dog boarding

[Soyjoy]

hi everyone! it looks like i might have to board my two small/medium dogs for the first few days of vet school. i've never boarded my dogs before so i wanted to ask for some advice.

do you guys like to board at veterinary clinics or boarding facilities? it looks like clinics charge more for less space (cages) while boarding facilities charge less for more space (runs). for example, woodland vet clinic charges $25 per dog/per day for a cage. elite dogs (a boarding facility) charges $32 for two dogs/per day for a run. i'm not sure which is better/safer/more trustworthy.

any thoughts would help.. if anyone in the davis area has any recommendations, please let me know!

thanks😀

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[that redhead]

I think this depends on a) the dogs and b) the facilities. If your dogs aren't used to being out in runs all day, how will they react? Similarly, if they aren't happy being separated (like at the vet clinic in cages), they could also be upset by that. More importantly, though, I would drop in to see the facilities "unannounced" if you can manage, and see where they keep the boarded dogs. Check out the dogs that are there and kind of gauge the care they're getting as best you can. Have your questions written down before you go so that you're prepared to ask what you need to know (if your dogs need meds, will the boarder facility give them? etc).

Also, make sure your dogs are recent in their bordatella vaccines and good luck 🙂

 

[BlacKAT33]

i agree with that redhead. dropping in unannounced is a great idea lol then they can't hide anything.

i used to work at Best Friends pet resort and a lot of dogs there didn't like that they were supposed to poop inside, they weren't used to it at all and especially being in the run. i don't know the facilities that you listed but you may want to keep this in mind. also, i was the only pre-vet person working here and i didn't like all of the employees they hired. some just didnt seem like animal people. But, all places are different so maybe you can tell when you walk in.

at a vet clinic they are usually forced to take the dogs on walks because they are in smaller cages. also, the chances of getting a pre-vet person taking care of them are higher. but who knows, you'd have to go in and talk to the people there to see. sometimes they just hire high schoolers to take care of them and they may be doin it for money instead of love for animals.

but all of this is stereotyping lol so go check them out!

 

[Soyjoy]

if i choose the clinic, my dogs would stay together in the cage. *knock on wood* they don't need any meds. both places do give meds upon request, though. i've taken them to work with me for vaccines and they generally hate being in both runs and cages.

unfortunately, i live in s. cali and won't be visiting davis before school starts. i'll be literally driving up the night before orientation and dropping off the dogs on the day of orientation. my apt lease doesn't start until a few days later so i'll be crashing at a friend's place. not the most ideal situation..

i guess i was just curious whether generally it is a better idea to board at a clinic or a boarding facility, especially for smaller dogs. the reviews at these places seem ok but i feel like i trust clinics a little bit more but i'm not sure..

thanks!

 

[Soyjoy]

oops. BlacKAT33, we must've posted at around the same time. yea, the clinic said they walk the dogs three times a day. i can totally see what you guys are saying.. maybe i can somehow arrange a visit before making a decision.

 

[Armymutt25A]

We kind of have the best of both worlds - the kennel is across from a clinic (and is possibly part of the same organization). For us, we consider some of the benefits, like all day play, baths, etc to be of great value. The fact that the dogs get rather excited to walk through the door of the kennel makes us comfortable. I would look at the enthusiasm of the staff as a factor as well. If they appear to be genuinely glad to see your dogs, it's a good sign. If you feel like they are a step above your average Walmart greeter, look elsewhere.

 

[Jamr0ckin]

I would never board my animal at a boarding facility. I would only allow them to stay at veterinary office.
I'm probably biased because I've worked in a vet office for 10 years that has exceptional facilities, including runs for the bigger dogs and huge fenced in yard to run and play.

There are so many advantages to being at a veterinary clinic/hospital that offers boarding.

Just my $.02

 

[WhtsThFrequency]

Honestly, I feel the opposite. I wouldn't board my dog at a vet clinic just because I know how many sick animals come a clinic. Even with good hygeine, things spread. I'd be too paranoid unless I *personally* knew the place and the workers and was 100% sure of top-notch hygeine. All it takes is one person getting some MRSA pus on their shoe and tracking it into the boarding area.

 

[NStarz]

I'm not sure what your specific needs are, but have you thought about getting a dog sitter? I use a family friend when we go away for my two dogs and cat. She comes 4 times a day to feed/walk/play. We did try boarding my older dog when she was younger (around 1 or 2ish) but she refused to eat while she was there. I like using the pet sitter method because my animals feel comfortable in my house, and still get a lot of attention. When the pet sitter comes, it is only to take care of my animals and not 32 others as well. May be a bit pricey, but it works for my pets and my family.

