondly, kenneling provides greater socialization for the pet. People who work in the pet care industry tend to enjoy spending time with the animals and most pets enjoy the attention. At the kennel they enjoy not only the company of other animals, but also have the opportunity to see more people and have more fun.

Finally, kennel staff are trained to respond to a pets needs. If there is a problem with your animal such as diarrhea, lethargy, not eating, not urinating etc. they kennel staff is more likely to notice these problems and can take appropriate action to help the pet.