Here are some tips on selecting a boarding/daycare facility:

Locate a few facilities that are in convenient location by using:

• Yellow Pages
• Internet
• Recommendations of other dog parents

Interview the facility:

• Ask if the facility can accommodate your dog
• Find out how long they have been in business
• Ask for references
• Find out price, hours,boarding requirements and policies
• If your dog has a special need, ask if they accommodate
• Ask if you can visit the facility before you schedule the boarding

Visit the facility:

• Check the cleanness and smell of the entire place
• Check out the areas your dog spends time (sleeping area, play area, outdoor pen, etc.)
• Check out facility staff and their interaction with dogs
• Find out the daily routine (how often does your dog go out, feeding schedule, etc.)
• Find out the facility’s supervision and safety procedures

Before making a final decision:

• Check references
• Check with Better Business Bureau for any complaints against the facility

When should I look for a veterinarian?
If you are thinking about getting a dog, it is better to look for a veterinarian before you actually acquire a dog, so that you will have more time for your new dog later. Moreover, the veterinarian may be able to give you advice on selecting/finding your new dog.

If you have a dog and just happened to move to a new area, begin searching for a new veterinarian immediately. Do not wait until your dog actually needs one. Ask your current veterinarian for a recommendation. Be sure to transfer medical history from your previous veterinarian to your new veterinarian.

How do I find the right veterinarian?
One of the easiest and most trustworthy ways to find the right veterinarian is to ask people who are responsible pet care givers; your friends, family members, neighbors, local humane society workers, groomers, breeders, etc. Ask them specific reasons why they recommend that particular veterinarian to see if their recommendations meet what you expect from the veterinarian.

You may also use the internet to look up veterinarians. Use credible sources such as national or state based veterinary medical association web sites.

You may want to select several veterinarians. Once you’ve narrowed your selection, visit with each veterinarian to make sure what he/she offers meet your expectation. While you are visiting, consider asking/checking following:

• Location

Is the location convenient to you? It is close enough to get to quickly in case of an emergency?

• Hours

Does hours fit your schedule?

• Facility

Is it clean and well-organized? Do you notice unpleasant odors?

• Staff

How many veterinarians are in the practice? Who covers the practice when your veterinarian is not available? Are technicians and assistants friendly, caring, courteous, etc…? Do they dress and act professionally?

• Fees

Are fees in your budget? What method of payment do they accept? If you have pet health insurance, do they take it?

• Services

What is the range of services? Do they provide non-medical services you may want to use (such as boarding and grooming)? Do they have an emergency service?

Here are some things to consider…

• Your Lifestyle

Selecting a dog that matches your life style is very important. For instance, if you are living in a small apartment, a dog that is large and high energy is not the best choice. However, if you are active/athletic and have a large yard, this type of dog can be the best match for you.

• Dog’s Age – Puppy or Adult?

You must admit – it is hard to resist those cute cuddly puppies with droopy eyes. However, puppies usually require much more attention than older dogs. You will need a lot of time and patience – housetraining and correcting unwanted behaviors such as chewing and jumping. The advantage of getting a puppy is that you can be sure that he/she receives proper care during puppy hood, such as proper nutrition and socialization.

Getting a more mature dog can bring as much joy as getting a puppy. The major advantage of getting an older dog is that the dog is usually already housebroken and passed the destructive chewing phase. Some dogs may take a little longer to adjust to new surroundings at first, but with just a little patience, he/she will soon become a wonderful part of your family.

• Purebred or Mixed Breed?

If you are planning to compete in dog shows or looking for a breed with specific characteristic, you would probably want to find a reputable breeder or contact a purebred rescue group for that breed. Animal shelters also have many purebreds. The American Kennel Club is an excellent source of finding out about purebreds. All purebreds have specific breed standards. Therefore, if you get a purebred puppy, you will have a good idea on his/her size, appearance and temperament.

Mixed breeds are combinations of different breeds, so if you can tell the predominant breed of a mixed-breed puppy, you can still predict his/her physical and behavioral traits. Mixed breeds have combined traits of different breeds, thus they are more likely to be free from breed specific health problems.