 

[BlacKAT33]

I'm not sure what your specific needs are, but have you thought about getting a dog sitter? I use a family friend when we go away for my two dogs and cat. She comes 4 times a day to feed/walk/play. We did try boarding my older dog when she was younger (around 1 or 2ish) but she refused to eat while she was there. I like using the pet sitter method because my animals feel comfortable in my house, and still get a lot of attention. When the pet sitter comes, it is only to take care of my animals and not 32 others as well. May be a bit pricey, but it works for my pets and my family.

this is a good idea but it seems the OP doesn't have a place to live for a couple days and that is why they are staying with a friend. i guess the friend doesn't want 2 dogs at their place? The good thing is, w/e you do decide it is just for a couple days right? Less can happen to a pet in a couple days, even if they are too nervous to defecate you wont run into major problems in 2 days. I'd be more worried if it were a week because that is when you get into problems with not eating/drinking/urinating/defecating

 

[Soyjoy]

yea, it would be for four days, which isn't too bad. thanks everyone for your input. there are pros and cons to both, i guess. i'm going to continue doing research and find the best solution so my dogs don't hate me too much!

thanks!

 

[StartingoverVet]

Also you might want to consider your dog's reaction to the environments they will be in.

One of my dogs, who is usually quite confident, starts shaking when we are on the road that passes the vet clinic, let alone when we are inside. Too many bad memories I guess.

On the other hand, the few times we used a boarding facility she was quite happy to see the place.

A sensitive dog can really pick up the stress of the animals around at the clinic.

 

[Soyjoy]

what a good point. my dogs definitely become anxious and shaky as soon as i enter the parking lot of my clinic. must be all the nervous energy of the other dogs and bad memories of syringe needles poking their behinds and nail trims, just to name a few.

thanks!

 

[thearsonist]

I agree with WhtsThFrequency's statement(s).
I'd rather board my dogs in a place where I know all of the pets are UTD on vaccines, unless I know for a fact that the clinic is able to provide a healthy and clean environment for my pets.

However, I don't exactly know what goes on at a boarding facility, or the education of each staff member. (i assume they have a vet and technicians on duty as well, right?) And maybe a vet assistant to walk/feed the animals.

 

[bluesails]

We got lucky the first time I had to board my dog somewhere - the place was a grooming salon for dogs that had boarding facilities, with a spacious garden just for the dogs. Do a lot of research and ask all your friends with dogs. When you get there, ask to see where the dogs will be staying and ask what their daily routines are like.

Also, I always leave an old t shirt with my dog that smells strongly of someone in the house - she ends up curling up in it to sleep every night there.

 

[BlacKAT33]

However, I don't exactly know what goes on at a boarding facility, or the education of each staff member. (i assume they have a vet and technicians on duty as well, right?) And maybe a vet assistant to walk/feed the animals.

nope, not at all boarding facilities. the one i worked at had a vet on call but the vet was not there every day. and there were no vet techs. i was an animal care technician but this was when i was in high school. the job label means nothing about vet tech skills. i didn't know how to give vaccines or do much then. the only thing i did that came close was giving medication (oral, eye, ear) but that was all. and i was the most experienced of ALL the animal care technicians i was a teenager lol. Not saying this is true for all facilities though so it is best to check it out and ask questions.

To find out more about the skills of the people who care for your animal i would ask the qualifications of the animal care technicians because like i said at mine, there wasnt really any. And no one would have known because this is a very well known boarding facility in the east coast with branches in many areas

 

[thearsonist]

nope, not at all boarding facilities. the one i worked at had a vet on call but the vet was not there every day. and there were no vet techs. i was an animal care technician but this was when i was in high school. the job label means nothing about vet tech skills. i didn't know how to give vaccines or do much then. the only thing i did that came close was giving medication (oral, eye, ear) but that was all. and i was the most experienced of ALL the animal care technicians i was a teenager lol. Not saying this is true for all facilities though so it is best to check it out and ask questions.

To find out more about the skills of the people who care for your animal i would ask the qualifications of the animal care technicians because like i said at mine, there wasnt really any. And no one would have known because this is a very well known boarding facility in the east coast with branches in many areas

wow, that's really interesting. I assumed every boarding place had an RVT or DVM on call or on duty just in case. For my own personal interest, what did you do if a diabetic pet was boarding and needed insulin? Or does your facility recommend it board at a clinic?

 

[sunshinevet]

Honestly, I feel the opposite. I wouldn't board my dog at a vet clinic just because I know how many sick animals come a clinic. Even with good hygeine, things spread. I'd be too paranoid unless I *personally* knew the place and the workers and was 100% sure of top-notch hygeine. All it takes is one person getting some MRSA pus on their shoe and tracking it into the boarding area.

I totally agree with this. Also, a vet clinic is primarily a place for sick animals that need medical attention. If a busy day comes along, your pets are going to be right at the bottom of the priority list for attention - meaning they will probably get hardly any! I think a boarding facility is a far better, more engaging place for healthy pets than a veterinary clinic is.

