Holiday Travel: Find a Trustworthy Kennel for Pets

PHOTO: Salem-News.com

(SALEM, Oregon) - When pet owners leave town, finding a kennel or pet care service they trust is paramount. Better Business Bureau offers tips to help pet owners find a safe and reliable home-away-from-home for furry friends.

Every year, BBB receives hundreds of complaints from pet owners about kennels. Common complaints include disputes over billing, but also over the treatment of pets. Complaining owners allege pets came back from boarding kennels severely dehydrated and malnourished or rife with fleas, ticks, and even maggots. In worst case scenarios, pets became extremely ill from staying at low quality facilities, resulting in lengthy stays at animal hospitals.

When looking for a reliable kennel, BBB serving Alaska, Oregon and Western Washington recommends these tips:
* Ask friends, neighbors, a veterinarian or local animal shelter for recommendations.
* Visit www.bbb.org to get BBB Reliability Reports on kennels.
* Check to see if the kennel or boarding facility is properly licensed through Oregon Secretary of State. Other licensing or permits may be required on a city, county, or federal level.
* Personally visit the facilities. Check for cleanliness, offensive odors and the overall safety of the kennel and cages.
* Inquire about the feeding schedule, water accessibility and frequency of – or fees related to – exercise.
* If pets are prone to running away, ask about the kennel's measures to make facilities escape-proof.
* Find out how pets may come in contact with other animals. Some kennels let animals play together, while others keep them separate at all times.
* Note the friendliness of staff members and how they interact with the other boarding pets.
* Make sure the facility requires that all entering pets have proof of immunization and ask about their policies regarding flea and tick control.
* Get information about the hours for drop off and pick up. Make sure to understand the billing policy.
* Finally, ask what happens in the case of a medical emergency or other unexpected situation.

For more marketplace holiday advice, visit www.bbb.org.
News Release by the Better Business Bureau