How to Choose a Dog Boarding Facility This Summer

Why Choosing the Right Boarding Facility Matters

Summer holidays are one of the busiest seasons for pet boarding facilities. With high demand comes a wide range in quality, from well-staffed, climate-controlled kennels to poorly managed operations that cut corners on safety and supervision. The consequences of a bad choice can range from a stressed, anxious dog to serious injury or illness. Taking a structured, checklist-based approach to evaluating facilities dramatically reduces risk and helps owners travel with peace of mind.

Professional guidelines from organisations such as the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) and the International Boarding and Pet Services Association (IBPSA) outline baseline standards for housing, sanitation, ventilation, and staffing that every reputable facility should meet or exceed.

Step 1: Start With Research and Shortlisting

Online Reputation

Begin by reading recent reviews on multiple platforms. Look specifically for comments about cleanliness, staff behaviour, and how facilities handle emergencies. A pattern of complaints about the same issue is more telling than a single negative review.

Accreditation and Licensing

Check whether the facility holds any relevant local or national licences. In many jurisdictions, commercial boarding operations must meet minimum standards for enclosure sizes, ventilation, sanitation, and fire safety. Ask to see proof of licensing on your visit.

Veterinary Affiliation

Reputable facilities typically have a formal arrangement with a local veterinary clinic or emergency animal hospital. Ask for the name and contact information of the affiliated veterinarian and confirm their proximity to the boarding site.

Step 2: The In-Person Tour Checklist

A facility that refuses or discourages walk-in tours or scheduled visits is an immediate red flag. During a tour, evaluate the following areas systematically.

Reception and Common Areas

• Are floors, walls, and surfaces clean and free of strong odour?
• Is there a clear check-in process with documentation requirements?
• Are vaccination records verified at intake?

Individual Kennels or Sleeping Areas

• Are enclosures appropriately sized for the breeds housed? A general guideline is that a dog should be able to stand, turn around, and lie down comfortably.
• Is bedding clean and dry?
• Are enclosures made of non-toxic, easy-to-sanitise materials?
• Is there adequate ventilation and temperature control? This is especially critical in summer, when heatstroke risk increases significantly for brachycephalic breeds (bulldogs, pugs, boxers) and senior dogs.

Outdoor Exercise Areas

• Are yards securely fenced with no gaps, exposed wires, or sharp edges?
• Is shade available throughout the day?
• Are water stations clean and accessible?
• Is the ground surface safe (no broken glass, toxic plants, or standing water)?

Food Preparation and Storage

• Is food stored in sealed, labelled containers?
• Can the facility accommodate special diets, raw food protocols, or prescription meals? For context on dietary options, owners may find it helpful to review Raw vs Cooked vs Freeze-Dried Dog Food Compared.
• How are feeding times structured, and can they match a dog's home routine?

Step 3: Essential Questions to Ask Staff

Beyond what is visible during a tour, the answers staff give to pointed questions reveal the operational quality of a facility.

Staffing and Supervision

• What is the staff to dog ratio? Industry recommendations generally suggest one handler for every 10 to 15 dogs during active play, and adequate overnight monitoring.
• What training do staff members receive? Ask about canine first aid certification, fear-free handling techniques, and experience with reactive or anxious dogs. For dogs that have difficulty with handling, Teaching a Rescue Dog to Accept Handling and Grooming offers useful background.
• Is someone on site 24 hours? Some facilities leave dogs unsupervised overnight, which may not be appropriate for dogs with separation anxiety or medical conditions.

Health and Safety Protocols

• Which vaccinations are required? Standard requirements typically include rabies, distemper, parvovirus, and bordetella (kennel cough). Some facilities also require a canine influenza vaccine.
• How are sick dogs isolated? There should be a dedicated quarantine area completely separate from the general population.
• What is the flea and parasite policy? Reputable facilities require proof of current flea and tick prevention.
• What happens in a medical emergency? Staff should be able to describe a clear, written protocol: who makes the call, which veterinary clinic is contacted, how owners are notified, and who authorises treatment. For context on emergency preparedness, owners may also want to review Bloat in Dogs: The Emergency Timeline You Must Know.

Daily Routine and Enrichment

• How many exercise or play sessions are provided daily?
• Are dogs grouped by size, temperament, or play style?
• What enrichment activities are offered? Puzzle feeders, rotating toys, and sensory activities help reduce boredom and stress. For creative ideas, see DIY Dog Enrichment Rotation From Recycled Materials.
• Can owners receive photo or video updates? Many modern facilities offer daily updates via app or messaging, which can ease anxiety for both dog and owner.

Step 4: Red Flags That Should Disqualify a Facility

Certain warning signs should prompt owners to remove a facility from consideration immediately, regardless of price or convenience.

