Author name: Administrator Bed and Biscuit of Ithaca

Upper respiratory infections (“colds”) are the most common cat disease. In fact, the feline distemper vaccine protects for the most common and widely recognized forms, although there are new viruses and bacterial infections being evolved constantly. As a cat owner you should be aware of some facts about these infections. What is an upper respiratory infection? Commonly abbreviated to URI, upper respiratory infections are often highly contagious diseases spread by airborne viruses. The incubation period is approximately three to seven days from exposure to the first obvious symptoms. Sneezing, eye discharge, and nasal discharge characterize URIs. Depending on the virus causing the disease, signs may last from a few days to a couple of weeks. Most viral infections cause the same feeling in cats that a cold does in humans-lethargy, lack of appetite, and occasionally a fever. Although a severe infection may develop into pneumonia, this is rarely the case. Breeds with short nasal passages, like Persians, seem to be the most severely affected. Also, as with the common cold, a URI can affect the cat’s resistance, making him more susceptible to other secondary infections. Observe your cat closely to avoid any complications. How is it cured? Just as with a common cold, it must run its course. Your veterinarian will prescribe antibiotics to prevent secondary infections or to fight a bacterial infection. Wiping any discharge from the nose or eyes will help keep your cat more comfortable. Since cats depend upon their sense of smell to eat, keeping nasal passages open encourages your cat to ingest food at a normal rate. If the appetite seems lessened, warming up a small amount of canned cat food may make the food more appealing. Do URIs occur only in pet care facilities? No. Since these viruses can be present anywhere, and can travel for distances through the air, they can affect any cat, even one at home on the windowsill. Any cold is more likely to occur when the concentration of cats is greater-such as at cat shows, animal shelters, veterinary offices, and pet shops, as well as in a boarding situation. Yes, but isn’t my cat more likely to catch a cold while being boarded? Yes, because in a boarding facility the cat encounters two conditions that do not occur at home: proximity to a number of potentially contagious cats, and the stress and excitement of a less familiar environment, which can lower resistance to disease. (These are the same factors that explain why children are more likely to catch a cold at school than at home.) However, the more often a cat is boarded, the greater the chances of acquiring immunity to disease. Exposure to a virus that causes a minor infection may leave the cat protected for life against that strain of URI. Are these viruses a constant problem? No. URIs (like the flu) are often seasonal. The problem also tends to be epidemic. When veterinarians begin seeing cases, they normally come from any boarding facility in town, as well as from the pet stores, shelters, and individual owners. Once an outbreak has run its course, another case might not be seen for months. Why doesn’t the vaccine protect my cat? The feline distemper vaccine protects against the most common forms of upper respiratory infections (also called herpes viruses). As with the common cold, there are hundreds of varieties; and mutations of the viruses constantly occur as they themselves adapt to their environment. Vaccinating against every form would be impossible. Your veterinarian can recommend a vaccine program appropriate for your cat. Since these viruses can be present anywhere, and can travel for distances through the air, they can affect any cat, even one at home on the windowsill. Can the boarding facility prevent my cat from being exposed to a URI? Unfortunately, no. No amount of supervision, sanitation, or personalized care can prevent a cat from “catching” an airborne virus. All that a good boarding facility can do is require immunization records, refuse to board an obviously sick cat, and watch for signs of any illness, the most obvious being sneezing or sniffles. Your boarding facility will quickly segregate any infected pets, and seek medical attention to help prevent further spread of disease. You have a right for your boarding facility to provide the best possible care, just as the facility has a right to expect you to accept financial responsibility for such care.

