Boarding Your Dog: Kennels to Consider

There are times when you’ll have to go places without your pets – and this can potentially be a huge headache for pet owners.

Here are a couple of things you should know when it comes to picking the right boarding for your dog – and some kennels you should consider in Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban.

Kennel Tips

Reports and Reviews
Check online reviews for the kennel before you send your pet there – and, if you have the time and it’s not too far away, check it out in person yourself. This can set pet owners at ease who might be worried about their pet while they aren’t around to see.

Call First
Give your chosen kennel a call first and find out whether they have space available for the time you need it. You’ll also want to find out more about their rates, and how dogs are kept – separately or together.

Providing Food
It’s usually easier, better and cheaper if you provide the food for the duration of your dog’s stay; this way, your dog is able to stick to the same diet they normally have, and this reduces any chances of stomach upsets or a refusal to eat.

Inform
Remember to inform the kennel if your dog has any special rituals or habits, and it’s your responsibility to tell the kennel anything they should know about your dog in order to take care of it – including any health conditions your dog might have or things they are allergic or sensitive to.

Toys and Treats
Every dog has a particular comfort – for some, this is a blanket and for other it’s a plush toy. It can help to pack along any of your pet’s comforts for any separation anxiety they might experience while you aren’t around.

Connecting With Your Dog
Leave your dog with something of yours if your dog experiences particularly severe separation anxiety or if your dog hasn’t been in a kennel before. Consider throwing in an unwashed t-shirt so they might feel a little more at east by having your smell with them. Yes, you can also give your dog a phone call on loudspeaker – it can help your pet to hear your voice once in a while if you’re going for a particularly extended stay.

Vaccination Certificates
In most cases, a kennel won’t require much from you – but they’ll need your pet’s full vaccination certificates at the very least, and they might ask you to provide the food and any medication your pet needs to take, so factor this in. If you don’t have your vaccination certificates nearby, then give the vaccinating vet a call: They’re happy to give these to you. What you may also need to consider is that your dog may need to get a vaccine for Kennel Cough. This is usually precautionary, and if that is the case, it would be good idea to do this well in advance of your trip, as the vaccine can sometimes cause symptoms of the disease to present itself, in which case you may need to get antibiotics from your vet.

Pay Your Bill
Pay your bill – promptly and on time. This is the right thing to do, though some kennels will have a supposed clause in their contract that says you will forfeit access to your animals with an unpaid bill. (If this happens to you, withholding access to someone’s animals is considered theft – and you can lay criminal charges against a kennel for this.)

Finding a Kennel
There are times when you usual pet-sitter won’t be available, and you can’t find a friend or family member to sit for you for the entire duration you are separated from your furkid, and you’ll have to consider turning to boarding kennels. We’re rounded up a few options in the three big cities of South Africa, that seem to get good reviews for boarding.

DURBAN
Ralun Kennels & Cattery: Ralun Kennels & Cattery was established by Major Ralph Lundgren in 1956, and has a long history of taking excellent care of your pets. They have branches in both Kwazulu-Natal and Gauteng – and offers everything from dog training through to a pet club for owners. Click here for dog boarding bookings or visit their website.

Durban Dog Hotel: The Durban Dog Hotel is a seriously luxury stay for dogs – and they offer a dog boarding service as well as plenty of extras for pets, including dog training. Visit their website for more information or to make a direct booking.

JOBURG

Club Street Kennels & Cattery: Club Street Kennels & Cattery is located in Johannesburg, and open seven days a week. They offer boarding for your furry ones as well as a lot of added services such as dog training and grooming. Visit their website if you’d like more information or want to book a stay for your pets.

Bryanston Ferndale Kennels: Bryanston Ferndale Kennels has been in existence since 1968 – and have a great reputation for providing excellent care to pets. They even accommodate more than dogs, and if you’ve got another pet like a hamster that needs taken care of for a holiday, give them a call. Visit their website for more information or to make a booking for your dogs.

CAPE TOWN
Camelot Boarding Kennels & Cattery: Camelot Boarding Kennels and Cattery is located in Cape Town, and offers pet boarding and added services like vaccinations just in case your pets haven’t been vaccinated before their stay. They have special exercise pens for pets, and they even accommodate more than just dogs and cats. Visit their website if you want to make a booking or find out more.

Blue Mountain Kennels: Blue Mountain Kennels have 35 different kennels for dog boarding, and they’ve been in business taking care of dogs for 14 years. There are some special conditions for taking your pets to Blue Mountain Kennels, so read through these before making your booking. Visit their website for more information.

M.A.D Ark:  (or Mad About Dogs) A large farm just outside Melkbos that takes in a limited number of dogs for boarding over December, or as you need during the year. Dogs must be socialised and well behaved. Request access to the group on FB to get in touch with Mimi, or follow Blouberg Dog Lovers on Instagram.

So if you can’t take them with to a pet-safe getaway, at least there are some options for you to consider.
Do you know any kennels that we should add to our list? Let us know in the comments.