BBB Advises: Don’t Leave Your Pet in the Wrong Hands This Summer

For pet owners looking for a safe place to house their furry friend this summer, locally kenneling or boarding your animal is a great option. Still, the thought of leaving your family pet with strangers can be nerve-wracking. It’s important to find care that you can trust.

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Nationally, BBB received over 400 complaints last year against pet day care, boarding and kennel facilities. Complaints allege problems with billing, as well as concerns about the treatment of their pet. Some owners allege their pets were severely dehydrated, malnourished or covered with fleas, ticks and even maggots after staying with these facilities. A few even allege their pet became extremely ill from their brief stay at certain kennels.

Better Business Bureau (BBB) serving Central, Coastal, Southwest Texas and the Permian Basin advises pet owners looking to board their pets to take these precautions:

Ask for recommendations. Turn to friends and family members who own animals for recommendations on where they take their furry friend. Additionally, check out any recommendations at bbb.org to see their history of complaints and details about those complaints.

Personally visit the facilities. Check for cleanliness and note the overall safety of the kennel and cages. If your pet is prone to running away, ask about steps the kennel takes to make the facility secure.

Ask about interactions between animals. Some kennels let animals play together while others keep them separate at all times. Make sure the facility requires that all entering pets have proof of immunization. Also ask about its policies regarding flea and tick control.

Take notice of the staff. Ask about the background and experience of company staff and take a few moments to see how they interact with other boarded pets.

Thoroughly read the boarding agreement. Verify it includes the feeding and exercise schedule, as well as pick up and drop off hours. Some facilities offer bathing, nail trimming and immunizations as additional services. Make sure these and any other additional fees, like medical emergencies or other care, are included in the agreement.

Have a backup plan. Make sure you have a local friend, family member or veterinarian you can trust in case of emergencies.

For more tips you can trust, visit bbb.org. For the latest news and information, follow them on Facebook and Twitter.
To check out a company and find trustworthy businesses, visit bbb.org.