I am considering setting up my own kennels but want to know what dog owners think of kennels? What would be a good idea? bad idea? What would make you feel more comfortable leaving your dogs at kennels? What would you like to see or not see at kennels?

As I am a veterinary nurse I would be open to dogs on long term medication, prescription diets, insulin injections, etc, as I am fully trained and have plenty of experience. I would also want to cater for recently injured animals (it always happens at the worst time) that didnt require permanent veterinary care, although i would be happy to attend vet check ups while the owner was away.

Let me know your opinion.

Thank you!

__________________
Kate

Though I never use them for mine (have use catteries in past) I think there is always the need for a REALLY good one. I think it may be about choosing your market carefully and considering location. Mediocre kennels are ten a penny, those that offer something special less common ... in my experience.

Some owners will go for cheapest regardless, we preferred the top of the market and lliked to see some home comforts for the cats, they even had a television (yes I know ) to make it feel more like home

So if I HAD to use a kennel, I would want one that offered some luxury accommodation, such as a real bed and tv, the option of paying for extra attention and for their own bedding to be brought in.

So basically within reason (of course) a home from home environment, so far as a kennel could allow

The idea of leaving dogs supervised by a vet nurse would be a great plus

sadly I've heard many dog owners gripe over the years about kennel costs, so I guess I am in the minority who used to pay almost as much for the cats holiday as our own

__________________
Fairy smiling, smokes cheroot ...
Simply doesn't give a hoot.

Thank you for that!

And yes a home from home environment is deffinately something i would work towards. I think a bed is a great idea! Although some owners may not appreciate it if there dog does not sleep on a bed at home, and i get him into the habit of it! but an option for the owner would deffiantely be a plus.

__________________
Kate

The dog kennels at catterry we used did have normal kennels too and only a few "bedrooms" so really catered for all requirements/budgets

Despite being the most expensive cattery and kennels in area, it was a very popular place and spaces always in demand.

__________________
Fairy smiling, smokes cheroot ...
Simply doesn't give a hoot.

I would even want my regular kennels to be of high quality and comfort. Do you think that a kennels where dogs requiring mediaction, etc would be of any use? I have contact 20 kennels in my local area and only 1 would accept a dog requiring daily insulin injection, and they even said they werent really trained but would "give it a go".

__________________
Kate

Definitely, I think places that cater for "special needs" dogs would be appreciated, those with health issues or simply elderly.

Another BIG priority would be security, so I would look for somewhere that this was taken seriously

__________________
Fairy smiling, smokes cheroot ...
Simply doesn't give a hoot.

Kennels offering medication are always a good thing, in fact I'm always surprised by how many aren't willing to administer meds.

I agree with Amethyst; although a lot of people use home boarding there is always a need for a really good kennel. the one I work at is regarded as such and spaces go fast. For some, myself included, people pet sitters and similar aren't an option - one of mine is quite nervous and is genuinely content in a kennel environment; moving into an unfamiliar house or having someone move into our's would undoubtedly distress her - so there's always going to be a market for a more upmarket boarding facility.
A lot of places provide lead walks OR an exercise area instead of both, which I think would be preferable. Also worth bearing in mind that many kennels will not serve raw or otherwise specialist diets!

Flooring can be an issue too - it can easily end up it too smooth (easy to clean but dangerously slippery; tiles are terrible for this) or too rough (good grip but harder to clean and can give a dog sores, something we experienced at the first kennels we boarded at). It sounds nitpicky but the floor surfaces would be one of the first things I'd look at while looking around a kennels, slippery floors are a nightmare for older and giant breed dogs in particular.

Good luck if you decide to go ahead!

__________________


Scooter and Breeze - Labrador Retrievers
Cosmo - White Fife Canary

Certainly. Nobody wants to leave a dog who needs regular medication, wouldn't trust a kennel to give it to him even if they said they would. If you advertise that you are qualified to do so, that would put people's minds at ease a bit. My newfie has to have his supplements everyday for his arthritis or he cannot walk properly. I wouldn't leave him in kennels anyway, but I would not want to leave him at all in case he didn't get it, in case someone thought it would be all right to forget it for one day.

When we used to leave our retriever in kennels, the place we went to was impressive in that, they fed what the dog was used to, always asked, they made sure they had the name and number of our own vet, and when I saw the kennel owner in the high street once, the dog took off to say hello, wagging his tail! That is a recommendation you cannot ignore.

I think staffing is going to be your main concern, though. You can't do it all yourself and need to make quite sure you have the right people who really care about the dogs. The other thing is whether it is attached to your house. Will someone be there all night? I wouldn't leave my dogs anywhere that was not attached to the owner's living accommodation.

__________________
http://www.gentle-newfoundland-dogs.com
http://www.royston-pet-care.co.uk



Will always miss you, my little Joshie Woshie xx

If you want real love, buy a dog

If you wouldn't use it on a child, don't use it on a dog

http://pettaxisg8.yolasite.com/
http://www.help-for-learner-drivers.yolasite.com/

One year my husband took my dog to the wrong kennels. It wasn't until we went to collect him that the mistake was discovered and of course, she did not have a kennel for him so he spent the whole fortnight in her house with her dogs. Best time he has ever had in kennels.

__________________
http://www.gentle-newfoundland-dogs.com
http://www.royston-pet-care.co.uk



Will always miss you, my little Joshie Woshie xx

If you want real love, buy a dog

If you wouldn't use it on a child, don't use it on a dog

http://pettaxisg8.yolasite.com/
http://www.help-for-learner-drivers.yolasite.com/