Your Ultimate Guide to Picking a Dog Daycare & boarding facility during the holidays

The holiday season often brings joy and festivities, but for pet owners, it can also mean making crucial decisions about where to board your beloved fur-besties. The best solution is to have a family, friend, or designated pet-sitter care for your dog in your absence.

TALK TO A BFF

However, if those options are unavailable to you, drawing from my experiences working at multiple different doggy daycare facilities, I've compiled a list of basic qualifications and questions every pet owner should consider when choosing a daycare & boarding facility this holiday season.

1. Live Cameras are Non-Negotiable:

Why it matters: In an industry where underpaid and under trained attendants navigate stressful environments, accountability is crucial. Live cameras not only deter mistreatment or neglect, but also provide pet owners with peace of mind. Consider this: In the event of an altercation involving your pet during the holiday season, the presence of live cameras becomes essential for establishing liability.

2. Staff-to-Dog Ratio:

Questions to ask: How many dogs are reserved for the holiday season? What is the staff-to-dog ratio? Why it matters: A responsible doggy daycare should have a clear plan for handling the holiday rush. A good ratio is around 25 dogs per attendant. Anything over 30 is a red flag, as overcrowding can lead to lost dogs, injuries or worse. If the doggy daycare cannot respond to either question with assurance, I advise you to steer clear of this facility. Asking these questions ensures that your dog will receive adequate attention and care.

Consider this: In addition to physical safety, maintaining an appropriate staff-to-dog ratio is vital for the accurate administration of your dog's food and/or medication. The fewer dogs an attendant is responsible for, the lower the likelihood of errors.

3. Transparency About Sleeping Arrangements:

Insist on:

• Seeing the actual sleeping area for your dog.

• Receiving a picture of your dog's sleeping area every night.

Why it matters: I have first hand experience that some dog daycare and boarding facilities will showcase a specific area during tours that differ from where dogs actually stay. Additionally, some places do not use personal items provided by owners, such as your dog's bed. Insisting on transparency about your dog's sleeping arrangements ensures that your pet will have a comfortable and secure space.

4. Utilization of a Comprehensive CRM or Daycare Platform:

Questions to ask:

What CRM or daycare platform do you use for attendance, meal preparation, and medication tracking?

Why it matters:

Avoid places that rely solely on whiteboards or excel sheets. Daycares employing advanced platforms like Gingr or PetExec demonstrate a commitment to organized and accurate record-keeping. This technology enhances their ability to monitor attendance, manage meals, and track medications effectively, ensuring your dog receives the precise care they need.

5. Food Intake Monitoring:

Questions to ask:

Would you know if my dog hasn't eaten for a few days?

If so, what is your plan of action?

Why it matters:

It is very common for a dog to experience anxiety in a doggy daycare & boarding facility since they are separated from their home and family, leading to temporary loss of appetite. A responsible daycare, equipped with proper monitoring systems, will promptly identify such situations and communicate with the owner, demonstrating a commitment to the well-being of your BFF. It is my recommendation that a dog daycare should contact you within two days of a hunger strike.

Choosing the right dog daycare and boarding facility is crucial for your pet's safety and well-being. Live cameras, a proper staff-to-dog ratio, transparency about sleeping arrangements, the utilization of a comprehensive CRM or daycare platform, and proper food intake monitoring are the basic considerations all facilities should meet. By asking these questions and insisting on these key qualifications, you can make an informed decision, ensuring that your BFF has a happy and stress-free holiday experience.

Final Thought:

It is my recommendation that you consider opting for one-on-one boarding or in-home pet sitting as a superior and more personalized alternative.

TALK TO A BFF