• Refusal to allow tours or restricted viewing areas. Transparency is non-negotiable.
• Strong, persistent odour of urine or faeces. Some smell is normal in a kennel environment, but overwhelming odour suggests inadequate sanitation routines.
• Dogs showing signs of extreme stress. Excessive barking, pacing, trembling, or visible injuries in current boarders are serious concerns.
• No vaccination requirements. A facility that accepts unvaccinated dogs puts all animals at risk of contagious disease outbreaks.
• Vague or evasive answers about emergency procedures. If staff cannot clearly describe their emergency veterinary protocol, the facility is unprepared.
• Overcrowding. Dogs crammed into undersized spaces or too many dogs in a single play group increase the risk of fights, disease transmission, and stress.
• No written contract or terms of service. Professional facilities provide clear documentation outlining services, liability, cancellation policies, and emergency authorisation.

Step 5: Summer-Specific Safety Considerations

Summer boarding introduces seasonal hazards that require additional scrutiny.

Heat Management

Heatstroke is a leading warm-weather emergency in dogs. The AVMA notes that brachycephalic breeds, overweight dogs, and senior animals are at heightened risk. Confirm that the facility has air conditioning or effective climate control in all indoor areas, and that outdoor time is limited during peak heat hours (typically 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.). Dogs returning from a period of reduced activity may be especially vulnerable; for related guidance, see Spring Fitness Restart Plan for Overweight Dogs.

Water Access

Fresh, clean water should be available at all times, both indoors and in exercise areas. Ask how often water bowls or dispensers are cleaned and refilled.

Pest Control

Summer increases exposure to fleas, ticks, and mosquitoes. Facilities should have an integrated pest management plan and require current parasite prevention for all dogs.

Thunderstorm and Severe Weather Plans

Summer storms can be deeply distressing for noise-sensitive dogs. Ask how the facility manages storm anxiety: are dogs brought indoors, is calming music or white noise used, and can staff administer owner-approved calming supplements if needed?

Step 6: The Trial Overnight Stay

A trial overnight stay is the single most effective way to assess whether a dog will cope well in a boarding environment. Most reputable facilities encourage or even require this before a longer booking.

Before the Trial

• Complete all required paperwork, including emergency contacts, veterinary details, feeding instructions, and medication schedules.
• Bring familiar items: a favourite blanket, a worn piece of clothing with the owner's scent, and the dog's regular food.
• Inform staff of any behavioural triggers, fears, or medical conditions.

During the Trial

• Ask staff to observe and document the dog's behaviour: eating, sleeping, interaction with staff and other dogs, signs of stress (panting, drooling, refusal to eat, excessive vocalisation).
• If updates are available via photo or video, review them for body language cues such as relaxed posture, tail position, and willingness to engage.

After the Trial

• Evaluate the dog's behaviour upon pick-up. Some adjustment stress is normal, but signs of extreme distress (refusal to eat for 24 hours post-return, significant behavioural changes, or physical injuries) warrant serious concern.
• Ask staff for a summary report. A good facility will provide honest feedback, including whether the dog struggled, rather than simply saying everything was fine.
• If the trial reveals that boarding is too stressful for the dog, consider alternatives such as in-home pet sitting or a trusted friend or family member staying at the home.

Step 7: Final Booking and Preparation

Documentation to Provide

• Up-to-date vaccination records
• Veterinarian's name, address, and emergency number
• Written feeding instructions, including brand, portion size, and schedule
• Medication details with dosage, timing, and administration method
• Emergency contact information for at least two people
• Signed authorisation for emergency veterinary treatment

What to Pack

• Sufficient food for the entire stay, plus two extra days' worth
• Any medications in original packaging with clear labels
• A comfort item with familiar scent
• Collar with current ID tags and, if applicable, microchip registration details

Insurance Considerations

Some pet insurance policies cover boarding-related incidents, while others have specific exclusions or waiting periods. Reviewing policy details before travel is advisable. For more on this topic, see Pet Insurance Waiting Periods: Your Questions Answered.

Emergency Contacts to Keep Accessible

• ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center: (888) 426-4435 (US, fee applies)
• Pet Poison Helpline: (855) 764-7661 (US/Canada, fee applies)
• Your dog's regular veterinarian
• The boarding facility's affiliated emergency veterinary clinic

Printable Summary Checklist

Use this condensed checklist when visiting and evaluating boarding facilities:

• ☐ Facility is licensed and willing to show documentation
• ☐ Tour is offered freely with access to all areas
• ☐ Enclosures are clean, appropriately sized, and well ventilated
• ☐ Climate control is adequate for summer temperatures
• ☐ Outdoor areas are securely fenced with shade and water
• ☐ Staff to dog ratio meets industry guidelines (approximately 1:10 to 1:15 during play)
• ☐ Staff have canine first aid training
• ☐ Vaccination and parasite prevention requirements are enforced
• ☐ A quarantine area exists for sick dogs
• ☐ Emergency veterinary protocol is documented and clearly explained
• ☐ The facility can accommodate special diets and medications
• ☐ Daily enrichment and structured exercise are provided
• ☐ A trial overnight stay is available
• ☐ A written contract with clear terms is provided
• ☐ Photo or video updates are available during stays