It may be necessary to board your pet when you are on vacation or a business trip. The experience of boarding your pet can be more enjoyable for all concerned, including the pet, if you keep in mind the following tips.

. If your veterinarian does not provide boarding at his or her facility, get a recommendation on a good boarding kennel from a friend or perhaps from your veterinarian. Then visit the recommended kennel(s) before making arrangements to have your pet boarded. Check to see if the kennel is in good repair and clean, both in appearance and free of objectionable odors. You also want to know about accommodations for the pet - for dogs, are the facilities - indoor/outside runs or cages of suitable size to provide comfort in lodging? Will there be supervised walks for exercise? For cats, are the facilities - cages of suitable size to provide comfort in lodging? Will there be space available to allow cats to stretch, perch and jump? In addition, you will want to know - is the kennel help good with dogs and cats? Does the kennel feed a diet that is acceptable to you or, if not, will the food required for your pet be provided? (There may be an extra charge for this service.) Are the pets groomed prior to release? (Again, there may be an extra charge for the service.) Finally, in the advent of an emergency, is a veterinarian on call?

. Make arrangements to board your pet well in advance of your departure date. This is especially important during the summer months when boarding facilities are likely to be full. You should arrive at the kennel when either leaving or picking up your pet during the kennel's regular hours. Many kennels have a pick-up and delivery service as an added convenience; you can inquire about this service when you make your pet's reservation. Also check in advance about any special requirements for admittance, such as verification of vaccinations from your veterinarian. Make a note of any information about your pet, which the kennel will need in caring for him or her, such as special diets or medications. When possible, leave an address or telephone number where you can be reach in case of an emergency. This is especially important if you will not be boarding your pet with your veterinarian.

You can not expect the boarding facility to provide all the comfort of home, however, the experience of boarding your pet can be happier for all concerned if you keep the above mentioned tips in mind, when you make plans to board that loving member of the family.