I'll be building a small kennel for my own dogs(corgis). Inside 3x4 or 5, outside 3x8, maybe longer, in all likelihood not climate controlled. Do you think it would be worth the extra $$ to add maybe 3 more runs to accomodate boarders during peak holiday seasons? Around here the only place to board dogs is the vet's office, and they fill up fast at peak times. Any thoughts?

-- shakeytails in KY (shakeytails@yahoo.com), January 29, 2002

Answers

If there is a lack of boarding kennels in your area then you could probably make some money boarding dogs. You may want to consider things like insurance, boarding contracts etc....if you are going to board other peoples dogs.

I board dogs here at my house on occassion but only for people that I know. The dogs just play in my fenced yard with my dogs and come in at night to sleep. I usually charge $10 per day plus they bring there own food - when they go to write out the check they have to write out the check to the charity of my choice. Which also means for them that the cost of boarding their dog is tax-deductible.

-- Anita in NC (anitaholton@mindspring.com), January 29, 2002.

We have often considered the same venture as the nearest place to board is about an hour away. Where would we find out about kennel design. Has anyone here done it and have pitfalls to warn against? Kim

-- kim (fleece@eritter.net), January 29, 2002.

I've always wondered about this--are you able to turn away dogs you are afraid of--I mean really--there are some mean dogs!

I'd be interested in knowing how often people had been bitten or hurt by the animals they board.

-- Ann Markson (tngreenacres@hotmail.com), January 29, 2002.

This link may answer some of your questions about kennel designs, Starhawk Enterprises, http://www.northernterritories.com/About% 20Kennels.htm The designs shown on the linked pages to the left are well established working kennel layouts. They may or may not reflect the best scenario for your particular use, but should give an indication of many of the special considerations needed in the design and layout of a workable and comfortable kennel.

-- BC (desertdweller44@yahoo.com), January 29, 2002.

There's a few kennel designs at this site- http://www.horstcompany.com/

I was considering something like the 3-run kennel shown, just a little bigger, and with a fenced yard so my dogs have room to play. Nothing fancy at all. I'm curious as to liability, insurance, etc. for "casual" dog boarding. I can't bring other dogs into my house, because my house dogs(Shar-pei)are not very nice to other dogs. Unless I find that that is a huge need for a boarding kennel in this area(which I don't think there is) , I am really not interested in boarding critters as a full-time venture. My full-time+ job and my own critters keep me busy enough, but a couple extra dogs once in a while wouldn't be much of a problem.

-- shakeytails in KY (shakeytails@yahoo.com), January 29, 2002.

We operate a small boarding kennel. We have 6 runs in our back yard and the dogs are let out 3-4 times per day, owners provide food. You first need to find out of a boarding kennel license is required and what the regulations are for that. For us that means we must have 5 acres, the runs have to meet certain standards, and no barking between 10 pm - 6 am (it has now been changed to no consistant barking (more than 5 minutes anytime during the day or night)). Our license is $225 per year and the insurance for the business another $110. You can generate some income, we made around $12,000 profit last year but you do put up with people and when they show up at your house (regardless if you ask them to let you know an approximate time). You can also end up with very unruly dogs and they usually are the ones that are there for 2-3 weeks. I have had several aggressive dogs and those are usually the ones that the owners say would never do anything, those that tell me there dog has tried to bite the vet, etc I have never had a problem with. It can give you a little extra income, depends on if you want to put up with other peoples dogs. There are some that when they call I simply say, 'Sorry, we are already booked for that time'.

-- Leslie in Western WA (sundaycreek@gnrac.net), January 29, 2002.

Hi, keep in mind insects,parasties and vermin. Fleas,ticks ants, mice, rats etc. You will have to protect dogs from these and have some way to keep one boarder from picking up something from another. Even if you live where there are no fleas or ticks, the dogs who come to board with you will sometimes carry them and your other boarders will be infested as well as your own dogs unless you are very careful. We always insist on a Vet certificate re vaccines and the dogs' owners must pay for a bath and dip for the dog(s). You would not believe the condition that people let their dogs get in. They will pay to board but you can tell the dog has never seen a brush or comb much less shampoo and water! Doesn't sound like it would be worth the trouble for you even if you are zoned for a kennel. Then there is all the disinfecting and cleaning. and "scooping"! You will become an official "pooper trooper!" LOL LQ

-- Little Quacker (carouselxing@juno.com), January 29, 2002.

Leslie pretty much covered everything I was going to say and I don't even have a kennel. Hubby considered doing it, but keep in mind it really can tie you down. Our old neighbors did it and their biggest complaint is that people would show up any time of day or night (regardless of posted hours) to pick up their animal(s), or they wouldn't show up when they were supposed to, therefore tying up kennel space already reserved. Also, kennel licenses vary from state to state, so check our your state's requirements.

I am a professional pet sitter - I go to other people's houses and love it! No mess at home, cheaper insurance and it isn't so time- restrictive. Not sure adding only 3 runs would be cost prohibitive either, unless you are just doing it for people you know.

Just My Two Cents!

