How to Choose the Right Pet Boarding Facility
Choosing the right boarding facility is the most important decision you will make when leaving your pet in someone else’s care. The market ranges from luxury pet hotels to basic kennels, and the quality and culture of care varies enormously. Visiting in person before booking is non-negotiable — a reputable facility will welcome prospective clients and encourage tours.
During your visit, pay attention to cleanliness, noise levels, and the demeanour of the animals already boarded. A well-run facility smells clean rather than strongly of disinfectant masking pet waste. Staff should be able to answer questions about their animal-to-staff ratio, daily exercise and interaction schedules, emergency protocols, and vaccination requirements. If staff seem evasive or rushed, or if the tour is declined, look elsewhere.
Look for facilities staffed by trained, experienced animal care professionals. Certifications from organisations such as the Professional Animal Care Certification Council (PACCC), International Boarding and Pet Services Association (IBPSA), or equivalent regional bodies indicate commitment to industry standards. Ask whether a vet or vet nurse is on call or nearby, and what procedure the facility follows if a pet becomes ill or injured during their stay. Online reviews can supplement your in-person assessment, but they should never replace it.
Preparing Your Pet for Boarding
Preparation significantly reduces boarding stress — for both your pet and you. The most important step is a veterinary health check within 30 days of the boarding date to ensure your pet is healthy enough for the stay and has all required vaccinations. Most facilities require proof of current vaccination against kennel cough (Bordetella), distemper, parvovirus, and rabies for dogs. Cats typically need feline viral rhinotracheitis, calicivirus, panleukopenia (FVRCP), and rabies vaccinations.
For first-time boarders, a short trial stay of one or two nights helps your pet adjust to the environment and gives you confidence in the facility before leaving them for a longer period. Socialised pets generally adapt to boarding more easily — dogs that have had positive experiences in group settings and cats accustomed to unfamiliar environments settle in faster than those with no prior exposure.
In the weeks before boarding, gradually accustom your pet to being left alone for longer periods if they suffer from separation anxiety. Anti-anxiety interventions — such as Adaptil diffusers (dogs) or Feliway sprays (cats), calming supplements, or prescription medications from your vet — can reduce stress during the boarding period. Discuss options with your vet well in advance so you have time to assess effectiveness before the trip.
What to Pack for Your Pet’s Boarding Stay
Most boarding facilities ask you to bring your pet’s regular food for the duration of the stay. Maintaining a consistent diet prevents gastrointestinal upset that commonly follows abrupt food changes — a very real risk if the facility uses a different brand or formula. Bring the exact quantity needed plus a small reserve in case of delays, clearly labelled with your pet’s name and feeding instructions.
Include any medications, clearly labelled with the pet’s name, drug name, dosage, and administration frequency. Written instructions are preferable to verbal ones. A current list of emergency contacts — including your vet, your destination contact details, and an authorised local person who can make medical decisions if you are unreachable — is essential and should be handed to the facility at drop-off.
A familiar item from home — a worn t-shirt with your scent, your pet’s favourite blanket, or a familiar toy — can provide significant comfort in an unfamiliar environment. Scent is deeply reassuring for both dogs and cats. However, check with the facility about their policies on personal items; some kennels require washable, easily sanitised bedding for hygiene reasons. Avoid packing irreplaceable or expensive items that could be damaged or lost.
Boarding Options Beyond Traditional Kennels
Traditional kennel-style boarding is not the only option, and it is not the right fit for every pet. Home boarding — where your pet stays in the private home of a registered pet sitter — offers a more domestic environment with smaller numbers of pets and a home-like routine. Many cats and dogs that become stressed in kennel environments thrive in home boarding settings.
In-home pet sitting, where a sitter comes to your own home to care for your pet, is the least disruptive option. Your pet stays in their own environment with familiar smells, routines, and toys. This is particularly advantageous for anxious cats, elderly pets with established routines, or pets with medical needs requiring administration of medication in a consistent home setting.
Platforms such as Rover, Wag, and local pet sitting services connect pet owners with vetted sitters offering home boarding and in-home pet sitting services. When using these platforms, review sitter profiles carefully, read reviews, arrange a meet-and-greet before committing, and clarify all expectations around feeding, exercise, communication updates, and emergency protocols in advance of your departure.
Reducing Boarding Stress for Cats and Dogs
Dogs and cats experience boarding stress differently. Dogs are often more adaptable to group environments and may thrive in play group settings, while cats are solitary territorial animals that typically prefer private rooms away from dogs and unfamiliar cats. A good cat boarding facility provides individual, enclosed rooms — not open cages — with vertical space, hiding spots, and quiet, calm conditions.
Pheromone products applied to bedding or diffused in the boarding room can reduce anxiety. Adaptil (dog-appeasing pheromone) and Feliway (feline facial pheromone analogue) are clinically studied options that many boarding facilities use proactively. For pets with severe anxiety, short-term prescription anxiolytics from your vet — such as trazodone for dogs or gabapentin for cats — are increasingly used to support a calm boarding experience without compromising welfare.
Staying in regular communication with the facility during your trip provides peace of mind. Many modern pet boarding facilities offer daily photo or video updates, webcam access, or report cards through apps. Knowing that your pet is eating, exercising, and interacting normally helps you enjoy your trip rather than worrying. If you have concerns, contact the facility promptly — a good facility will always keep you informed and welcome your questions.