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16 Jan 14

Dog Safety, what to ask when boardin ...

by Nancy E. Hassel, LIPetPlace.com

In light of the recent tragic death of a dog at a local Long Island pet sitting and doggie daycare center in Oyster Bay, here is important information for pet owners on how to choose a pet sitter or doggie day care facility.

There are many trusted pet care professionals to help you with your pet sitting and doggie day care needs.  A few things you should do as a dog owner prior to dropping your pet off in someone else’s care are:

  • Visit the facility or pet sitter’s home if you are boarding your pet there.
  • Ask to see all areas in which your dog may be in, backyard, doggie run area, and where your pet will be kept during its stay.
  • The pet sitter should have you fill out paper work, with all your contact info, veterinarian and emergency contact info, any food allergies, medical issues your pet may have, or special needs or instructions for your pet.   This is something that should be done by all pet sitters or dog walkers who are taking your pet into their care whether it is for a walk or overnight stay at their facility/home.
  • You should have a meet and greet with your pet at the doggie day care and definitely with any pet sitter you are going to hire.  It just helps to see how your dog and the sitter do when meeting.
  • Ask how many dogs are at the facility at one time and how many pet care givers are present supervising the pets in their care – and what their qualifications are to be doing so.
  • How do they screen the dogs coming into their facility? How do you know what dogs are there when your dog is there?
  • Ask where is the closest veterinarian facility to them.

“We do a one night trial first prior with new dog clients that stay at our in-home boarding facility prior to them staying for a longer term stay – it’s mandatory.  We do this so we can get to know the dog and so that you’re dog is comfortable at our facility.  I have to be able to trust all the dogs in my care,” said Robyn Elman President of In Home Pet Services, Inc.  “Sometimes dogs can get territorial after staying a few times with us and they need to be reevaluated if they can stay with us again.”

Elman went on to say, “We also only keep similar size dogs here we never have dogs of different sizes together and only a few dogs at a time stay.  Our staff is also fully trained in Pet CPR & First aid and so are all of our franchisee locations.  We do the utmost to ensure your pet is safe, well cared for and has fun while staying with us.”

Many pet sitters are able to text you pictures and video of your pets while they are in their care, and send you updates as well.  It’s a great way to feel at ease while you are away or just at work to see your pet is being well cared for.

While the death of a pet is rare occurrence at a doggie day, you are better off with as much information about the facility you are bringing your pet too. Ask questions, get a tour of the facility and when you leave you should feel comfortable about bringing your pet there, the same goes for the pet sitter or dog walker you are hire.

The adorable pup below is a stock photo from LIPetPlace and is not the dog who died.