Gastric dilatation-volvulus (GDV), commonly called “bloat” (also sometimes referred to as a gastric torsion), is a life-threatening emergency that commonly affects dogs. It occurs primarily in large, deep-chested breeds. GDV occurs without warning and is very difficult to treat. What is GDV? Gastric dilatation-volvulus is an acute swelling of the stomach. The stomach fills rapidly with excessive gas, which distorts and enlarges it. The stomach is not able to rid itself of the excess gas and may twist on its axis, causing obstructions at each end of the stomach (“volvulus’’ refers to the twisting motion). Therefore both the esophagus and intestines may become twisted shut. A dog may appear uncomfortable, pace or salivate at this time. Some, however, show few signs; it depends upon the severity and rate at which the bloating occurs. Causes of GDV Unfortunately, no one thing has been proven to cause bloat. It is normally seen in the large, deep-chested breeds (Great Danes, Collies, Dobermans, German Shepherds, or Boxers for example), but may also occur in smaller breeds, like Beagles and Bichons. It appears to run in hereditary lines of certain breeds. Eating or drinking too much or too fast has been thought to be a contributing factor, along with excessive exercising before a meal can be digested. A study published by the Purdue University School of Veterinary Medicine indicates that raising food bowls off the floor actually doubles the risk of bloat, rather than lowering the incidence at which it occurs. It does not seem to affect one sex more than the other, but is more likely to occur as a dog ages. Bloat commonly occurs in dogs between the ages of 7 and 12 years. Signs and symptoms Vomiting, dry heaves, salivation and restlessness may all be signs of bloating. They may also just be signs of a stomachache. The most obvious sign is distention and swelling of the abdominal cavity as the stomach expands. Dogs will often assume an unnatural body posture, standing with head and neck extended. A veterinary hospital will confirm the diagnosis with an abdominal x-ray. GDV causes a total collapse. The dog goes into shock, and ultimately can die from cardiac irregularities. Treatment A GDV case must be attended to rapidly if the pet is to be saved. Unfortunately, according to statistics, over 50% of GVD cases will die even with veterinary attention. Treatment for shock should be started in early phases, and the stomach decompressed. This may be accomplished by passing a stomach tube, but sometimes surgery will be the only option to try to save the pet. Surgery does not guarantee a happy outcome, unfortunately, and some pets will not recover even with it. After surgery, several days of hospitalized care will be necessary. If your dog is boarding while you travel and requires surgery and depending upon the length of your travel, your dog may still be hospitalized when you return home. A pet that lives through a bloating episode, but does not have corrective surgery, will be at a high risk for another attack. Without “tacking’’ the stomach in place, a dog will most likely bloat again. Does bloating occur only at pet care facilities? No. Since all the factors that contribute to GDV are not clear, there is no way of predicting when a bloating episode may occur. It can happen in a grooming shop, a veterinary office, a boarding kennel, a dog daycare, or at home. Sometimes owners will notice the signs, but not attribute them to a real problem until the pet collapses. Your ABKA pet care facility manager and staff are acutely aware of the dangers of a gastric torsion, and constantly monitor dogs in their care. Can the pet care facility prevent my dog from bloating? Most pet care facilities take precautions to not overfeed or let pets drink excessive amounts of water. If aware of a hereditary problem, special observation notes may be made. Dogs are exercised well before or after meals. Even with careful precautions and diligent observation, GDV may occur. In a boarding environment, bloating seems to occur with a higher frequency at night or in the early morning hours. Even facilities with live-in staff will have dogs suffer from a bloating incidence. You have a right for your pet care facility to provide the best possible care, just as the pet care facility has a right to expect you to accept financial responsibility for such care. GDV can be an expensive medical condition, so discuss guidelines for financial responsibility with your pet care facility manager and be sure to leave an emergency number where you can be reached.

