Even as dog owners we sometimes need to get away for a while, but leaving our fur babies somewhere else can be difficult. There are many places in the GTA to board your dog, but how can you tell which one is trustworthy and a right fit? Here are five questions to think about when choosing a facility to board your dog.  

5. Ask what a day would look like for your dog if they were to stay with them

This is one of the first questions that should be asked when boarding your dog. It’s important because it will tell you whether or not their routine will work with your dog. For example, if the facility crates their dogs at night and your dog regularly has free range of the house this may not be the best fit for you. Look for facilities that are committed to keeping as close to your dog’s routine as possible to ensure a smooth transition and stay for your dog.  

4. Get a tour before booking

Make sure you’re able to see the facilities where your dog will be spending most of their time. This could be at a doggy daycare. It’s important to see where your dog will be spending their time. Look out for obvious red flags like no outdoor area, cleanliness issues and so on. Wear and tear of the facility is normal to a certain extent. Imagine what your house would look like with 10+ dogs in it everyday. There are some boarding facilities that bring the dogs home with them. For those instances make sure to ask a lot of questions about their homes and backyards as well as what their routine will be at their houses.  

3. Ask if you can receive updates via email or phone call while you’re away

This is a good way to tell if the facility you are going to is trustworthy. If the facility is being completely transparent with you then they should have no problem providing you with whatever updates you’d like. If they hesitate, have a problem or downright refuse, it may be better to look into other options. It’s very important that you as the owner feel comfortable with where you’re leaving your fur baby. It will give you peace of mind during your vacation and will allow you to enjoy your time away more.  

2. Make sure the facility asks for your dog to be up to date on vaccinations  

This seems like a no brainer and may be a surprise to see on this list. While most pet care facilities are very diligent with health and safety of their animals, some are not and it’s very important to make sure that you’re sending your dog somewhere where safe. Also look for other signs of health and safety due diligence like detailed pet information packages at enrollment and assessments if your dog will spend time at a daycare with other dogs.  

1. Look up reviews

A great way to tell whether or not a place is a good fit for you is to read reviews online. It’s good to hear first-hand accounts of other owner experiences. Often times these will be more truthful and transparent then the facility itself.

Leaving your fur babies can be hard but there’s no need to make it any harder. Go on vacation with the peace of mind that your dog is in good hands using these five tips! We can guarantee you’ll feel much more at ease and so will your pup.