Geriatic doggies kennel suggestions

[pkitty]

Thought I'd post to see if anyone can suggest a reliable kennel in the Barrie area that is willing to take good care of 2 old timers (14 and 15 years old). They both have meds that they have to take daily and are a little on the fragile side so I just want to make sure that they are secure while we are away. Our trip 2 years ago we came back at 4 am to a 1200.00 vet bill and a dobie who ended up dying in surgery that afternoon. Not the fault of the dog sitter at all, she was wonderful and did all the right things but that dog was only 7 and she doesn't want to risk looking after the old guys for fear of a repeat. So I need to book something reliable in the next couple of weeks? Any suggestions? (my husband has a few but there all unsavoury...bad dh...we've had these two longer than our dd!)
Thanks!

 

[sammi]

Would your veterinarian be able to board them? I know alot of vet's here do boarding and it's nice to know that they are being cared for by a Dr. We 've been looking for a pet sitter for our 2 cats just to come in and feed them a couple of times a day and I was at my vet's on Friday and I inquired if they knew anyone and they have one of their assistant's that do this so that will be helpful for us in the future.

I hope you find someone reliable and so sorry to hear about your other dog. It's sad when we have to leave our pets and I can understand that you're concerned being that they are older dogs. Good luck!

 

[KerriMc]

I noted you are in Wasaga Beach, but there is a great kennel just north of Barrie (kind or Oro area). It is called the Royal Pets Hotel. They will keep both or your guys together, as they did when we left our dogs a few years ago to go to the Barbados. They are an older Scottish couple and they are very nice people. They have a building for dogs and a building for cats. The dogs are in rooms with heat or a/c, radio, and individual runs. They go for walks each day a couple of times. They have raised beds on the floor so it isn't too cold for them

I don't have the number off hand ... if you need it let me know. I don't know if they have a website either ... sorry

Kerri

ps I just checked the phone book and their website is www.royalpetshotel.com . Good luck

 

[pkitty]

Thanks Kerri. I took a look using your link and it looks great! I hope I can get them in! I use to keep them at our vet however I am just concerned about the concrete flooring... my standard poodle has arthritis and even with good bedding he is prone to falls. Hopefully this is the ticket!

 

[KerriMc]

I hope it works out for you

Last year when we went we had to leave our nervous and timid dog (she was an abused shelter dog). We decided to try a new kennel, which was also a nice place (not for geriatric dogs though .. it wasn't as peaceful!!). Poor Abby thought we'd abandoned her, as someone has obviously done in the past as she was a stray. So we came home to a dog that took about a month to turn back into our loveable, friendly girl. Poor thing!! So I know how important it is to make sure your beloved pets are properly cared for while away. I highly recommend the Royal Pets Hotel and wish I had left Abby there as the people are so kind and gentle. (not that they weren't good to her where we left her!). This year, friends up the street have offered to take her for the week. Her doggie "boyfriend" lives there, so she will be in heaven!!

Good luck ... believe me these people are great!!

Kerri

 

[wenabre]

Do you know anyone with a son or daughter who is looking for extra money and is very trustworthy. I have my friends' daughter stay with my herd and it always works out well. The animals are happy as they are in their own home, my house has someone in it, so mail and papers are brought in and the young lady makes some money to help her at university.
If you don't know anyone try asking at your vets, maybe a student works there as part of a co-op. Or you could try at a church someone from a youth group. There are a lot of young people looking for extra $$, who are quite trustworthy.
Have a nice holiday.

 

[surfer_ed]

I have never used it myself, but I have a friend who recommended Royal Pets when i first moved to ON.

I have 2 Duck Tollers and we occassionally need to board them if our main sitter is not free. I know Royackers in Guelph is awesome but it is not handy your location.

 

[LoriLea]

You mentioned that the previous dog sitter didn't want to risk a repeat. I know exactly how she feels. In September we watched my parent's 14yr old schnauzer and after 2 days she wound up at the vet's and that's where she stayed until they got home. My parents came home from a cruise to a $900 vet bill and a sick dog.
My parent's are now in Belgium (last minute trip to visit an ailing godmother). My dad was going to stay home to look after the dog as he didn't want to put us through the stress of looking after her again. I said that we would take care of her for the 2 weeks as long as he made arrangements with the vet before hand in the event that she became ill again. That way we wouldn't have to make a decision. Perhaps you could make the same arrangement with your vet and your previous sitter would feel more at ease.

Good luck!

 

[pkitty]

I was thinking about possibly talking to my sitter and letting her know that I would be making arangements with my vet as to what to do in case of emergency. Last time was a shocker that's for sure and none of us could have predicted this happening (turned out my dobie has liver cancer and simply masked his symptoms until the very end...he was out for a 3 km run through the woods the day he died and was acting like a puppy) I could try making my parents unofficial guardians and leave the final decisions to them with repect to how much medical treatment to pursue. Still milling it over?! Thanks for all the sugestions everyone!