With pet ownership comes great responsibility. Pets are essentially a part of your family, and it is a lifetime commitment to your furry member to provide them with the best possible care. The happiness and unconditional love that pets bring in our lives make up for the extra responsibility. Pets are just like a child, and their parents often worry as to how they can manage the pet care in the case of a sudden family emergency, travel, or illness. For others, it is more about providing their pets with a positive social atmosphere while they are at work or away for the weekend.
Travelling with pets can put you in an extremely stressful situation as most hotels have restrictions, and there is always the risk of travel-induced illnesses. Many pet owners, therefore, find rescue in pet care in North West London to benefit from the professional pet care services. An experienced and knowledgeable pet care facility can provide the most reliable and safe pet care for your little one.
The selection of the right pet care facility can be challenging and confusing, which is why we have put together this guide to help you evaluate and select the best pet care facility for the beloved member.
Evaluating A Pet Care Facility
Once you have done some research on the available local pet care facilities, you can determine the one to go with by doing the following:
Contact the Facility
The first step is calling the facility to check if they can accommodate your pet. Around the peak times of the year, such as summers and Christmas, most pet care facilities are booked completely and cannot take more pets. Also, as some pets need special accommodation and handling, not all pet care facilities will be able to take them in. If the facility you are interested in is accepting more pets, book an appointment for a visit.
Make A Personal Visit to The Facility
A personal visit is a must to make sure if the concerned pet care facility is up to the standards and is satisfactory for your pet. You should take into account the following things during your visit:
- Acceptance Policies
Nowadays, each pet care facility has its own acceptance policy. Most daycare facilities have specific criteria in terms of the size of the pet you want to admit, neuter/spay policies, temperament checking procedures, and the enrollment paperwork. As the space in these pet care facilities is often limited, the caregivers at the facility will try to place your dog in a playgroup that goes well with their personality. Certain daycare facilities need regular or standing reservations.
- General Appearance of the Facility
A pet facility must look and smell clean and net. Pet care providers are normally proud to show their facility to the visitors, but some places have a “no visitors” policy. Some dogs react unpredictably and can potentially become a risk for visitors. Consequently, seeing strangers can make these dogs aggressive and fearful at times. Also, some facilities are cautious in terms of the cleanliness as the visitors do not usually follow the same disinfecting procedures as the staff members and can carry germs and contagious microorganisms into the facility.
- Security
When you are away on a vacation or a business, your pet might try to find you. As most of the houses are not designed keeping the pet security in mind, your pet can escape from the house of the inexperienced relative you had probably asked to take care of your pet. Daycare facilities are designed to avoid any such situation. When you visit the pet care facility, look for well-maintained and durable fencing and gates. If you are aware that your dog tends to climb or dig, inform the facility manager to take precautions and keep an eye.
- Safety
The area where your pet will be staying must be free of any dangerous chemicals, sharp objects, or objects that your pet might try to swallow. Enclosures like the sleeping quarters must have dividers separating your pet from the other boarders. This is important for both safety and also so that your pet feels relaxed to sleep in that environment without feeling threatened by the neighbors. Exercise and play areas must have barriers to prevent dogs from urinating in the parallel runs. The pet care facilities should also have the firefighting equipment available.
- Supervision
Proper supervision is an integral part of a good pet care facility. Pets need continuous attention, and they must be checked regularly by experienced professionals who are skilled enough to recognize the symptoms of distress or illness. Theoretical knowledge, as well as practical experience, is required to interpret symptoms like lethargy, urinary diseases, intestinal issues, sneezing, coughing, or appetite loss. All such signs and symptoms can be indicative of a bigger underlying problem and therefore have to be addressed immediately. Competent pet care professional would be able to notice and evaluate these symptoms.
- Sanitation
The pet care facility must be free of odors, dirt, parasite infestation, or fecal accumulation. All the surfaces must be disinfected properly to avoid any contamination. Daycare litter and pot areas must be properly maintained and without any odor. Solid waste must be removed instantaneously, and there has to be a disinfecting process to clean urine. The pet care facility must also have immunization.
- Healthcare
Healthcare involves clean and timely service of water, food, immunization, parasite control, and any other required medical service. At the boarding day cares, separate containers of clean drinking water must be available for each animal. The water supply and quality should be checked at frequent intervals, and all containers must be cleaned and disinfected once a day. Feeding methodologies differ in different pet care facilities. Some provide certain selected brands, while others allow pet owners to bring in the favorite food of their pets.
If your pet is on some medication, it is important that you advise the pet care operator regarding the particular condition. Some pet care facilities do not accept pets that require extensive medical attention or pets with potentially severe medications such as diabetic shots. The physical and health conditions of a particular daycare can interfere with your pet’s wellbeing, and it is important to discuss all such concerns with the facility operator.
Developing a strong communicative relationship with your pet care facility will make life easier for both you and your pet. When you follow through with this guide, you will be able to mark the checklist of requirements needed for the best pet care. Do the research in advance and trust your pet care service provider to guarantee a happy, safe homecoming when you come back.