Wagging Tails

If You Are Planning On Boarding Your Pet…

• Is the kennel clean?

• Trustworthy?

• Safe (from being harmed by the other animals or the facility)?

• Will the other animals get along with your pet or will your pet be sent home early due to conflict with the other animals?

• How well do you know the staff at the boarding facility? Do they genuinely care about your animal & pet you trust them with your pet's life?

• Will the staff give your pet the food he/she is used to & eats at home?

• Will the correct amount of food be given to your pet?

• When your pet's routine changes due to schedule conflicts at the facility will your pet have an upset stomach, diarrhea, or vomiting?

• Will your pet be exposed to illnesses from other animals & airborne viruses in the facility due to his/her decreased immune function from all of the stress & anxiety of boarding?

• Will your pet be okay without his/her favorite toy & bed? (Most kennels do not allow personal items for pets because there is a strong possibility the items will get lost or damaged)

• Do you have a back up plan if your trip gets prolonged? Are the facilities operating hours convenient?

• Are your prepared for most exercise times to be, at maximum, 15 minutes long, barely enough time for a large dog to stretch their legs?

• Are you prepared for all walks to be pack walks at the facility, mixed with large & small dogs, where small dogs have the possibility of being dragged if they cannot keep up?

• If your pet needs medication, do you trust the staff to give the correct medicine & dosage?

• What if your pet does not receive enough attention? Will they be lonely, miserable & anxiously awaiting your return?

• Did you know that pets can easily develop stress & anxiety related behaviors from being in a confined area for a long period of time? These behaviors can damage your relationship with your pet & the chance of developing a strong bond.

If You Are Planning On Having A Friend Or Neighbor Look After Your Pet…

• Don't trust your beloved furry friend with just anyone; even friends & neighbors may forget to feed your pets & provide them with the love & affection they crave while you are away.

Does your pet have allergies?- Hotel rooms use strong cleaning chemicals which may trigger your pet's weeping, sneezing, or even asthmatic symptoms.

Is your pet only comfortable at a certain room temperature?-Many hotel air conditioning & heating units can exceed your pet's comfort levels.

Is your pet comfortable in a carrier?-Pet carriers can be very confining for any animal, whether traveling by plane or car. Confining your pet may cause claustrophobia & symptoms might include whimpering, crying loudly, becoming territorial or aggressive when approached in the carrier.

Is your pet naturally curious?-Stopping in foreign areas may create curiosity for pets who then try to slip out of collars with identification, harnesses, leashes & even escape the vehicle

Is your pet sensitive to weather changes?-Pets that have grown up in only warm climates may have negative reactions when experiencing cold northern climates. This can be both physically & emotionally painful for the animal.

Does your pet have prior experience traveling?-Unfortunately, some animals do not travel well at all & need to be sedated. This can be dangerous for older pets & even fatal if their systems cannot tolerate such drugs.

Myths about traveling with pets…

Myth: Your Pet Will Be Comfortable Traveling In Your Car…FALSE!

Animals often become uncomfortable & can easily develop motion sickness just like humans but in some cases these symptoms become more severe due to their sensitive inner ear balance. Their natural instincts tell them to stop eating & drinking when such problems arise & this may cause dehydration.  For most animals, it takes several days to recover from the trauma of a long-distance trip.

Myth: Your Pet Will Be Comfortable Relieving Itself In The Dedicated Area Of A Rest Stop…FALSE!

Your pet may not feel comfortable relieving itself where hundreds of other smells exists. If they cannot find "their mark" they may not go at all, creating bladder or intestinal problems. For instance, cats need their own litter box & this becomes unpleasant when confined in a motor vehicle. If traveling by plane, older dogs & cats may not be able to retain their bladder control for several hours.

Myth: Pets Can Quickly & Easily Go Through Airport Security…FALSE!

If you travel by plane, nearly all airlines STRICTLY enforce various veterinarian health records & certifications for shots. Arriving at the airport without your paperwork in order can cost hundreds of dollars in extra expenses & possibly involve missing your flight.

Myth: Most Hotels These Days Are "Pet Friendly"…FALSE!

Many hotels do not accept pets or only have a few rooms for pet owners who have to pay an extra deposit. If you did not plan properly this can be a disaster. If admitted, the hotel surroundings may be so noisy or unnatural that your pet becomes restless making it a sleepless night for you.