Evaluating The Boarding Dogs Houston Business

By Angela White


Whether you're considering opening a kennel to take dogs while their owners are away, or realizing that you need a place for your own pet, there are lots of things to do, a lot of questions to answer. Do you know what makes a good kennel and will give pets a good experience? Do you have to open a licensed facility - or look for one? Getting the answers before you go into business boarding dogs Houston way, or drop your pet off with strangers, is as important as choosing a daycare for your kids.

In the state of Texas, there is no government oversight of this industry. This makes it easier to start up a business, of course. However, it puts the burden of evaluating the safety, cleanliness, and proper management of a facility squarely on the pet owner. You, as the responsible caregiver for a defenseless animal, need to check things out carefully.

Anyone who wants to start a kennel operation should know what clients want, so that they can provide satisfactory service and be prepared for routine questions. It's best to establish policies, which reassure owners and direct any staff you might employ as to proper procedures. The policies can be part of your advertising or presentation when you're hoping to attract business.

Questions are usually about the runs: indoor and/or outdoor, how large, how furnished? Exercise yards: will the dog have a place to run freely at least once a day? Will it be alone or with other dogs? Is there shelter from rain and hot sun? Flea and disease control: are there protections so pets won't come home infested or sick?

It's good for a facility to 'toot it's own horn', but owners need to make sure this isn't false advertising. An owner might want to drop in unexpectedly to see how things are really run, or leave the animal overnight to see how it seems to adjust to being away from you and to the new place and people. This will be reassuring if you need to leave your pet for a longer period.

Owners can ask friends for recommendations, check with their vet's office, or talk to their groomer. This might work better than a brief inspection or relying on advertising. Hopefully, they will know someone who's got a kennel they've been using with for years. A facility might be run very professionally, or it might be a family which will treat your dog like a welcome visitor.

You can always ask for references, if you don't get a recommendation that satisfies you. This lets you know that the kennel has been in business for a while, for example, and that it does have satisfied customers. You might start with the phone book or online sites that list kennels. There is sure to be several in your part of Houston.

Everyone who has a happy pet wants it to be OK when boarded out. No one wants to come home to a companion who seems depressed, smells dirty, or has fleas. Do the research before the last minute and you can find the prefect babysitter for your dog - or provide that service for others.




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