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To Board Or Not To Board. . .

This is the question: when going out of town, should you board your pet? As all pets are different, there is no one right answer. So, to help you figure out what's best for your pet, we've put together a discussion of the pros and cons of boarding.


To Board:

Socialization: For many dogs, visiting our resort is a rare opportunity to interact with people outside of their family. This exposure to different people and places is valuable in making your dog comfortable leaving the house and meeting new people. We're proud to have helped many dogs become more at ease and less likely to lash out or bite in fear when approached by strangers. In addition, though our guests are not allowed to physically interact with other dogs, they are stimulated by seeing and hearing new canine faces and voices; they watch, listen, and learn.

Climate Control: If you leave your pet outdoors, you are subjecting them to whatever weather comes our way. In the summer, our temperatures are sometimes dangerously hot. If you leave your pet outdoors, your pet's caretaker must make sure that your pet always has plenty of clean water, access to shade, as well as a method of cooling off, such as a kiddie pool in the shade. In the winter, we sometimes have unexpected cold snaps and wintery precipitation which can put outdoor pets at risk. At Whiskers & Paws, your pet will be safe and warm no matter what type of incliment weather rages outside.

Illness: Who will be able to help your pet if he or she gets diarrhea or vomits from eating something in the yard? You can take comfort in the fact that a veterinarian is on-call 24 hours a day and our staff is trained to look out for illness. The stress of being away from family can sometimes cause diarrhea and vomiting, which can become serious if left untreated. If you leave your pet at home, you should make sure that your caretaker is equipped to recognize illness and get appropriate treatment.

Lost or Stolen Pets: If your pet is outside or has a doggie door giving them access to the backyard, they could escape or, less commonly, be stolen from your yard. This would go unnoticed until the next scheduled visit from the caretaker, which could hinder the safe return of your dog. The longer they are out, the more time they have to get into dangerous situations. If picked up by animal control, there may be difficulty reaching someone using the information on your pet's ID tags. If they do not have tags or have lost those tags on their adventures, animal shelters hold animals for as little as a few days before euthanizing during crowded periods.

All-Day Attention from our Caring Staff: Our guests receive attention throughout the day from our animal-loving, trained staff. They may get considerably less attention and interaction from a petsitter who only visits once a day. And while professional petsitters can be expected to love on your pet like you would, friends and family may not be as receptive to Buddy's slobbery kisses. You can trust that we will love on your pet as enthusiastically as you would. It's not an inconvenience to us, it's our passion.

 

Not to Board:

Long Vacations: We recommend that you look into a pet sitter if you are traveling for longer than 2 - 3 weeks. There tends to be a point, even with dogs who enjoy staying with us, when dogs just seem to get home sick. For dogs, boarding can be like going away to camp. While it can be fun and exciting, there comes a time when all you want to do is go home. And different dogs, like different people, reach this point at varying times. Some dogs happily stay with us for a few weeks, while others get tired of being away from home more quickly. For longer vacations, we recommend a pet sitter who can stay in your home with your pet.

The Stress: Boarding can be very stressful on a pet, especially if it's the first time they've stayed away from home. We find that dogs that are boarded at a younger age seem to enjoy boarding more and cope with the change in environment better, while senior pets boarding for the first time can have a hard time coping with the change in routine. To ease your pet's transition into boarding, you are encouraged to bring their own food so that his or her diet remains the same, and can bring a special toy or blanket that smells like home. For senior pets with significant medical challenges, the stress of being away from home can be overwhelming. To prevent them from struggling to adapt to the change in environment, we would recommend having a knowledgeable petsitter who stays with the animal in your home.

Aggressive Pets: Our facility is designed so that our guests interact with our staff multiple times a day. Our canine guests are taken out to our backyard three times a day, and our feline friends are handled moving between kennels and are allowed to roam when the situation is appropriate. While we pride ourselves in being able to put nervous and scared animals at ease, there are truly aggressive animals whom it is unsafe for us to board. If you are unsure if your pet will allow our staff to care for them, please contact the boarding supervisor, who can arrange a test-run visit if necessary. Please be advised that if your pet is too aggressive to stay with us and you opt for a petsitter, you should make sure that the petsitter will be able to care for your pet without being in danger.