Pet boarding businesses experience a boom over the summer months as more Americans go on vacation and spend long weekends out of town.
Without the ability to take Fido or Snowball along, dog and cat parents need affordable options for their pets’ care.
According to Dogster.com, the amount pet owners will pay to board a dog this summer varies based on their geographic location and other factors. The average American can expect to spend an estimated $18-$60 per night for pet room and board.
Additional amenities, such as private daily walks or individualized attention, are typically extra.
Some suites at Woof’s include in-room TVs to watch favorite shows
Signs to look for when choosing a boarding location for your pet include a clean, sanitary facility, well-trained staff, and the ability to visit ahead of time.
Jessie Vawter, general manager of Woof’s Play & Stay in Topeka, requires dog parents to book a free meet-and-greet evaluation prior to a dog’s boarding experience. Woof’s offers pet daycare and overnight boarding services for dogs and cats.
Vawter said the meet-and-greet practice ensures that dogs can be introduced to the facility’s playgroup and placed in those that best meets their needs.
“We always give tours, so customers can get a feel for the staff,” said Vawter. “Everyone here loves the dogs.”
Boarders at Woof’s enjoy individual suites with raised Kuranda beds priced at two base rates per night per dog. Regular suites are $50 and luxury suites are $67. Luxury suites include in-room cameras and TVs, so man’s best friend can watch their favorite show while drifting off to sleep.
“They’ve been partial to Bob Ross lately,” said Vawter.
The nightly rate covers daytime play and all of the dogs’ care. Woof’s customers also have the ability to log into an app on their phones and watch their canine friends play in the yard or to reserve a luxury suite and check in on them while they sleep.
Boarders booking with Woof’s for a week or more receive a discount, and Vawter said military pricing is also available. Dogs requiring complete separation from other animals, private play or individual walks with staff are $30 extra per night per family.
There are no additional fees for pets who need to be given medication or receive special care, and dogs from the same family may board together.
One customer left a pot roast for dog to enjoy during kennel stay
“People don’t realize how flexible we are. Whatever we can do to make your dog more comfortable, we’ll do it,” said Vawter. “We can accommodate pretty much everything.”
She said pet parents have provided such special foods as cottage cheese and tuna for their dogs. One customer even prepared a pot roast while he was away, and others have requested family pictures be hung up in their pet’s suite during their stay.
Woof’s can accommodate feline guests as well in one of its four private, multilevel condos, where cats can move freely, separate from other animals.
“It’s pricier than the vet’s, but they get to roam the room,” said Vawter.
Customers who board pets at Woof’s are required to show proof that their animals are current on all vaccinations and in good health. Dogs older than one year must be spayed or neutered to participate in group play in the yard.
“Pups have to be up-to-date on their puppy shots: distemper-parvo, rabies, and six-month Bordetella,” said Vawter. “If they’re over one year and not fixed, we can’t have them in group.”
Some dogs can be anxious or nervous during kennel stays
Dogs in particular may show signs of separation anxiety when boarding away from their owners, especially if they are older or have special health needs. Separation anxiety can lead to destructive behaviors like chewing household items or digging.
Vawter said even when dogs are anxious or nervous during their stay at Woof’s, the staff doesn’t hide that information.
““We strive for good communication,” she said. “It’s about being transparent. We have pups who don’t love their time here, and we will tell the parents.”
She said having objects that smell like home can help ease a dog’s transition when boarding. Pet parents often bring in blankets, T-shirts, socks, and shoes so their dog is surrounded by familiar scents during their stay.
Owners should also provide any medications their pet takes regularly or as needed, along with instructions for when and how to administer them. Vawter said the staff at Woof’s will provide meds as directed.
“We’ll work with your pups however we can,” she said.
Customer Jerry Johnson takes his Miniature Pinscher-Rat Terrier mix, Mo, to Woof’s. Mo is blind, and Johnson said he initially chose Woof’s because of the location and price, but he returns because the staff is good to Mo.
“We were going someplace else, but it was further away, and they increased the prices, so we decided to come here and check them out,” said Johnson. “(Mo) came here before he was blind, so they knew him. They take great care of him and accommodate him.
“They’ve been there, so they know Mo when he comes in. He’s always happy to see them.”
Dogster recommends checking online review for pet businesses
Before choosing a boarding facility, Dogster recommends checking online reviews for businesses in the area. Prospective boarders can also benefit from recommendations by local veterinarians, family members, and friends. Ultimately, an in-person tour will confirm whether a business and its staff are the right fit.
Vawter said pet owners should plan to book a month to three weeks in advance, especially if their vacation falls over a holiday or if they have larger dogs that need accommodations.
“Generally, we are pretty flexible,” she said. “Usually a few days’ notice, but holidays are trickier.”
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