One of the public relations problems for pet care facilities continues to be a much misunderstood disease in dogs called “canine cough,” tracheobronchitis, or often improperly referred to as “kennel cough.” As a dog owner you should be aware of some of the facts about this disease. What is “Canine Cough?” Infectious tracheobronchitis is a highly contagious, upper-respiratory disease that is spread by any one of three infectious agents (parainfluenza, adenovirus, or Bordetella) or any combination thereof-most often passed on through the air, it can also be transmitted on hands or clothing. The incubation period of the disease is roughly three to ten days and an infected pet may be contagious for three weeks after showing the first signs of illness. The main symptom is a hacking cough, sometimes accompanied by sneezing and nasal discharge, which can last from a few days to several weeks. Although this coughing is very annoying, it does not usually develop into anything more serious; however, just as with a common cold, it can lower the dog’s resistance to other diseases making it susceptible to secondary infections, and so the dog must be observed closely to avoid complications. Canine cough can be an especially serious problem for puppies and geriatric dogs whose immune systems may be weaker. How is it cured? Just as in the case of the common cold, tracheobronchitis is not “cured” but must run its course; however, any animal displaying signs of the illness should be seen by a veterinarian as soon as possible. Many times antibiotics will be prescribed to prevent secondary infection, and sometimes cough suppressants will be prescribed to reduce excessive coughing, but these medications do not attack the disease itself. Home remedy treatments for canine cough without the consultation of a veterinarian are not recommended. Does tracheobronchitis occur only in pet care facilities? No. Since these viruses can be present anywhere, and can travel for considerable distances through the air, they can affect any dog, even one that never leaves its own back yard. But tracheobronchitis is more likely to occur when the concentration of dogs is greater such as at dog shows, kennels, dog daycares, veterinarian offices and hospitals as well as pet shops. Dogs can also be exposed while running loose or while being walked near other dogs, or playing in the park. But aren’t the chances of catching it greater when a dog is in a boarding kennel or daycare? Yes. Because, in any pet care facility, a dog encounters two conditions that do not usually exist at home; proximity to a number of potentially contagious dogs, and the stress and excitement of a less familiar environment, which can result in lower resistance to disease (these same factors explain why children are more likely to catch the flu at school, rather than at home). But the more frequently a dog visits a pet care facility, the greater are the chances that it will acquire immunity to the disease. Even during a widespread breakout, only a fairly small percentage of exposed dogs are affected. Are these viruses a constant problem? No. Tracheobronchitis, like the flu, is often seasonal – mainly due to the fact that the busiest seasons for pet care facilities tend to be summertime or over holiday periods. It also tends to be epidemic. When veterinarians begin to see cases, they normally come from every pet care facility in town, as well as from individual dog owners whose dogs did not visit a facility at all. When the outbreak is over, they might not see another case for months. Can my dog be vaccinated to protect him from tracheobronchitis? Yes! Vaccines against parainfluenza and adenovirus type 2 (in combination with other vaccines) are routinely used as part of an adult dog’s yearly checkup. Puppies are usually vaccinated for these in combination with distemper, hepatitis, and parvovirus in a series of immunizations. Specific, non-routine vaccines are also available for Bordetella bronchiseptica (another cause of canine cough). Although some veterinary practices do not use this vaccination routinely, it should be considered for pets that board, visit a daycare frequently, or for those whose veterinarian recommends it. It is important to note that the vaccines that are used to prevent this viral disease are made from only one of the over 100 different strains of the virus and therefore are not as effective against some strains as others. Some strains are not included in any vaccine; therefore, there is no prevention against them. Your veterinarian is in the best position to recommend a program of preventative health care management depending on your pet’s needs. In most cases, veterinarians recommend that you obtain vaccinations for canine cough five to seven days before taking your dog to a pet care facility. Can’t the boarding kennel or daycare prevent my dog from catching tracheobronchitis? While the spread of canine cough can be minimized by proper cleaning, isolating obviously sick animals and properly ventilating the facility, remember that no amount of supervision, sanitation, or personalized care is guaranteed to be 100% effective against the illness. All that a good pet care facility can do is recommend immunization against tracheobronchitis, refuse to admit an obviously sick dog, follow responsible cleaning and sanitation practices, listen and watch for any signs of sickness, and make sure that any dog requiring veterinary attention receives it as quickly as possible. (Strangely, the dog with parainfluenza alone may not appear ill, yet is contagious) You have a right to expect a pet care facility to provide the best possible care just as that facility has a right to expect you to accept financial responsibility for such care.

