So you’re planning a trip and need to find a clean and safe place to house your furry family members while you’re away. With the proliferation of pet resorts and boarding facilities, how do you choose the right place? The following are some guidelines and questions to ask when choosing a home away from home for your pet.

First, you need to ask if they address your particular species of pet. While many places offer boarding for cats and dogs, finding a place for other species, such as birds, rodents, or reptiles, can be more difficult. Some veterinarians who treat “exotics,” as they are known, may also offer accommodations for traveling clients. Other places may offer to accept them as part of a “package deal” with dogs and/or cats, but make sure the staff is familiar with the particular species and its needs.

For dogs and cats, the options are vast, and checking the internet or phone book listings will provide a wide range of options. You can ask for recommendations from friends or family, or check online sites like the local CitySearch listings, which provide not only a list of facilities but also reviews from past customers. Narrow the choice based on reviews and recommendations, as well as the accessibility of the location for you. Now that you have a “short list” of options, you should plan to research individual facilities the same way you might research a child’s day care needs, with lots of questions and legwork.

Being able to tour the facility is important. Call ahead to see if they offer tours, and if so, ask if you need to make an appointment. The best facilities will usually tell you that you can come in for a tour almost any time during regular business hours. If they don’t offer tours or require you to make an appointment, these responses may be your first “red flags” that the facility isn’t up to scratch. Even first-class facilities may limit tours during certain periods, such as holidays or days when they are open limited hours (usually Sunday) for pickups…and these refusals are usually based on the fact that the staff is busy taking care of the pets. or facilitate exits.

When you take a tour, the first thing you should notice is the smell, or the lack of it. High-quality facilities generally have strict cleaning and sanitation guidelines, so the unpleasant scents that can be associated with many kennels should be largely absent. Ask about cleaning and sanitation procedures, and observe the general cleanliness of the facility.

The following list of questions (and your requirements for your own pets and their needs) should help you determine which facilities might best meet your own expectations for caring for your pets:

1. Can you bring your pet(s) food (especially important if they are on a special diet or have a sensitive stomach)? What brand of food do you offer?

2. Can you administer medication and if so, are there any restrictions?

3. How often can you offer food and medication and can they accommodate your pet’s schedule?

4. How often are they taken out to go to the bathroom and how long are they out?

5. Are the accommodations air-conditioned? What size and type of accommodation are offered? Depending on your pet’s needs, you may be interested in a facility that offers larger rooms or enclosures for your furry friend.

6. Do they offer bedding and/or can you bring your pet’s bedding and toys to make them more comfortable?

7. Are pets allowed to mix with other families and, if so, how do you control the interaction to ensure there are no unpleasant encounters?

8. If you have multiple pets, can they stay together? If so, can they be separated at certain times like feeding if needed?

9. How do you handle pets that seem stressed? Stress in a boarding situation can manifest itself in a number of ways, including not eating well, developing symptoms of vomiting and/or diarrhea, pacing or circling an enclosure, etc. Well-run facilities will let you know if your pet is having ongoing difficulties and may offer things like over-the-counter medications, special treats or hand-feeding to entice eaters, or similar tactics to help your pets adjust.

10. How do you handle medical emergencies that may arise? Do you have a vet on site or on call for emergencies? How do they communicate with you if these situations arise? Many good facilities will have relationships with local vets and will do their best to contact you or ask for a good local contact if they need someone. Often, they will ask you to fill out an emergency authorization form in case something happens and they can’t get back to you quickly.

11. What are your vaccination and health requirements? Most good quality facilities will require not only rabies, but also the combination of distemper and bordetella to protect against respiratory diseases. Vaccination requirements can vary depending on the part of the country you live in and the proliferation of various diseases in that region. Many facilities will also limit boarding to pets over a certain age (four months is common, and will also require all puppy or kitten vaccination series) and may limit geriatric pets or pets with serious health conditions for their own safety. Young pets (puppies and kittens), older pets, or pets with serious health concerns are best seen by their veterinarian, as they can better monitor the ongoing health of their fur children and can respond to any crises more quickly.

12. Since studies have shown that pets in a boarding environment do better when they are active and stimulated, ask what additional programs they can offer to make your pet’s stay more enjoyable. Is there extra play time, doggy daycare, or other fun activities available? Many first-class facilities offer a variety of options so you can select the program that best meets your pet’s needs.

13. What are the staffing ratios and how are staff trained? One guideline says there must be at least one staff member for 25 dogs, and there must be at least some required training for all staff. Ask if any of the staff have previous veterinary experience (for example, are there any supervisors who have worked as vet techs?) so someone can spot potential health issues quickly.

The Pet Grooming Services Association (PCSA) is a voluntary organization that provides guidelines and a Code of Ethics for boarding facilities. It also offers a Pet Care Technician Certification program for staff. If the facility you are interested in is a member of this organization, has committed to following PCSA codes, ethics, and practices, and must provide an added level of security for owners who have chosen a high-quality, caring facility . their skin children.

Finally, any well-run facility must have staff who understand animals and love what they do. You should be greeted by friendly and helpful staff members, and don’t be surprised if they greet your pets before they greet you!