God, boarding kennels are expensive

[Critters2]

I'm trying to find a place for the beagle to stay when I take vacation after Christmas. She's always stayed at a boarding kennel she LOVED!! She'd get so excited when I'd drop her off! Well, that place has been forclosed upon, as it turns out. Which really saddens me.

It also means I have to find a new place. A lot of the boarding facilities around here cater to tourists from Chicago, staying at expensive resorts that don't allow them to have their pets. They board them nearby, so they can see them from time to time. I looked at one place that has BEDROOMS--complete with beds and TVs--for the dogs. Unbelievable.

The beagle is happy with two meals of her regular food and her blanket (one place told me she couldn't bring her own blanket, which won't make her happy).

I was paying $12.50 a night if I provided her food. And that included one grooming while she was there and daily play time. I can't find any place charging less than twice that--most are nearly three times that. And playtime or walks are always extra. I guess I'll have to suck it up and pay what they want.

But Geez!!

What do you pay to board your pets? I have a feeling I was getting a real deal--and that it might explain why she went into foreclosure.

[Flaxbee]

1. can your vet help? Ours charges $12/night for cats, $17 for dogs...

Dogs are harder than cats, who can be left for a few days at a time time food, water and litter boxes aplenty.

Would you consider driving maybe an hour or so away if you could find a better and more affordable place?

[Critters2]

3. I'll probably end up using the vet.

Our vet doesn't have indoor/outdoor runs. They'll crate her and walk her. I think she'd rather be able to come and go in a run. And I once boarded her at the vet and she came home with a throat infection she picked up there. The vet agreed that she'd gotten it there, and didn't charge for the antibiotics, but still. At least I don't have to worry about her getting care in an emergency.

I was out of town last week for one night, to a meeting, and she stayed at the vet. She seemed to do fine. Otoh, I might drive some distance if I could find a more affordable place.

[idgiehkt]

10. I was going to say, I don't think vets are a good place to board

pets for those reasons. For what kennels are charging now ( just my two cents but I think it's because all of a sudden a whole bunch of people are running them who are doing it for profit rather than for love of animals...I've worked in them off and on for a couple of decades and it seems to be a trend to open up a kennel try to stick it to the client in every way shape or form like charging fees for every little thing you do for the animal, which honestly I do not believe guarantees the animal will recieve 'playtime' or 'walks' just because you pay for it. During the holidays it is literally all a place can do to get the animals out of their runs for cleaning and fed, seriously. Not all places are bad but many times those extra fees are just a scam. I've seen places where they take the bedding away from your pet so they don't have to wash it before your return (though the animals had cots) and they take toys and treats away so they are not lost or misplaced. Anymore I would try to find a reliable pet sitter, but that is just for me because I actually have a few animals so there is no way I could afford a kennel anymore.

[MadHound]

2. Given the number, and age of some of my critters, we don't board them

I have ten animals, three of which are reaching geriatric ages. Even if boarding expenses wouldn't kill us, boarding is really hard on animals, especially old ones. Instead, we trade favors back and forth with our circle of friends, taking care of their animals and they take care of ours. It works out better for everybody involved.

[Critters2]

4. That would work in some places, but I don't find that sense of community here.

My secretary checks on the cats while I'm gone, but finding someone to take care of a dog would be a challenge. It's a great idea if you have a good circle of friends, though.

[grasswire]

5. could you find someone to stay at your place...

...while you are gone? Maybe a college student or someone like that?

[Critters2]

6. Hmm...that's a good idea. nt

[ThomCat]

7. Hmmm. We should arrange something.

I'm sure DUers would be willing to come and house-sit for you and take care of your animals in exchange for a place to stay. It would be a chance for them to visit your area without having to rent a hotel room.

We could have a network of DUers traveling to meet each other and help each other out. How cool would that be? :)

[Critters2]

11. That would be WAAYY cool!!

I would certainly trust DUers to take care of my critters. Even those I disagree with about some issues seem like good, caring folks in general. One must be a bit careful, I suppose, but I think that a great idea!!

[driver8]

8. We pay $40.00/night and our dog doesn't get a private suite with a tv.

He does get to play all day and they do have a swimming pool (shaped like a bone!)...

He comes home absolutely exhausted!!

[mzteris]

9. how about a pet-sitter?

Someone who comes to your house twice a day - to walk, play and feed.

They're usually cheaper than kennels. Make sure they're bonded, too.

[Critters2]

12. Can't find one in town, at least not in the phone book. nt

[LeftyMom]

14. Maybe somebody in your congregation could do it or knows somebody who could?

I'm thinking maybe a responsible teenager?

[Critters2]

17. My secretary takes care of the cats when I'm gone,

but she doesn't even go every day. More like every other day. I could ask around, to see if anyone might be interested in doing it. Good idea!

[Corgigal]

15. try craiglist

I have someone come to the house when I'm away. I use to work at a boarding kennel for a vet and I won't ever board my pets again. I have the petsitter come to the house at least 4 times a day and she charges 9 dollars a visit. I could have her come by less but I have 5 dogs and 6 cats. Really try to find a petsitter they can come by and you can interview them.

[mzteris]

16. check with your vet.

or look at the local petsmart bulletin board.

[Wcross]

13. I pay 45 a night for six dogs.

If they can stay two to a cage my kennel charges 45/night if I provide the food. Maybe you could expand your search to more rural towns?

[Vanje]

18. I swap pet-sitting.

Friends dogs stay here with me regularly.
Its their home away from home.
In exchange, my dogs stay with their doggie pals.