Pet Hotel Expectations

The holiday season is in full swing, we know it at Happy Hound Dog Resorts because we have seen a huge increase in the need for people to find a place for the dog for a family trip. Our pet hotel vacancy rate is very low (originally written Dec 2014). But still people come and go and change their plans. So there is nearly always a cancellation that opens a space for someone else. Don’t despair, keep trying to find a spot for your pet if your favorite place is full. Pet Hotel Expectations are important this time of the year.

Every day people face the question of what to do with their pets when travel, illness, or family emergencies disrupt normal care. Some pet owners attempt to solve this problem by taking their pets with them…. only to discover hotel restrictions. Human Beings sometimes have unrealistic Pet Hotel Expectations. Last month a person called us on Thanksgiving. They drove down, booked a Jacksonville FL hotel room. Then learned the hotel would not take their dog. We were closed on the major holiday. Travel-induced pet illness, and runaway pets can turn their trip into a disaster. The best Dog Boarding Jacksonville FL rates are at Happy Hound Dog Resorts. Ours are fair and reasonable and offer a host of choices as a pet hotel. We want to make sure we cater to your pet hotel expectations.

Pet Hotel Expectations

Other pet owners turn over the care of their animals to well-meaning but untrained neighbors, or friends. Again, the results are often unsatisfactory. Then there are the unregulated shacks or shelter locations also disguised as residential houses. A friend has no liability insurance for your pet, no program to ask for vaccinations, and no safety program to work with dogs in daycare. Pets entrusted to such part-time custodians frequently escape or become seriously ill. Often because of lack of reliable, frequent, and knowledgeable supervision. Few friends are not trained pet professionals, only doing this pet “storage” as a side job. Not a pleasant vacation image. Luckily, there are professional kennels available for use in the area. Happy Hound Dog Resorts has over 90 spaces for dog boarding at Shirley Ave and also at our Beach Blvd location. Raise your Pet Hotel Expectations!

Some helpful ideas to help you with the boarding drop off and pickup once you have chosen a place for your dog. These are important because dogs can sense change and how you work with their senses can go a long way toward peace of mind for both yourself and your dog. Here is a humorus look at managing your pet hotel expectations. So with this in mind, some ideas on helping with the boarding drop off process:

Preparing For Boarding

1.  Make your reservations early. Most kennels are full on holidays and during vacation times. If you wait until the last minute to make your reservations, you may be out of luck. As you make your reservations, verify those items which you should bring with you to the kennel (immunization records, special food, medication, bedding, and toys). Make arrangements for any special services that you wish to have performed while your pet is in the kennel (grooming, training, or shipping). As you make your reservations, find out what type of payment arrangements are acceptable (credit cards, personal checks, money orders).
2. 

   Dogs in the Pet Hotel

   Prepare your pet for boarding:Remember that pets, like people, usually appreciate a vacation in new surroundings with new friends. Dogs, once they become familiar with their new surroundings, have a marvelous, exciting time, almost like kids at summer camp. (If your dog has never been boarded before, you might consider short, overnight stays at the kennel prior to an extended boarding stay to help him or her get used to boarding. Every time you return your dog is less likely  to have”separation anxiety” and can enjoy boarding more.) Make sure that all immunizations are current (and have immunization records, if your kennel requires them). Don’t overfeed your pet immediately before going to the kennel. The extra food is not really necessary and the result might be an upset stomach. Finally, because pets sense and reflect our emotions, DO NOT allow any member of the family to stage an emotional ‘farewell’ scene. Your pets can be made to feel unnecessarily anxious about the kennel visit if they are subject to this kind of dramatic display.

3. Check in during business hours: Bring all agreed upon medications, etc. Make sure medications list the prescription number and name of the pharmacy. Because the kennel can obtain a refill if your return is uncertain. Allow enough time in the kennel office to fill out the necessary paperwork. The kennel needs to know and/or confirm a few things.  The name of a local contact, your veterinarian’s name and phone number, special feeding instructions (if any), medication instructions, etc. If your pet has any special problems which are not covered on the check-in forms. Including fear of thunder, epilepsy, or deafness, point them out to your kennel operator. All of this information helps your kennel take better care of your pet. Especially if there is any type of emergency requiring special action. (And this is what professional care is all about. Anyone can feed your pet, as long as nothing goes wrong. But what you want for your pet is supervision by someone who can assess and respond properly to emergencies).  Rather than allowing you to place your dog in his run. The dog will realize that you have entrusted him or her to the care of the kennel operator.
   

   Dog ready for Dog Daycare in Boarding

4. Relax and enjoy your trip: Remember that you are leaving your pet in the hands of capable professionals. Pets in the kennel probably receive more care and attention than they would at home.