The trend in American society today seems to be work, work, work, and this requires leaving the loyal family dog at home for extended periods of time. Owners then come home to find a stressed out pooch, rampant destruction, either of the house, or the yard, and neighbors who complain of barking and howling due to separation anxiety. After working your 10 to 12 hours, you then need to exercise your pet-even in inclement weather. You’ve heard about dog daycare. You’re thinking about it, but are you sure it’s right for you and your dog? This article is designed to give some insight into the growing trend of dog daycare facilities and their benefits, to help you decide if daycare is for you and your dog, and to help you choose the best option for your dog’s needs. So what is dog daycare? It works just like daycare for children. Drop your dog off in the morning on the way to work, and while you slave away, your pampered pooch is pampered indeed! Dog daycare is an organized, controlled and monitored environment, in which a group of friendly dogs, from multiple families, can interact and play throughout the day in an enclosed building or yard. Depending on both your dog’s activity level and the curriculum set by the daycare owners, your dog may enjoy the day by playing with other dogs, playing with people, inside or outside, or whiling away the hours ensconced on somebody’s couch, getting loving attention. There is a daycare for every kind of dog, and it’s important to find one that fits the needs of your dog the best. How do I know if daycare is right for my dog? Most dogs that have had prior social experiences with other dogs will enjoy attending daycare. You may not know if your dog is a good fit for daycare until you apply and the facility performs its temperament test. Professional daycare managers will provide an assessment of your dog’s fit to their facility and recommend the best way to integrate them into the routine of the existing pack. Daycare is not a fit for all dogs. Some dogs do fail temperament testing due to aggression that is often fear based. Other dogs pass testing, but exhibit more stress than enjoyment when attending daycare. Some of these issues can be resolved with behavior training, so discuss your dog’s needs with the daycare manager. How much does dog daycare cost? Costs can vary widely, from a few dollars to $30 or more a day, depending on the provider and whether the daycare is operated out of a private home or a multi-staffed, full service facility. Some daycares offer pre-pay packages and others are simply pay as you go. Don’t select your daycare by cost alone. The lowest priced daycare may not be suitable for your dog. Facility specifics A fully staffed facility offers much for a social dog. The number of dogs participating each day at these facilities often ranges from less than 10 to 80 or more, all ready to make friends. Trained staff keeps the dogs busy with indoor or outdoor play, or even, in some cases, happily munching snacks (healthy, of course!) and watching movies made just for the entertainment of dogs. Activities might include “hide and seek’’, or “tag’’, or anything that canine minds can come up with. Many facilities provide a variety of toys and balls to enjoy, and some even have swimming pools! How do I know if the daycare facility is safe for my dog? When asking questions of potential facilities, confirm that trained staff supervises each playgroup at all times. Inquire as to how many dogs each staff member supervises. This ratio can vary from as little as 1:10 to as many as 1:20 based on the comfort level of the operator. It will depend on the physical set-up, specific group of dogs at play and the experience level of the staff. Ask how dogs are separated into playgroups. To minimize risk of injury, dogs should be separated based on play style, size and age. Inquire as to how dog incidents are handled and how many injuries have occurred in the facility. Keep in mind that accidents and injuries can happen in all facilities. Dog daycare is like a child’s playground, and by allowing dogs to play together there is a risk of injury. Make sure you are comfortable with the testing process at the facility and their responses regarding handling of dog incidents. Be sure you are comfortable that escape risks are minimal at the facility. You should see multiple doors within the facility to the playrooms and secure high fences around outdoor play yards. Ask the daycare what their policy is regarding dogs wearing collars during play. If collars are worn, what is their safety plan if dogs’ mouths get caught during play? If collars are not worn, how are dogs identified? You’ll find that your professional daycare managers are happy to answer all of these questions and explain their safety policies and their reasons for them. Staff is trained to deal with any outbreak of aggression that might result, and most facilities have a standing agreement with a local veterinarian should an emergency arise. In all daycares, dog owners should present proof of current vaccinations, and all should be healthy to prevent the spread of infectious diseases and parasites. Dogs are temperament tested in most cases to ensure the safety of all the canine attendees. How will I know which daycare is the best one for my dog? Ask questions. Visit multiple facilities. Talk to the manager and staff, and go with your instincts. Is the environment calm and controlled? Do the dogs seem stressed or happy? Are the staff members interacting with the dogs? If not, they can’t know them well enough to detect or avoid trouble. Is the daycare sufficiently staffed? Does the daycare have a screening process? If they don’t demand proof of vaccinations

