Columbia,
SC- November 27, 2012 - As much as pet
owners may want to take their furry or feathered friends with them wherever
they go over the holidays, sometimes pets cannot come with them. Finding a trustworthy
kennel or pet care service becomes essential. The Better Business Bureau
serving Central SC and Charleston (BBB) has created a checklist to help pet
owners choose a safe and reliable home-away-from-home for their pets.
Consumers
have become much more proactive in researching boarding facilities for their pets.
The BBB had had an increase of almost 200 percent in the number of people seeking
information; 377 inquiries for this 12 month period compared
to 126 for the previous 12 months.
“Many
pets are viewed as family members. Having to leave them at home adds more
stress during the holidays,” said Jim Camp, president & CEO of the
Better Business Bureau serving Central SC and Charleston. “Doing research before dropping off
your pet will make you feel more confident that they will be well taken care of
while you are away.”
When
looking for a reliable kennel, the BBB recommends the following checklist:
- Check the kennel out with the
BBB first to make sure they have a good track record for keeping customers
satisfied at www.bbb.org
- Consult friends, neighbors,
veterinarian or local animal shelters for recommendations.
- Personally visit the
facilities. Check for cleanliness and offensive odors, and note the
overall safety of the kennel and cages.
- If your pet is prone to
running away, ask about steps the kennel has taken to make their
facilities escape-proof.
- Ask about how your pet may
come in contact with other animals. Some kennels let animals play together
while others keep them separate at all times.
- Ask about the feeding
schedule, water accessibility and frequency of – or fees related to –
exercise.
- Note the friendliness of
staff members and how they interact with the other boarding pets. Ask
about their background and experience.
- Make sure the facility
requires that all entering pets have proof of immunization and ask about
their policies regarding flea and tick control.
- Ask about the hours for drop off and pick up and make sure you
understand their billing policy.
- Ask what happens in the case
of a medical emergency or other unexpected situations.
For more
advice on finding reputable businesses around the holidays, visit www.bbb.org
