Booking a pet boarding facility usually comes down to two things: a nice website and a convenient location. But the facilities with the shiniest photos aren’t always the ones giving your dog or cat the safest care while you’re gone.
The good news? A five-minute phone call before you book can tell you almost everything you need to know — if you ask the right questions. Here are the five that separate a well-run kennel from one you’ll regret choosing.
1. “What’s your staff-to-pet ratio, especially overnight?”
This is the single most revealing question you can ask, and it’s the one most facilities hope you skip. A daytime lobby full of friendly staff means nothing if there’s one person supervising forty animals overnight.
What a good answer sounds like: A specific number, not a vague “we have plenty of staff.” Reputable facilities can tell you exactly how many people are on-site during overnight hours and what their responsibilities are.
Red flag: Deflecting with “we check on them regularly” without a number attached.
2. “What happens if my pet needs emergency vet care while I’m away?”
Search “pet boarding near me” and most listings advertise cozy suites and playtime — almost none mention their emergency protocol front and center. But accidents and sudden illness don’t wait for pickup day.
Ask specifically:
- Is there a vet on-call or on-site, or do staff have to drive the animal somewhere?
- Will they call you immediately, or only after treating the issue?
- Who authorizes emergency spending if you’re unreachable?
Red flag: A facility that can’t name a specific vet or clinic they work with.
3. “Can I see where my pet will actually sleep and play?”
Front lobbies are for customers; back kennels are for pets — and the two spaces can look very different. Any legitimate boarding facility should offer a tour of the real space, not just the reception area.
Look for:
- Clean, dry bedding and no strong ammonia smell (a sign of infrequent cleaning)
- Secure fencing with no visible gaps or worn latches
- Separation between anxious/aggressive animals and calmer ones
Red flag: Any hesitation or excuse about “insurance reasons” for not showing you the kennel area. Reputable places want you to see it.
4. “What’s your vaccination and health-screening policy?”
This question isn’t really about your pet — it’s about protecting them from every other animal in the building. Kennel cough, parvo, and other illnesses spread fast in shared spaces.
A trustworthy facility will:
- Require proof of core vaccinations for every boarded animal, no exceptions
- Ask about recent illness or exposure before intake
- Have a clear isolation protocol if a pet shows symptoms during their stay
Red flag: A facility that accepts your pet “as long as you say they’re vaccinated” without ever seeing records.
5. “What’s included, and what costs extra?”
The advertised nightly rate is rarely the final bill. Grooming and boarding pricing pages are notorious for hidden fees that only show up at pickup.
Ask upfront about:
- Feeding your pet’s own food vs. house food (often an added fee)
- Medication administration charges
- Extra walks, playtime, or one-on-one attention
- Late pickup fees if your flight gets delayed
Red flag: A facility that’s vague about pricing or won’t give you a written estimate before drop-off.
Grooming Deserves the Same Scrutiny
If your boarding stay includes grooming services (or you’re booking grooming separately), apply the same standard: ask who handles the clippers, whether pets are restrained safely, and what happens if a pet becomes distressed mid-groom. A rushed, high-volume grooming operation is where nicks, cuts, and unnecessary stress most often happen.
The Bottom Line
A great boarding or grooming facility won’t flinch at any of these five questions — they’ll actually welcome them, because it means you’re a careful, engaged pet owner. The ones that dodge, deflect, or get defensive are telling you everything you need to know before you ever hand over the leash.
