Good investigating, Souraya! I work PT at my friend's kennel and you seem to have hit all the major points. Did you mention if they required proof of vaccinations? Most kennels require up to date records of bortadella (kennel cough) distemper and rabies.
My BIG thing with kennels is this: Are they hard wired to their house, or the police, fire dept. in the case of fire?? Do they have a sprinkler system inside the kennel?? I know of 2 kennel fires on Cape Cod over the past years. All dogs perished because
1. No sprinkler system
2. Though they had "smoke detectors" in the kennel, the kennel was so far from the house that it wasn't until the kennel was in flames that the owner's were alerted.
Also, since it's dark by around 4:30 pm in December, you might want to ask them when the doors are shut for the day and when "lights out" is. In some kennels, during wintertime, the dogs are given a "last check" and left inside without lights from late afternoon (5pm or so) until around 8am!!
What arrangements are in place in case of an emergency? Will they transport Drake to your vet or treat him themselves? Will they contact you? I would insist that you be notified in the case of any injury or illness.
Also, I'm sure you know to check for adequate, sturdy, fencing, gates that lock from entryways, etc. Also, check to see if the outside doors of the kennels are latched securely and can be secured with a lock of sorts. Lots of dogs are what we call "latch lifters" and can actually lift the arm up off of chain link doors with their noses, climb low fences and escape! Also, being on the look out in the kennels for any broken wires, metal sheeting that's lifting and has sharp edges etc. LOTS of dog end up getting small cuts and scrapes from those thiings.
Good Luck! This kennel sounds like a good one though!
And Sammi... YES! Many dogs actually DO come with their own bottled water!!(Mostly the little guys!)
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