Boarding Check List: Top 5 Things To Know

Checklist for Boarding Pets

Are you traveling for the holidays? Traveling can be stressful enough with making sure you have your bags packed, kid’s bags packed, cars ready or plane tickets printed. Now add on the stress of making sure pets have everything they need for their boarding stay. Here is a list of the top 5 things to have ready for your pets’ boarding stay. Being prepared will help for a faster check-in time, thus freeing you up to enjoy your vacation.

Top 5 Boarding List Tips

1. Verify the Boarding Reservation: Call and verify your boarding reservation a week or two weeks (if it is a major holiday) prior to your pet’s boarding stay to make sure the facility has the correct dates and kennel sizes for your pets. Always make sure to get confirmation of your pet’s reservation, especially if you are requesting it online. This is also a good time to discuss any extra activities like playtimes, baths, brush-outs, or nail trims. Once you have verified your pet’s boarding reservation make sure you have filled out any paperwork like boarding consent forms and feeding instruction forms so you have less paperwork at the time of drop-off.

2. Vaccination Records: It is always best to have a hard and soft copy of your pet’s vaccination records readily available. You can even have your vet email or fax the appropriate records to your boarding facility prior to your pet’s boarding reservation. Remember to call your veterinarian’s office ahead of time to make sure your pet is current on the following vaccinations:

   1. Canines: Rabies, DHLPPV (Distemper, Hepatitis (Adenovirus), Leptospira, Parainfluenza and Parvovirus), Bordetella, and a negative fecal (in some places they require the Canine Influenza Vaccine as well)

   2. Felines: Rabies, FVRCP(Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis, Calicivirus, and Panleukopenia a.k.a. “Feline Distemper” Vaccine) and Feline Leukemia. Some places may also require a negative fecal.

3. Medications: Make sure to pack any medications in the original bottle and have typed-out instructions for the boarding facility. **Some places have forms you can pre-fill online for feeding and medication instructions.

4. Food: It is always best to bring their own food to avoid possible upset stomachs. Many places will have complimentary food if you forget your pet’s food. However, if your pet is on a special diet it is best to bring their food. Type out the feeding instructions or if your boarding facility has online forms go ahead and fill out the feeding instructions the day before.

5. Pet’s personal items: Make sure to pack any toys, blankets, or treats. Many boarding facilities will allow personal items to be left in the kennel with your pet. If you are concerned about what items a facility will allow with your pet, it is always best to call and verify with the facility prior to your pet’s reservation.

Boarding experiences should be a positive experience for your pet. The less stress you have the day of their reservation the more relaxed your pet will be when getting dropped off at the boarding facility.