How to Choose the Best Kennel or Cattery for Your Pet
Recent Trends
Pet boarding demand has risen steadily since the pandemic-era pet adoption surge, with many facilities reporting full bookings during peak travel seasons several weeks in advance. Owners increasingly seek webcam access, medication administration services, and separate playgroups for shy or senior animals. A growing number of kennels and catteries now offer live video feeds as a paid upgrade, while others require proof of behavioral assessments before accepting new clients.
Background
The animal boarding industry operates under varying state and local licensing rules. Most jurisdictions mandate clean water, appropriate shelter, and feeding schedules, but standards for staffing ratios, exercise time, and emergency preparedness differ. Traditional boarding relied on individual runs or cages with set feeding times. Modern facilities often include climate-controlled suites, outdoor paddocks, and specialized separation of dogs and cats to reduce stress. Vaccination records for rabies, distemper, and kennel cough (or feline equivalents) are universally required, with bordetella boosters increasingly common.
- Licensing: Check with your local animal control or agricultural department for current requirements; unlicensed operations may lack insurance.
- Staff qualifications: Look for certified pet care technicians or veterinary technician presence on-site.
- Emergency plans: Facilities should have written protocols for illness, injury, fire, and natural disasters.
User Concerns
Pet owners consistently prioritize safety, hygiene, and how staff handle anxious animals. Common complaints include inadequate supervision during group play, missed medication doses, and kennel cough outbreaks from poor isolation practices. Pricing typically ranges from moderate to high per night depending on accommodation tier, add-on services, and location. Many owners report that a trial day visit or overnight test stay helps gauge how their pet adjusts.
- Cleanliness: Look for visible cleaning schedules, odor control, and separation of feeding and sleeping areas.
- Staff interaction: Ask about staff-to-pet ratios during busy periods and whether the same caregiver handles your pet daily.
- Medical readiness: Confirm that your pet’s vaccinations are current and that the facility accepts flea/tick prevention records.
- Pick-up/drop-off times: Some kennels enforce strict windows; late fees can add unexpected costs.
Likely Impact
Industry consolidation is expected as small, independent kennels struggle to meet rising insurance costs and regulatory updates. Technology adoption—such as automated booking systems, GPS-monitored walks for dogs, and IoT-enabled climate controls—will likely become standard in mid- to upscale facilities. Prices may increase by a broad percentage range over the next few years as labor shortages persist and pet-care premiums rise. Owners who book early and secure vaccination appointments in advance are less likely to face last-minute shortages.
What to Watch Next
Pet insurance companies are beginning to partner with accredited boarding networks, potentially offering discounted rates for policyholders. Look for more kennels and catteries to adopt telemedicine partnerships for after-hours veterinary consultations. Standardized certifications (e.g., from the Pet Care Services Association or International Boarding and Pet Services Association) may become a stronger factor in marketing. Local animal welfare groups are also advocating for mandatory inspection reports to be posted publicly, which could increase transparency in the coming years.