Before leaving your dog in any facility, you should visit several canine kennels to ensure you are leaving your dog in good hands. In addition to calling around and checking availability and pricing, you should also make a personal visit to any facility you consider. During this visit, you should carefully examine several things about the facility. It may help to create a checklist to take with you so that you do not forget any of the important aspects about the facility.
You will get an overall impression of the facility when you first walk in. Take careful note of how clean and organized the front offices may be. This is an indication of how well maintained the kennels and common areas are. Also note the friendliness of the staff.
Ask to take a tour of the facility. If the manager refuses, you automatically know that this is not the best place for your dog. A good kennel has nothing to hide, and will gladly show you where your dog would be staying. As you tour the actual kennels, take note of cleanliness and maintenance. If there are many messes waiting to be cleaned up, or if the kennels do not appear to have been cleaned since their last occupant, you should look elsewhere.
Finally, ask to meet the people that will be taking care of your dog. You might want to take your dog along for the tours of canine kennels so you can make sure he or she will be comfortable in this place and get along with the staff.
