Pets have become such an important part of our lives that we try to take them with us everywhere we go, unfortunately there are some situations where we need to find an alternative solution. Occasionally, pet owners will choose to circumvent this situation by traveling with their pet, which can lead to vacations gone bad, thanks to travel-induce pet illness, hotel restrictions on pets, and runaway pets. Often neighbors or friends are asked to care for a pet, but being good-intentioned does not equal being knowledgeable about the pets. There is usually disappointment upon return. Pets often escape or run away from these situations. Worse, they can become ill because the caretakers do not have the training or education to deal with the animal's health issues.

Safe, secure and entertained! There is another alternative available when pet care is required, and thankfully, most pet owners will choose to utilize a professional boarding kennel when they need someone else to care for their animal. Experienced boarding kennels provide safe and dependable care for over 30,000,000 pets annually with full-time, knowledgeable staff who work with your pet to provide it with the very best care possible.

Because competent, ethical boarding kennels are an important part of your pet care program, and because the selection of a boarding kennel can be a confusing and disconcerting process for pet owners, the American Boarding Kennels Association (ABKA) has assembled this data to assist you in evaluating, selecting, and working with your local boarding kennel.