For a variety of reasons, more people are discovering the delight of living with cats. In urban areas, apartment dwellers find that cats offer companionship, without the need for frequent outdoor exercise periods. In rural areas, cats still fulfill their function as rodent catchers for many households. If you are a cat owner, you are undoubtedly very attached to your furry roommate. However, there will be times when you will have to make arrangements for your cat’s care when you are traveling on business, vacations, or when you host out-of-town guests who are allergic to cats. Therefore, you should examine some of the facts about cat care that will help you to understand the advantages of boarding your cat with a professionally set up pet care facility. What options are available? It is important to remember that cats do not usually travel well. They do not usually enjoy it, nor do they adapt well to travel. Many people who try to take their cats along with them on their vacation end up spending most of their vacation time searching for their escaped pets. Leaving your cat with friends is just as unsatisfactory. A cat must go through an adjustment period in a new environment, and this means that your cat will not look upon your friend’s house as “home” for quite awhile. Therefore, your cat may try to escape from the strange house at every opportunity or hide as a fear reaction. Most cat owners recognize that it is not fair to impose this kind of responsibility on their friends, nor is it a safe arrangement for their pets. Having a boarding facility care for your pets in your absence is, therefore, the best alternative. The best way to arrange for such care is to entrust your cat to a professional pet care facility, where the security arrangements are adequate to insure that your cat will not escape, and where the staff are trained in observing and handling the problems that might arise in your absence. How do you arrange for placing your cat in a boarding facility? Stop by your local boarding facility and visit with the owner. Get acquainted with the people who will be caring for your cat. Ask questions-take nothing for granted. Find out if toys or bedding are welcome. Find out about the diet the facility provides. (If there is a special diet that you would like your cat to adhere to, most boarding facilities will allow you to provide such food and will see to it that your cat is fed only what you request.) Discuss safety features. Boarding cats requires good security to prevent escapes. Discuss frankly any qualms you may have about boarding your cat. The boarding facility staff will appreciate your frankness and your interest. The experienced staff members at a boarding facility are trained to recognize the warning signs of potential health problems, and will contact a veterinarian if they feel it is called for. Many times it is easier for the boarding facility staff to detect problems than it is for the owner of the cat. For example, urinary problems, a warning sign that deserves attention, can more easily be detected in the boarding facility than at home, since the cat is closely supervised. It is not, however, part of the staff’s job to diagnose or to prescribe. If your cat requires veterinary aid while he or she is boarding, you should be aware that you are financially responsible for such aid. Discuss, before boarding, any medication or special care your cat might need. Most boarding facilities offer a certain amount of individual care (playing with, talking to, or petting) but you must be reasonable. Asking the facility owner to allow your cat privileges that might result in an escape is not fair to either the boarding facility or your cat. Make certain that you understand the rate structure for all services and hours of operation. The fee for boarding includes, not only the care of your cat, but also the peace of mind that comes from knowing that your cat is safe and with someone you can trust. Facts to consider Keep in mind that cats react much differently in a strange environment than dogs do. Cats are instinctively solitary animals. They do not run in packs like dogs. Therefore, when confronted with strange surroundings, a cat’s normal response is to withdraw physically and mentally into a protected, solitary state. For this reason, cats enjoy the “protected” feeling they get from being caged while in the boarding facility. While it is true that most dogs want to run around and get acquainted, your cat will probably want to sit in the corner of the cage and stare, until it feels comfortable in the new environment. Human contact does not normally accelerate this period of acclimatizing. It has to take place at the cat’s own speed. A common reaction of cat owners to the idea of caging is, “My cat loves to run around.” Perhaps this is true at home, but while in unfamiliar surroundings, the cage gives the best feeling of safety. “But what about exercise?” Here again, the difference between a cat and a dog must be understood. Dogs need space in which to get their necessary exercise, whereas cats exercise isometrically. This means that if a cat has enough room to stretch, he or she can exercise every muscle in the body. When your cat is in strange surroundings, around strange cats and strange smells, your cat will undoubtedly much prefer “safety” to “space.” Immunization Fortunately, within the last several years, there have been significant advances in immunization programs for cats. In past years, there were a number of contagious airborne viruses that caused serious respiratory problems in cats. These viruses could not be controlled by any means except complete isolation of all cats from each other. Now, however, thanks to advances made by the veterinary pharmaceutical companies, there are effective vaccines available to prevent

