Leaving your furry friend in the care of a dog boarder can be a convenient and reliable option when you need to travel or be away from home. However, ensuring that your dog is in safe hands goes beyond just finding a reputable boarder. It's essential to inquire about their protocols for handling first aid and emergencies to guarantee your pet's well-being. In this blog, we'll discuss key questions to ask your dog boarder regarding first aid and emergency preparedness.
It never fails that sooner or later, an unexpected issue arises that needs consultation with you -the owner, sometimes your veterinarian (and on a rare occasion, an emergency clinic). It’s important to do your due diligence before the situation arises so you know that your dog boarder is aligned with your expectations and has experience and credentials to handle the unexpected.
Here is a checklist of items to ask your provider during your meet and greet:
1. What First Aid Training and Certifications Do You Have?
Inquire about the boarder's knowledge and training in pet first aid and CPR. Trained providers are better equipped to handle emergencies and provide immediate care to your dog if needed. Check to see if your provider has completed the American Red Cross certification for canines.
2. Do You Have a Comprehensive First Aid Kit?
Ensure that the dog boarder maintains a well-stocked first aid kit specifically tailored for canine emergencies. Ask about the contents of the kit and whether it includes essentials such as gauze pads, antiseptic wipes, bandages, scissors, tweezers, and emergency contact information. Additional supplies to give an A+ for readiness is styptic powder to stop bleeding and a poison kit (for example, activated charcoal and rinse bottles for cane toad interactions).
3. How Do You Monitor the Health and Safety of Dogs in Your Care?
Inquire about the boarder's procedures for monitoring dogs' well-being during their stay. Do they conduct regular health checks? Is there someone home most of the day or do they have cameras to monitor your pup when away for short errands? Also, will your dog sleep in the same room as your provider in the event of issues overnight? Dogs, like toddlers, need constant attention.
4. What Steps Do You Take in Case of an Emergency?
Discuss the boarder's protocols for handling various emergencies, such as injuries, illnesses, or natural disasters. Ask about their communication procedures with pet owners and make sure you leave a designated local emergency point of contact information with your boarder. If you are going out of the country, ask your boarder what app they use to communicate internationally – WhatsApp is a useful tool for communication.
5. Are You Affiliated with a Veterinary Clinic or Emergency Service?
It's crucial to know if the dog boarder has established connections with veterinary clinics or emergency services in the event of a medical emergency. Ask for the contact information of the nearest veterinary facility and whether they have a transportation plan in place if immediate veterinary care is required. Additionally, make sure that the boarder is willing to transport your pup to your veterinarian for non-emergencies as needed and as discussed with you. Your dog will be the most comfortable with its own doctor just like a person, but the caretaker should never hesitate to go to an emergency veterinarian for significant issues. Also ask if they have corporate support such as Rover – Rover provides excellent emergency support and response to ensure your provider can assess and react to the situation immediately and appropriately.
6. How Do You Handle Special Medical Needs or Medications?
If your dog requires special medical attention or medications, discuss these requirements with the boarder in advance. Ensure they are capable of administering medications and following any specific care instructions provided by your veterinarian. Not all providers will offer this service, so be sure to find one who will and be diligent in the administration of the medications. Some providers will charge extra for administration of medications, so be sure to ask that question.
7. Can You Provide References or Testimonials Regarding Your Emergency Preparedness?
Request references from other pet owners who have utilized the dog boarder's services during emergencies. Positive testimonials and experiences can offer reassurance regarding their commitment to pet safety and well-being. Your provider should be able to provide examples of various issues that have happened and how they responded to each. Hopefully the list is small, but it’s inevitable if the boarder is reputable and has been in business for a while.
Conclusion:
As responsible pet owners, it's our duty to ensure that our dogs receive the best possible care, even when we're not around. By asking pertinent questions about first aid and emergency procedures, you can make an informed decision when selecting a dog boarder for your furry companion. Remember, proactive communication and thorough vetting are key to ensuring a safe and comfortable experience for your beloved pet while they're away from home.
At IDOTOO, we are trained in American Red Cross Canine First Aid and have encountered emergencies through the years with both our dogs and a few of our boarders. We have found that communication with the pet owners as soon as possible is very important, and the additional support of Rover is exceptional at the time of the issue. Our issues have stemmed from a long term stay senior dog becoming very sick quickly (poor pup had invasive cancer) to excessive bleeding due to a known condition on a pup’s paw. In all cases, the dog’s care should come first with a detailed discussion with you, the owner. We find the owners are very appreciative of a collaborative approach to immediate care needs. Reviewing this checklist with your provider will give you a good idea of how prepared they are in an emergency and will treat your pup like their own.
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