L OCAL LIVING
District
15 DC
TOP-RATED KENNELS These area kennels are rated highly by Washington Consumers’ Checkbook.
Companion Animal Clinic. 10998 Clara Barton Dr., Fairfax Station. 703-250-4100.
www.novavetpet.com.
Happy Tracks Boarding Kennel & Daycare. 3020 Beagle Run Pl., Waldorf. 301-893-0028.
www.happytracks.com.
Laytonsville Veterinary Practice. 5910 Sundown Rd., Laytonsville. 301-948-0158.
www.laytonsvillevetpractice.com.
Queen Anne Kennel. 17705 Queen Anne Rd., Upper Marlboro. 301-249-1210.
Springfield Animal Hospital. 6580 Backlick Rd., Springfield. 703-451-1995.
www.springfieldah.com.
Village Veterinary Clinic. 9544 Burke Rd., Burke. 703-978-8655.
Exclusive to Post readers: Ratings of 81 Washington area kennels will be available free through July 22 at
www.checkbook.org/washingtonpost.
IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII Checking a kennel’s pedigree Here are a few things to consider when choosing a kennel:
Be wary of any kennel that won’t let you inspect its facilities unannounced during regular operating hours.
Check whether a dog has adequate space to run. It should be long enough for the dog to break into a short gallop and wide enough for the dog to wag its tail without hitting the sides. For example, for a midsize dog, four feet by 10 feet is probably adequate.
Be sure your pet will be protected from the sun, rain, cold and
excessive heat.
Be sure animals are protected from one another and that there is proper
fencing to keep your pet in and other animals out.
Be sure proper health protections are in place. The kennel should be clean
and not excessively smelly; all pets should be required to have proof of proper vaccinations, and pets should be examined carefully at check-in for signs of disease or parasites, which could spread.
Size up the staff members: Do they answer your questions, show
affection for the animals and are they available 24 hours a day?
Check what arrangements the kennel has for veterinary care, if
needed.
When you pick up your pet at the end of its stay, carefully check its condition and behavior.
KENNEL ALTERNATIVES
If you use a good kennel, you will be confident that your pet will be well cared for, that it will not be left alone for long periods, that serious health problems will be spotted and referred to a veterinarian and that you will not be imposing on anyone. But there are other options, each with pros and cons.
Taking your pet with you. You’ll share the experience with your pet, spare the stress of separation and avoid the expense of a kennel. But there are potential risks: Your pet may be terrified, even injured, if handled roughly by airline baggage handlers, left for long periods in handling areas or even shipped to the wrong destination. Your pet may not travel well by car and might get mildly sick from changing water supplies. Hotels might not accept your pet. And what will you do with your pet if you want to go to a movie or a ballgame?
IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII
From an early age, teach your pet to get along with other people. Do obedience training if necessary.
1
pet) can be reached. Also, give the kennel your vet’s name and number.
2 3
Be sure your pet has had all appropriate vaccinations. It’s best if this is done at least two weeks before the time of boarding.
PRE-BOARDING PROCEDURES 4 5
For a kennel stay to go well, you have to prepare properly.
If your pet is taking any medications or needs certain
foods, be sure to give the kennel an adequate supply along with written instructions.
Tell the kennel how you (or someone who can make decisions about your
Be sure to let the kennel staff know of any unusual health conditions or personality traits, such as climbing fences or biting, so they won’t overreact. Mention any special fears, such as thunder or sirens, so the staff can be prepared to calm the animal.
than it otherwise would be. If possible, leave while your pet is still in the reception area so that it will know that you are not still there when it is taken to its quarters.
6
Don’t exhibit a lot of emotion; your pet will sense it and be more upset
Sending your pet to another home. Leaving your pet with a friend or neighbor means you’ll be sure who will be caring for it. But you can’t always be sure about the level of care. And there’s always a chance that your pet will slip away to look for you or will cause damage in reaction to being left behind.
In-home pet care. Having a friend, neighbor or pet-sitter care for your pet in your home leaves the pet in familiar surroundings with its usual food and familiar routines. A sitter can also provide other services such as watering plants and picking up mail. But your pet may be alone for long stretches and, whether a sitter is a professional or a neighborhood kid, you can’t be sure of the skill, knowledge or concern brought to the job. If you use a commercial pet-sitting service, you give a stranger access to your home.
Washington Consumers’ Checkbook, online at
www.checkbook.org, is an advertising-free nonprofit organization that rates services such as tree care and car repair, and professionals such as doctors and plumbers.
THE WASHINGTON POST • THURSDAY, JULY 8, 2010
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70