THEY are our best friends, faithful and loyal all year round, but come summer holiday time, we pack our suitcases and disappear, leaving confused cats, dismayed dogs – and assorted other family pets – behind.
Around 21 million Britons depart on holiday each year, and one fifth of them are pet owners. When they book their summer holiday, they also have to thumb through the Yellow Pages looking for a kennel or cattery which will keep their four-legged fri
end in the style they are accustomed to – hopefully.
For, if you get it wrong, your pet may well be pining in misery, longing for your return.
Picking the best place for your family pet means much more than finding the one with the nicest-sounding name – there are golden rules to follow to ensure your four-legged friend enjoys their break away from the old routine too.
A key one is to make sure you know exactly what you're paying for.
"We encourage owners to pop in unexpectedly – we believe that's the best way for owners to have peace of mind," says Isobel Page of Ingliston Cattery and Kennels in Ingliston Road.
"That way, they can see that there is nothing to hide, that the pets we have are looked after all the time."
The kennels and cattery there provide independent, separate centrally heated enclosures for each cat and dog. There are even facilities for smaller pets, such as guinea pigs and rabbits.
Isobel also stresses that emergency numbers are kept just in case pets do find it a struggle to settle in or become ill.
A pet doesn't have to go to a boarding kennel or cattery at all though. The Kennel Club of Great Britain suggest the best option for a pet is to leave it with someone who already knows it well and can look after it.
"Make sure that you leave them with all the information they need, including vet details, your contact details and all the things that your pet will need whilst staying away from home, such as bed, food and toy," says a spokesman.
Some owners might benefit from employing a petsitter – someone who can either take your pet into their home or visit it within its own home.
The Kennel Club advises finding one through a recognised source such as the National Association of Registered Petsitters (NARP) and recommends owners meet the petsitter in advance.
If your only option is a cattery or boarding kennels, the club suggests researching facilities through the Animal Boarding Advice Bureau on 01606-891 303.
Once you have found a place, the first step is to pay it a visit – preferably unannounced – to check it out for yourself before you decide whether to make a booking there or not.
Don't be put off by the noise of barking, and be aware if there are unpleasant doggy smells.
Make sure you're happy with the location of the facilities and that the staff are pleasant to deal with and appear content in their work.
Check kennels are adequately sized, clean, well lit and properly maintained. Exercise runs should be concrete rather than grass so they can be easily cleaned, while kennels, cages and gates should be secure and well looked after.
Make sure staff show an interest in your pet – do they ask about special dietary needs, medication or likes and dislikes, for example – and see if you're allowed to leave a comfort toy or regular bedding.
Check the facility has appropriate insurance for third-party accidents – all kennels must be licensed by the local authority and have certificates on display to confirm their authenticity.
The facility should also have a vet who visits regularly to check that the pets are healthy and is on hand at short notice, just in case.
Ensure your dog will be given adequate exercise and if it is to be walked outwith the facility, ensure it has a sturdy name tag or is micro-chipped.
Leave emergency numbers, your regular vet's details and your dog's special needs – and check their fees.
Remember, you will need to bring along a certificate from your vet showing your dog's vaccinations are up to date or your pet will probably not be allowed to stay.
Find out if the boarding fees include medical insurance. If they don't, arrange some before you leave your pet behind.
Having done all that, the bad news is that the best kennels attract their customers back year after year, so they are often fully booked for the summer by as early as February.
IS EVERYTHING ABOVE BOARD?YOU'RE leaving your best friend – so you want to know they are in good hands. Here's what to look out for:
• Make sure the boarding facility you choose has friendly, caring staff.
• Check that the accommodation is safe, secure and well maintained.
• Ensure there is adequate ventilation, light and heating.
• Make sure that they insist dogs are vaccinated and they have written information regarding your pet.
• Check they have access to a vet, day and night.
• See if they can offer any special requirements, such as diet or grooming.
• If you have two pets, make sure they can stay together.
• Check the facility is licensed.
Ingliston Cattery and Kennels, Ingliston Road,
www.inglistoncatteryandkennels.com 0131-333 1307 The Kennel Owners and Breeders Association:
www.kobra.org.uk National Association of Registered Petsitters:
www.dogsit.com Animal Boarding Advice Bureau: 01606-891 303.