Today, more and more concerned pet owners are choosing to board their dogs at boarding kennels. These days kennels often offer a variety of pet care services such as daycare, special exercise programs, cat boarding, grooming, retail sales, training, and pet transportation. What are the advantages of boarding your dog? The vast majority of dogs adapts well and enjoys their stay at the kennel. For some dogs-puppies which have not had their immunizations, extremely old dogs with chronic illnesses, very aggressive dogs, dogs that require medication more than twice a day-you might consider boarding with your veterinarian or use an in-home pet care service provider. Keep in mind, however, that pet sitting in your home, even when it is performed by a trained professional, does not offer the same level of supervision that boarding does. Furthermore, when you are not at home with your dog, his or her behavior might differ significantly from the normal behavior. For instance your dog might try to “escape” to find you, become destructive to your home, or become aggressive toward the pet sitter. You should definitely consider boarding your dog rather than taking him or her on vacation with you. Many motels will not accept dogs, and those that do charge extra and become very upset if your dog annoys their other guests. Pets can become ill as a result of traveling because of the frequent changes in water. Many dogs suffer heat prostration while locked in the car when owners go sightseeing, eating or shopping. Selecting a boarding facility:  Stop by a boarding facility and visit with the owner. Get acquainted with the people who will be caring for your dog. Ask questions; take nothing for granted. Are toys or bedding welcome? How will your dog be exercised? What will the facility feed my dog? Talk about safety features. Discuss frankly any qualms you may have about boarding. They will appreciate your frankness and interest. The experienced staff at a professional facility are trained to recognize the warning signs of potential health problems and will contact a veterinarian if they feel it is called for. Many times it is easier for the pet care provider to detect problems than it is for the owner of the dog. A good example is blood in the urine: A warning sign that deserves attention can more easily be detected in the boarding facility than at home because the dog is exercised in a specific area that is cleaned regularly. It is not, however, part of the pet care provider’s job to diagnose or to prescribe. If your dog does require veterinary care while being boarded, you should be aware that you-the pet’s owner-are financially responsible for such care. Discuss, before boarding, any medication or special care your dog might need. Many boarding facilities offer specialized play programs such as playschool and nature walks. During boarding it is possible that dogs might step in their stools or urine and become dirty. This can happen in the cleanest of facilities. Bathing or grooming may be a welcome solution.  Make certain to advise the pet care provider if you want your dog to have a bath on the day he or she goes home. Make certain you understand the rate structure for all services and hours of operation. The fee for boarding includes the care of your pet, as well as the peace of mind that goes with knowing that he or she is safe and with someone you can trust. Keep in mind there are a few things you must attend to before bringing your dog in to board. Make certain all immunizations are current. The owner of the facility will be happy to discuss the immunization requirements with you. Your pet should be free of internal and external parasites and not have been exposed to any contagious diseases. Do not feed your dog for at least four hours prior to boarding to minimize the possibility of stomach upset. Boarding is a great alternative, but separation from the family or being in strange surroundings can produce stress in your dog. And stress can result in lowered resistance to disease and sometimes even temporary changes in behavior. Be sure to inform the boarding facility of any special idiosyncrasies or medical problems your dog may have (history of epilepsy or fear of thunder, etc.) that may assist in keeping your dog healthy and happy. Dogs should be prepared psychologically for boarding. It’s best, of course, to begin with a puppy as soon as the immunization program is complete. (Puppies usually learn very quickly to enjoy boarding.) Some boarding facilities offer daycare services enabling you to leave your dog for a few hours at a time. This is an excellent way to introduce your dog to boarding. After just a few visits your dog accepts a pet care facility as a normal way of life. The psychological preparation of a dog for boarding-and also for helping to develop a healthy personality-includes getting your dog used to new people and