That said, many boarding facilities are a bit hit and miss. Kind of like some vet clinics though...

 

[MSUspartan]

I totally agree with this. Also, a vet clinic is primarily a place for sick animals that need medical attention. If a busy day comes along, your pets are going to be right at the bottom of the priority list for attention - meaning they will probably get hardly any! I think a boarding facility is a far better, more engaging place for healthy pets than a veterinary clinic is.

That said, many boarding facilities are a bit hit and miss. Kind of like some vet clinics though...

It's not necessarily true that boarding pets will be at the bottom of the priority list at a busy clinic...I'm work at a clinic that does boarding, and my position is a kennel attendant. My sole job is to take care of the boarding dogs and cats (feed them, cuddle with them, let them out, keep them clean, etc), and to clean the clinic. I take care of hospitalized patients too, but there are far less of them than there are boarders. I agree that at some vet clinics, boarders would get less attention on busy days if the only ones taking care of them were assistants/technicians...but our clinic is big enough that we usually have around 10 (or more) boarders, so it requires having someone else on staff to take care of them.

Personally I think boarding at a veterinary clinic is better, just because there ARE technicians and doctors there every day to monitor the boarders, and if something goes wrong they can be there to take care of it quickly.

 

[loveoforganic]

 

[BlacKAT33]

wow, that's really interesting. I assumed every boarding place had an RVT or DVM on call or on duty just in case. For my own personal interest, what did you do if a diabetic pet was boarding and needed insulin? Or does your facility recommend it board at a clinic?

Hmm I know I never gave insulin. There were some meds that only the manager would give-but she was just a manager (no vet tech education) and honestly i dont even know her education level but i would assume high school. Of course, by now, she was about 40 yrs old. She was in charge of the front desk. I'd be really surprised if she gave insulin though because i feel like that is even more complicated than she can handle so maybe they dont allow diabetic animals?? not sure

i am a little bitter because i was their best employee, EVER. and she would always tell me this and she said she would write me a letter of rec when i left so that i could get more experience elsewhere. she never did. liar. arggg. I managed to find more experience without her but i just felt like she used me for the 3 yrs i worked there. Without myself there, or my one friend who loves animals, i will never take my pets there. With that many dogs (hundreds) it was impossible to give them all the attention they needed. Id try to spend 1 min petting a couple dogs but i had so much cleaning work to do there was never time. And if you want play times for your pet it is extra money. Oya, walks are extra too lol. So are treats!! haha

edit: i should add that i am not against all boarding facilities. i just feel like i know a ton of inside info and things to inspect in the building that others dont know. If i need to board my pet i will be inspecting every place very well whether it is a boarding facility or a vets clinic.

 

[168135]

I suggest that you check the place out before boarding. The vet clinic I worked at boarded animals... the cages were small, the animals didn't get very much attention, and the room doubled for animals coming in and out of surgery. Only a door separated the clinic from the kennel room, so you can hear everything that goes on in there... doesn't it stress animals out to hear other animals in distress?

I'm hoping my vet clinic is an exception.

 

[incendium04]

Soyjoy, another option you have is spamming the vet school. It is very common for people to advertise for someone to care for a dog (or multiple dogs) at their house or at the petsitter's house. The major downside being that you won't really be able to meet/interview the person, since your schedule is so tight. Just a thought. 🙂

 

[BuggerDoodle]

I don't know if there's anywhere like this near Davis, but when I have to travel and my petsitter isn't available, my 2 dogs stay at a place that offers doggie daycare as well as boarding. They get to play outside supervised with other dogs their size all day and are only in the run at night. Both of my dogs love the place, even my one with severe separation anxiety and they come back nice and tired. This seems to work best for my 2 since they are not used to runs and haven't been put in crates since they were puppies, but I would definately check anywhere ahead of time. Most places near me allow you to do a tour whenever you want and that's usually the best way to tell if somewhere will work for your particular dogs, even if a friend does the tour instead of you. Good luck finding a good place for your pups!

 

[Soyjoy]

Wow, this is harder than I thought. I'm now considering staying at a pet-friendly motel in Davis, which is about $100 per day. It's going to run me about $32-$50 a day anyway to board my dogs.. I might as well pay a bit more and keep them with me at a motel. Plus, my friend's place is in W. Sacramento so it still would've been a drive compared to staying in Davis. I don't think it's worth the additional stress of worrying about my dogs during this whole transition. I'll just have to work a few more days to make up for the difference!

Buggerdoodle, that sounds really awesome but expensive.. Just curious - how much do you pay per dog?

Incendium, thanks, I'll think about that option, too. Maybe even for future reference when I have to make short trips down to S. Cali by plane. By that time, I'll be settled and can investigate properly and thoroughly.

Seriously, thank you all for your input!

 

[thearsonist]

Best of luck to you, Soyjoy. Hopefully it will be a stress-free transition period for you and your dogs.