Pick a kennel that minimizes pet's stress

When Dr. Joel Kaye boarded his dachshund, Oscar, the dog would come home from the kennel wagging his tail, freshly bathed, and dragging a potholder. The man who ran the facility joked that the pet had made the oven mitt ``in an arts-and-craft project."

``That attention made you go back," said Kaye, who heads the department for general medicine at Angell Animal Medical Centers , which also has a kennel in Jamaica Plain for its patients. ``You knew the dog was well-cared-for. They had someone there 24 hours a day. That was an example of a well-run kennel."

Of course, not every pet owner is so lucky. So how does one sort through the dog or cat boarding options when vacations or business trips loom?

Kaye believes the first consideration should always be to try to find someone to stay at your own home with the pet, which will always be happier in a familiar environment.

``I try to tell clients not to board," Kaye said. ``That would be optimal over boarding but sometimes you can't do that."

If that doesn't work, narrow the kennel search by asking other pet owners for recommendations. Visit the facility before booking it, ask to see the grounds, including where the pets stay; Kaye says some refuse to do this and that should be a red flag.

The facility should be clean, always provide water, and administer any special diets the pet may be on. Cats should be kept in enclosed spaces -- where they can't hear or see dogs -- and have scratching posts or something to climb to keep from getting bored. Dogs should have enough room to be comfortable while resting, with a running area or a regular walk provided by the staff.

Check the facility with the Better Business Bureau. Most kennels have no special accreditation, although some receive a designation from the American Boarding Kennels Association if they apply voluntarily.

Kaye suggests inquiring whether there is someone at the facility around the clock. He says it's preferable to have the animals checked at least once a night. Do they have a vet on site? If not, are they affiliated with a vet in case of an emergency?

As for cost, expect to pay about $20 per day, which can vary slightly depending on the size of the pet and the amenities provided.

Some kennels even offer training, grooming, or extended walks.

Once you decide on a kennel, it's best to bring your pet for a one-night stay, just to see how the animal adjusts to being there.

``Some dogs thrive in the kennel. They interact with other dogs," Kaye said. ``Other dogs, you have to drag them in there screaming. It really depends on their personality."

Afterward, ask for a report on the pet's behavior. Some kennels offer a log of how much the dog or cat ate, if it got along well with others, or if it seemed strung out.

Often, even under the best circumstances, pets come home with stress-related physical ailments, especially dogs. ``Cats," Kaye said, ``seem to deal with it better."