How Do I Prepare My Pet for Boarding?

It is great to be able to travel with your pet but what do you do with your furry friend when you can’t take him along? Luckily, HART for Animals offers boarding for your cat(s) and/or dog(s). HART for Animals boasts 25 dog suites with heated floors, doggie doors leading to private patios, cat condos with 3 different levels for sleep and play, a play area with toys, and lots of love and attention. The Bed ‘N Bark Inn at HART is a luxurious place for your pet to stay where he or she will receive the best care possible. So when you are planning a trip out of town, how do you prepare your pet for boarding?

First, in order to board your cat or dog, he or she must be up to date on rabies and distemper vaccinations. These vaccinations protect against several infections; some illnesses that can make your pet very sick (but are treatable) while other illnesses can be fatal. For dogs, especially, it is also required to be up to date on with a Bordetella vaccination. Bordetella vaccine protects dogs against a variety of respiratory viruses that are commonly known as kennel cough. It is recommended that your dog get this vaccine in annually to be as protected as possible before being around large numbers of other dogs.

If you must travel or be away from your pet for an extended period of time, that’s ok with the staff; your pet can be kept at The Bed ‘N Bark Inn however long you may need. The Bed ‘N Bark can keep cats and dogs for extended amounts of time with no limits. There is even a 10% discount offered for reservations of 15 days or longer. Plus, the Bed ‘N Bark Inn is open seven days a week for easy check in and check out.

If you have never boarded your pet before and you are concerned about how your pet may deal with the experience, Dr. Jessy recommends bringing your pet in for a Day Vacation. A vacation or a short stay will prepare your pet for his longer stay without his family nearby. The philosophy at The Bed ‘N Bark Inn is to make the experience for you and your pet as stress free as possible.

To better accommodate your pet and make him comfortable, it is recommended bringing your pet’s favorite bedding and toys. The safety and comfort of our guests is our top priority, so The Bed ‘N Bark Inn provides bedding if you cannot. It is also recommended that you bring your pet’s food so your pet does not go through unnecessary stress from a diet switch while also being away from his or her family.

While at the Bed ‘N Bark Inn, we make sure that your pet gets a 20 minute exercise period every day in addition to four bathroom breaks. Cats get the same exercise experience, and if there are not many cats staying, they will spend most of their day lounging in the cat room. If your dog or cat comes in with a housemate, the dogs or the cats can and will play together. Please note, we do not let unfamiliar pets play or socialize. We also do not take cats out of the cat room and cats and dogs will not play together, even if they live together. The safety of your pets is our top priority and that is why The Bed ‘N Bark Inn has 24 hour security.

Please call 301.387.7729 for more info or a reservation.