http://www.thejournalnews.com/newsroom/052605/d03pt0526ctpboar.html

Home sweet kennel for our four-legged friends

PETER GERSTENZANG
FOR THE PATENT TRADER
(Original publication: May 26, 2005)

Most dog owners go into a fugue state when they have to leave their beloved pet at a kennel. Even if it's for just a long weekend.

However, summer looms and families will soon be going on vacations, probably to places that aren't pet friendly. Is it possible to find a place that will pamper your furry "child" so when you pick him up he'll still be the perky pup you remember? The answer is an unqualified yes. Dog, and cat, boarding has come a long way since its old dark days.

There are several things owners should look for when choosing a place to board their pet, said Jessica Dallinga, the manager of Stone Meadow Kennels in Mahopac.

"The first thing I would tell them to look for is nice clean stalls. I would also be sure to find out if the kennel has 24-hour supervision. You want to know that someone is, in effect, living there in case of a fire or any sort of health emergencies for your pet. We certainly have that here."

The comforts of home
Dallinga stresses a sensitivity to a dog's eating habits.

"For instance, at Stone Meadow," Dallinga said, "we provide 27 different kinds of food. It's all about personalized feeding. Maybe one dog needs to eat chicken. Another has a special brand of commercial food that needs to be provided. Some dogs need to have their meals warmed in the microwave. We even make macaroni and cheese for some of our boarders. Your dog will certainly feel a little more at home if he or she gets to eat something familiar and soothing every day."

Finally, Dallinga said, make sure to find out about the amount of exercise your dog needs and whether they will get enough when boarding.

"Are there indoor or outdoor runs? Covered runs for bad weather? Are these dog runs secure? These are all the sorts of things you should ask the owners before you board your dog at their kennel," she said.

Happy, healthy boarders
Karen Meschino, receptionist at Fine Animal Hospital in Bedford Hills, gets right to the point about how to sniff out a good temporary home for your dog.

"I go by smell as much as anything," Meschino said. "If you're checking out a place and you don't like the way it smells, keep looking."

The next thing she considers is the staff. "The people who work with dogs should act like they care about them. It's a feeling you'll either get or you won't."

When you pick up your dog, you, and a good kennel, want to make sure Fido is the only passenger making the trek home. So don't be surprised if the facility asks for certain health documentation.

"Something that's becoming more popular at kennels is the need for a stool sample from your dog," Meschino said. "It's for his and the other dogs' protection, so don't be offended by this. If a dog, or your dog, has a worm or some other condition that can be passed along, you'll want to know this before he or she boards."

A good feeling regarding communication with the owner and staff is another way to pick the right place for your pet, Meschino said.

"Talk about your dog's feeding schedule. Discuss whether he likes his food warm or cold. Find out if the kennel provides extra walks for the dogs who really need it. If your animal needs to go outdoors, will he? If he's a stay-inside sort of pup, will they make sure he doesn't go out? If you get the feeling that these people are listening to you and really reassuring, then you've probably found your place."

One last tip from Meschino: Consider your dog's temperament when choosing an appropriate kennel.

"Easygoing dogs will do fine in a large, noisy place," she said, "but if your pet is anxious or sensitive, look for a kennel that is smaller and quieter. It just takes a little common sense to sort all of this out."

Jack Feinberg, owner of Northwind Kennels in Bedford, said to take into account whether your pet needs a bit of pampering when he is staying at his home away from home.

"One of the things we offer that dogs really respond well to is private suites," Feinberg said. "We have individual rooms for dogs. Some are unfurnished. Some are furnished in a way that will make them feel right at home. We're talking carpeting, furnishings and the piece de resistance, television sets. We found that lots of dogs are used to the TV, so we have one in the room for them. If their owners are not English-speaking and don't watch English language shows, we can usually accommodate to their needs. We can pick up German, French, even Taiwanese stations. It's very soothing for the dogs."

That's not the only homey touch Northwind sees to.

"Something else that we provide and that dogs like is we keep newspapers and magazines on the floor of the suites. These are the sorts of touches you should look for, that will make your dog's visit to a kennel, pleasant, not traumatic."

— Peter Gerstenzang

Copyright 2005 The Journal News, a Gannett Co. Inc. newspaper serving Westchester, Rockland and Putnam Counties in New York.
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