We don't have any top quality boarding facilities here.  I just use my vet but I hate to leave my poor doggies in 'prison'....I imageine how that must feel for them.

I had to board my cat in a "pet hotel" a couple years ago (in Laguna Niguel, actually!) and was impressed at how much the facilities cared for the animals. In fact, my cat's "room" was nicer than many hotels I've stayed at during my travels... ;-)

Good Advice.  I am glad I have a relative that takes care of my little one when I go away.  And I have offers from quite a few people to take care of him when we go away.  I sure miss him though when I am away without him. :(

Rose:  Very good advice for sure.  Fortunately, I never had to leave my dog in a kennel but I would certainly check it out before I did.  I think leaving your dog for one night is an excellent idea,  especially for someone who has just gotten a new dog. 

Rose-great information and I agree with Donna and you both...great idea to give it a "test ride" to see how they do...so far my Miss Hannah has always gone with us, but just in case I do have to leave her I will keep this in mine...thanks so much for sharing!

Hello Rose: That's a really good idea you shared about letting your dog spend the night at least once before boarding them for an entire vacation.  Helping them understand that you are coming back to get them would be great to alieve their anxiety.

I wish that I'd thought of that before, my Cocker Spaniel Coco knows what's up when we pull into the parking lot at the boarding Kennel.  She has a great memory and she HATES being boarded.  She always goes on a hunger strike when we leave her.  Fortunately, we don't have to board her often. Either my mom or my daughters watch her most of the time when we go out of town.

Rose, I have never left my dog anywhere because she does not get along with other dogs and she is not good in strange places so we just don't go anywhere!  Fortunately, we live in a fun place and can have a "vacation" just by taking a drive to the Strip and catching a show. 

Rose - that is great advice.  Leaving the dog a night prior to the trip so he will know you are coming back for him.  I had to leave my dog overnight at the vet and he about had a nervous breakdown.  He just had never been away from me and felt abandoned.  Thanks

Kay, Leaving your dog at the vet is not a bad thing.  Dogs don't think the same way humans do and it's very likely your doggie doesn't think of it as a prison.  At my vet's boarding facility, the staff is constantly in and out of the boarding section, giving the dogs more attention than they may receive elsewhere.  I would ask the staff at you vet's when you pick your dog up how she behaved.  Watch your dog closely when you bring her home for any signs of trauma or lingering stress and let that be your guide.  Some dogs  just don't take to being boarded so you may want to find a good pet sitter and try that for a day.  Good luck!

Carey, you're lucky to have found a good facility for your kittie.  Which one was it?  I'd like to add it to my list of recommended facilities.

April, you're lucky to have family & friends to take you pets while you're away. I used to trade favors with my neighbors, but now that I have four pets, it's too much to ask of anyone.  I use a great pet sitter that I found on the Pet Sitters International site.  I insisted she come & meet the dogs first mostly because my male terrier is very protective & I wanted him to know it was okay for her to come in the house.  I also to see if she would be able to handle him.  It takes a strong person to handle a male terrier on his territory.