WASHINGTON — If you’re choosing a kennel for your pet, asking the right questions and comparison shopping can save a lot of money.
According to an evaluation by Washington Consumers’ Checkbook, boarding a medium-sized dog for a week can cost between $147 and $455 — and that doesn’t even count extras.
“Some of these kennels charge $3 a pill to administer a pill, or $10 to $12 a day for extra attention or extra exercise,” says Checkbook executive editor Kevin Brasler.
Before deciding whether a particular kennel is right for your pet, you might want to request a look around. Key questions to consider are, “Do they have enough space? Does it pass the sniff test?”
The smell test question is more than a metaphor. If the kennel keeping a lot of dogs, it might smell a little bit. “But it shouldn’t smell overly bad,” Brasler says. “It should be clean.”
Animals should be well contained. This not only prevents them from escaping, but keeps them from harming each other, Brasler says.
If you’re not a fan of kennels, consider hiring a professional. Pet sitters who care for pets in your home can cost two or three times what a kennel charges, but it still might be a good deal.
“A lot of these pet sitters don’t charge per pet; they charge per day,” Brasler says. “The kennels charge per pet.”
