Boarding Kennel Question

My sister and I were walking our dogs in a popular spot yesterday when we came across some posted signs stating " My dog died at ______ Kennels.
We wondered what could have happened, discussed how tragic this would be.. to lose your pet while you were away,and how terrible for those caring for your pet.
I decided today to advise the boarding facility of these posters. Its' bad PR - I felt they should at least know. Maybe it wasnt even true. The owner stated it was actually good pr, they stood by their reputation, and though it did happen, it was a case of a woman who could not deal with her grief. The dog was not transferred to a vet, though - something I found odd.
I've never used the services of a boarding kennel.
What is the typical procedure if there is a medical emergency?
And are the kennel owners liable for any bills if they transfer a sick animal to their vet without receiving your ok to do so?
Do you sign a waiver absolving them of legal responsibility?
What if there 'was" any neglience - what recourse would a person have?
I'm not aware of any governing body that regulates the operation of pet boarding facilitiies.Is there one?

In this instance only the individuals know exactly what happened, the circumstances that lead to this tragic event. They obviously dont agree.

Your animal could certainly become ill/ injured or even die while in the care of another, but there would be many questions that would need answering no doubt.

I've never considered this frightening aspect before, but I will certainly cover it in depth if I ever do use a pet boarding facility.

I worked part time with a boarding kennel years ago.

there one was a dog that suffered bloat in the kennels care, it was rushed to the vet that the kennel dealt with immediately, and ultimately died.

I dont knwo for sure how it all panned out, but I think the vet bill was paid by the kennel, and I dont think the owner had ill will, i think they realised there was nothing more the kennel could do apart from what they already had done.


Eleni

The kennel I worked at made you sign a waiver stating that you agree to all the medical care in the event of an emergency. Quite a few kennels have a vet on call, but you have to check first.

This can be hard because the kennel I worked for as well as the majority of others do not feed the dogs like you recommend. The kennel I worked for fed all the dogs once a day because it made for less mess.

I tell you, I want to open a kennel sometime in the future and I will have all the things that the kennels I have seen so far are missing. I will have webcams so wherever you are you can check up on your dog. I will feed them the way you tell me to, and let them play as much as possible. I have such a hard time with kennels that I visit because they are all a good show for the owner but no fun for the dog. I mean your dog may be ok, but running in a giant indoor room vs running outside with trees and birds and wind.... I don't like the idea of two walks a day for 10 minutes or the fact that they think I am an overreacting pet mommy (which they think of a lot of pet owners who have specific details for their dog...) I want to go to a kennel, be respected because I know my dog better than anyone and feel good about how the dog will live while I am away. Owners worry like mad and the kennel personnel shouldn't brush it off.

I have told kennels that my big Boo is sensitive and gets violently ill from chicken and has anxiety attacks. They have all told me "Dogs are different when the owner is not around". Maybe so, but it won't stop him from being anxious and throwing up all night, will it? If we sleep anywhere but home, he throws up all night. Don't tell me how my dog will be.

Sorry, I got into a bit of a rant there...

Does that answer anything?

Thanks for that info. Prin.. some great ideas you have there! A webcam would be fantastic, a calming reassurance for the owners. And the diet is another thing that is SO important. This is the thing about kennels, the dog is "ok", but the whole thing must be mostly a trying ordeal for many.

I didnt ask or expect to hear "the story" when calling the kennels on this one animal death. I only wanted to advise them them of the negative flyers up in the dog walking areas.
To my suprise, he offered some details -which for me.. raised more questions than it answered.. and left me wondering about kennel policies in general.

According to him, the dog - a 10-yr old border collie that was extremely overweight from a diet of cat food..began "shutting down". I am not sure what this means exactly. He said he then called the contact person.. (owners not reachable) who said the dog had been shutting down for years and maybe it was "just as well".
He couldnt transfer the dog to a vet as he would have been stuck with a large bill, he said..
I would have thought that in every case, an animal would be rushed for emergency treatment - if nothing else.. just to cover themselves.. that they did all they could.
I didnt really understand the scenario, but didnt want to pry with a bunch of questions on a private matter.
This was apparently the third round of flyers, though the dog died at their facility in April/04.
He said they are a highly reccomended facility, and approved by many local vets.
A senior overweight dog would certainly pose a higher risk for underlying health conditions, and being away from its people would be an added strain as well.
To either leave it..or accept it.. would be pause for thought, I'd say.

Whenever a cherished pet dies, there is always the phase of.." if only".."what if".. did I do enough?"
If you were not present.. you would naturally wonder.."did THEY do enough?

In this instance, only certain thing is that it would be a nightmare come true for all parties. :sad:

I don't know about anybody else, but if it were me, I'd foot the bill rather than let it weigh on my conscience. Working at a kennel, I got attached so fast to the dogs there and you are responsible for them while they are there. I hate contact people because they are not YOU. Like I know my dad would put Boo down for gastric torsion if he was in charge but I wouldn't. You have to really only put a contact person who shares your views and discuss in detail what you think is acceptible treatment and what it too much.

My kennel has the name of my vet (and they know where they are) and two contacts who will authorize payment of medical expenses if the vet thinks the cost is too high.

The few times I have had to board a pet in my lifetime has always been with the animal hospital I was either a client on record or employed with. I would not do this any other way. They already know what my wishes are and know my pet. (Plus well equipted)

Gee, if when my kids where young and their pediatrician offered baby sitting services I would always use them! * for example*

I have to say the kennel that we took Timber too when we had him. Was wonderful. They knew what dogs he got along with and would let them out to romp together, the owners even gave him a bath, brushed out his shedding malamute coat completely and made him all pretty, bow and all when we brought him there to stay (this was free of charge and a total surprise to us) while my second son was born.