...I put it in their food for them to take. Can you do this?

...I put the pill in the back of his throat and hold their mouth closed. Can you do this?

    One is company.  At a boarding facility your pet is looked in on several times a day.  They are in the company of humans or other pets in the same room (don't forget they are pack animals).  Because of this there is less time for them to feel lonely and they won't spend their days walking from room to room searching for you.

    Another reason is that a quality boarding facility is designed to be as escape proof as possible.  Let's face it, if your pet's family isn't home, they don't want to be home either.  They may try to escape to go looking for you.  I have personally heard of a dog jumping over a six foot high fence after being let out in the morning when his family wasn't home and another breaking out a window.

    Also, left unattended for many hours between a caregiver's visits, your perfectly well behaved pet could become mentally bored and adopt a destructive behavior, possibly injuring themselves.

    In conclusion, boarding your pet should not be thought of any differently than sending a child to camp. They are more adaptable than we often give them credit for.

Can I bring my pet’s bed?:
     Yes.  Clean beds or blankets from home are encouraged because it makes their area "homier".  This goes a long way in relaxing your pet.

Can I bring toys from home for my dog?:
     Certainly!  Toys also make your pet's environment homier.  Oversized toys are best because they won’t slide under the kennel fencing and get away from your dog.  All toys and treats are stored in your pet's personal storage bin, given at our discretion and as long as you are comfortable allowing your dog toys, so are we.  Over long stays we will rotate your pet's toys to keep them mentally stimulated.  There are some toys and treats we don't recommend.  An example of those would be toys filled with plastic BB’s, flat rawhide chips and smoked (cooked) bones. 

Can I bring my pet’s food?:
     Yes.  Our rates are based on feeding your pet the food you bring from home and mixed (if applicable) the way they are used to getting it.  It is more labor intensive at feeding time, but we do not charge extra for this service.  Getting the same brand and flavor of food that they are used to is one less change they must adapt to.  If your pet eats food that must be cooked, please precook and package it in the quantities that you would like it served and we will heat it in a microwave if needed.  BARF, or raw diets, are also acceptable if prepackaged in sealed bags for individual meals.

My dog is on medication and I put it in their food for them to take. Can you do this?:
     Yes, but not all boarded pets have the same appetite they do at home or they may eat around it.  They are more likely to take their pill if they are getting it in a treat.  I suggest you get your pet accustomed to taking their pills in a piece of cubed cheese or something they love the taste of before boarding them.

My dog is on medication and I put the pill in the back of his throat and hold their mouth closed. Can you do this?:
     Yes, but please keep in mind, not all pets react favorably to someone they just met pushing a pill down their throat and holding their mouth closed.  It is in everyone’s best interest and less stressful to your dog if he gets used to taking his pills in a treat prior to their stay.

What if my dog won’t relieve himself while in his outside run?:
      About 99% of the dogs we board won't use their outside run except to lie down in, so this is pretty normal. This is why all of our guests have outside activities scheduled.  It give them ample opportunities each day to relieve themselves on a natural surface like they are used to doing at home.

Can I pick up my pet outside of your normal business hours?:
     Under certain circumstances yes, and at no additional charge as long as you are on time for your appointment.  My number one priority is providing a relaxed environment for all our guests.  Dogs coming and going at all times during the day tends to keep the kennel "wound up".  Because of this, I am only open certain times for picking up and dropping off.  We can discuss if I am going to be offering a holiday or Sunday checkout when you make your reservation.

Will my dog pick up an odor at your kennel?:
     There are no unpleasant smells or strong chemical odors associated with my kennel.  Also, if I get a dog in who has an unpleasant smell about them (not to be confused with a normal doggie smell), they will get a bath before joining the rest of the group.  I firmly believe in returning everyone's pet to them in the same, if not better, condition that they arrived in.

Could I have someone my pet knows visit him while he is being boarded?:
    The request to have someone they know visit them is not in your pet's best interest, so I recommend against it.  Most pets adapt easily to us and our routine and I try to avoid anything that could disrupt them and make them feel like they are being left all over again.

What vaccinations do you require for my pet to be boarded or groomed?:
     For dogs we ask that the Rabies be up to date and the Distemper combo (DHLPP, DHP3, Duramune...) have been given at some time during the dog's life. Bordetella (Canine Cough) is optional.  I do not require the Canine Cough/Bordetella vaccine.  If you are making the reservation on short notice and one of your dog's vaccinations are overdue, please call us.  Protocols for vaccinations are rapidly changing and my requirements may differ from that of your veterinarian and other boarding facilities.  Also, I have a 14 day buffer period after any "required" vaccination is given before I will let a pet in here.  If they have been given the nasal Bordetella vaccine that buffer period is 30 days.  You can read more about my  buffer period in the last paragraph on this page.   For cats I ask that their Rabies vaccination be up to date, FVRCP been given at some time during their life and no vaccinations given within 14 days of arriving, also.  Cats are very susceptible to reactions from vaccines and it is best they remain at home in their normal environment until we are sure they will not have a reaction.  We like to verify your pet's records before they arrive to avoid any confusion at check in.

    My own dogs are out in the kennel quite often with me and at times interacting with our guests.  I do not feel it is right to ask my customers to do anything outside of what I do with my own pets.  At present the only vaccinations my older adult dogs receive are Rabies every three years, but you should certainly do what you feel comfortable with.  You can read an excellent article by Dr. Bob Rogers from Texas by clicking here: New Vaccination Protocols  There's a lot to read, but it's well worth it.

Is my pet likely to "catch something" at a boarding facility?:
     Just like a child is more likely to catch a cold by attending school rather than being home taught, the higher concentration of pets at a boarding facility increases the chance that your pet could be exposed to something.  However, not all pets that are exposed to a virus or bacteria come down with any symptoms of being ill at all.  That's what a healthy immune system is for.  Many pet owners and several veterinarians now feel that a pet can carry immunity throughout its life from its puppy vaccinations, much like we do.  Another thing to keep in mind is that many viruses and bacteria are airborne, so if your pet goes outside in your yard, for walks around the neighborhood, to the groomers salon or mobile van, to the pet superstore, or even to the veterinarian's office, this will also increase the chance that they could come in contact with a virus or other illness and become sick, even from your own clothing or that of someone visiting them.

     At Best Friend Pet Center we have installed a screening process like many other kennels are doing across the country and abroad.  I ask that none of our guests go to the veterinarian's office, a grooming salon, dog show, pet superstore or other public gathering of dogs in an enclosed building for at least 14 days prior to coming here.  I believe that this policy greatly reduces the chance of a pet "carrying something" into the building.  Why?   Because if they had picked up a virus or bacterial infection, either directly from another pet, from a  person caring for a sick pet, or from a vaccine, they would likely be showing outward signs of being sick by this time and of course will be turned away.  Also, many illnesses can be shed into the environment well after exposure, which is why we have gone to a 30 day buffer period if your pet has received the nasal Bordetella vaccine.  I follow the same guidelines with my own pets and it's just one more precaution I've taken to ensure your pet's stay with us is a pleasant one!