experiences (socialization). This is probably most easily accomplished by taking him or her through obedience classes, spending a few days at a dog daycare, and occasionally boarding him or her. Naturally, a dog who is relaxed about boarding is more likely to board well. (A pet owner sometimes needs reminding that it is not beneficial to lament over the dog in the front office before leaving, nor should the suitcases come out the day before the trip-both of these things cause the dog to be unnecessarily upset.) Understanding the kennel environment:   It is important to understand the possible effects of stress on a dog and to do everything possible to minimize stress both prior to and immediately after boarding. Sometimes temporary behavior changes can occur as a result of unfamiliar surroundings. While boarding, your best friend tears up the bed that has been slept in for years. Or “Killer,” that rowdy scourge of the neighborhood, turns into a little lamb. Eating

Professional pet boarding vs. Pet sitting The following views are not intended to disparage or down trod the many Professional Pet Sitters who operate under professional standards and are bonded and licensed. These are a compilation of customer reflections gathered over our 10 year plus kennel business experience. These observations are meant to offer a comparison between professional pet sitting and professional pet boarding. While we are sure that there are many excellent and diligent pet sitters, please check the references, insurances and licenses of any whom you may consider. Pet Sitter or Pet Checker? The term “pet sitter” implies someone “continually sitting or staying” with your pet the entire time you are gone! In most cases, however, it would be better to use the term “pet checker” as most “sitters” only visit and check on your pet once or twice during a twenty-four hour period. Many times there is little or no constant supervision, exercise or companionship. There are differences between a boarding kennel and a pet “checker” service…..and you should know about them before you leave your pet(s) home alone. Many misconceptions exist between what pet care professionals can provide and what pet checkers do in the absence of pet owners. We would like to call your attention to a few points, please read them and make your decision with the best interest of your pet in mind. Separation Anxiety Pets suffer emotional stress when their owners leave whether they’re left at home or placed in a boarding facility. It’s how those providing the care respond that makes the difference in the pet’s emotional well being. Boarded pets do not destroy carpeting, drapes, landscaping or your relationship with your neighbors. Pet Checker Situation: Pet left HOME ALONE as much as 23 out of 24 Hour The checker will bring in the mail, bring in the newspaper, water the plants, turn on the lights in different rooms, open and close the blinds, how much time the pet checker will actually spend with your pet? Your pet may spill its drinking water and won’t have anybody to refill it for 24 hours. Pet may suffer from separation anxiety and extreme boredom With no social interaction the pet may become ill or bark nonstop Pet may suffer needlessly due to delayed treatment for illness or accident Pet may destroy home, yard and belongings or even forget house training Pet may run away to find his owner or hurt himself trying, especially during thunderstorms and fireworks Boarding at the Bed and Biscuit: Bed and Biscuit offers a structured social environment with loving caregivers and other pets present. Social interaction and routines are designed for the pet’s physical and emotional health. Many pets that end up as strays or in shelters have escaped from the yard while the owner was away. Our facility has 8’ high perimeter fencing and all guests are continually monitored. Disorders such as bloat, diarrhea and heatstroke need prompt attention. At home accidents such as ingesting household poisons, injuries or bee stings can be fatal if not treated immediately. Boarded pets are continually monitored for early signs of illness or stress by our full-time trained staff. Your pet’s well-being is our 1st priority. Pets requiring regular medication should receive it on schedule and be monitored for side effects. Every effort will be made to keep convalescing pets comfortable, clean, eating and eliminating. Our brand new state-of-the-art facility offers spacious, private indoor/outdoor kennel runs for all of our guests. All kennel runs are cleaned and disinfected every single morning and during the day, if needed. Fresh water is available at all times. We supply quality food at no extra cost (if you prefer, you may bring your own) The indoor facility is climate-controlled with heated floors and fresh air exchange Windows, colorful kennel runs and music in the boarding facility, offer a bright, cheerful atmosphere. Dogs are exercised in our half acre play yard outside (weather permitting) or in our covered play area Social interaction & daily routines that are designed for your pets’ physical, mental, and emotional well being: i.e. individual playtimes, group play activities, good-night treats, midday doggie ice cream and smoked meaty bones to chew on. A daily report is kept on each pet to monitor health, attitude, food intake, medication administered and waste. Full grooming or bath, brush- out and nails are offered to all guests, for an extra charge, on last day of boarding.