-- Lisa in WI (llehman16nospam@hotmail.com), January 29, 2002.

We've run a kennel here for 30+ years. 48 runs 4X5 inside to 4X12 outside covered. Climate controled strick hours of operation between 7 am and 10 pm, which get's bent all the time. You gotta like dogs and really gotta like people. Yes you get visious dogs yes you can turn them away. If they show the trait at the start. Liability insurance is a must $600 for us no claims. We run a closed kennels meaning no tours, yes we lose business from it but we've never been shut down for disease either. Our city humane society just adopted the same policy and it's supported by the American Boarding Kennel Association Yes we make money charging $10 per day we supply food except for special diets. We're cheap BTW but busy. You can't charge for administering meds, that's a veterinary procededure. Most kennels do anyhow. Avoid hired staff, they eat profits fast. There are 6 of us to run things here so do the math to size your kennel. I'll do my best to answer questions if you like.

-- Ross (amulet@istar.ca), January 29, 2002.

Make sure the dogs you are going to board are up to date on their shots, and are healthy. Some people will lie about this if they are desperate to find a kennel for a few days. Best wishes!

-- cowgirlone in OK (cowgirlone47@hotmail.com), January 29, 2002.

I've also heard of people booking their dog in for boarding and never coming to pick it up (most places you pay when you pick up your dog), they used a fake address and telephone number.

This is how I happen to end up with one of my dogs. The owner never picked her up from the vets, I guess figuring the vet would take care of her and find her a new home. Well she got a great home here with me. However, somehow the vet did track down the owner and he was sued for animal abandonment.

-- Anita in NC (anitaholton@mindspring.com), January 29, 2002.

I should add some details now that my hands aren't frozen! :^) Yes do ensure all dogs are vaccinated we need the certificate or we call the clinic to confirm. You can request a deposit or even payment up front. We don't as a rule but there are exceptions. If someone else is picking up the dog besides the owner we need to know at the time of registering, and we ask for photo ID from the person picking up the animal. Cash or cheques for payment have worked well, very few bounced cheques, very few abandoned animals; but it does happen yes. Same rate for all dogs though lot's of places have diffrent rates for diffrnet sized dogs. We tried it, but then there's the arguement over the almost big dogs or almost small dogs. Weighing them solves the problem but adds stress. KISS rule applies as much as possable.
The closed kennel rule has it's advantages far less stress on the dogs, reduced risk of infectious diseases coming in to the kennel, and MUCH cheaper insurance. Buy good comercial insurance, it's worth it. A local kennel got sued when a boarding dog bit a "visitor" and put the place out of business. They had a rider on the home coverage but it wasn't held up by the company. You should be controling who goes where on your farm/homestead anyhow footrot is transmisable by humans on thier feet, so is hoof and mouth, BVD, on and on and on.
It might be better in a smaller kennel to get them to bring the dogs food, it's a pain to deal with 20 diffrent feeds but 8 -10 would be easy enough. You'll need to keep some on hand, but you have Corgis and they likely eat! Toys make the owners feel better, but few dogs play withj them. (You could sell some on guilt for sure!) Old blankies or towels help though but make sure you insist on OLD blankets, we had a dog shred a brand new wool blanket. I'll bet they thought we stole it. Shoulda saved the peices! I'm not trying to put you off the idea just take it seriously. Over-all I like it, but I have been thinking it might be time for a change. Christmas morning here is harried at best, all holidays are like that. You'll be busiest during school holidays remember. You could get time to travel during the off season so that's cheaper. Nov. and Feb are dead months you can count on.

-- Ross (amulet@istaar.ca), January 29, 2002.

I board dogs occassionally at my farm. I have one run which is enclosed in a 16'x32' fenced play yard. I only keep one customer's dog (s) at a time- I will keep more than one if they can stay in the pen together. I walk all dogs for at least one hour every morning and night, plus they are out with me while I work or fool around on my property, so there isn't a whole lot of cleaning up to do. I charge $10/day per dog and the owners supply the food. I will give any medications that are required. All dogs must be on heartworm preventative and some kind of flea control (Advantage, etc). They must be up to date on shots and have a current county license. I require a copy of their vet records, which I photocopy and keep on file- then when it expires they have to bring me the current one. I ran an ad in a local classified publication 4 months ago- it was supposed to run for 4 weeks, but I got so many calls that I pulled the ad after 2 weeks. I am still getting calls from people who saved my number when the ad came out but did not call until they actually needed their pet boarded. Everyone whose pet I have kept has either been back again, or has indicated that they would like to do so. I do not do this to make a lot of money, but because I love dogs and cannot have one of my own due to the fact that I travel for work a lot. I also miss a lot of dog boarding jobs because often I am not available when people need their pet boarded. But, the response has been tremendous- a lot of people really don't want to leave their dog in a commercial kennel. I saw an ad last week for 4 Mason kennels (which are top-quality) for sale for $2000. Supposedly un-used. I am going to call when I get home next week and if they are still available I might buy them, but I think 5 runs is more than enough for me- I don't want to do this for a living! Part-time is fun, though, and I love having a dog to take walking, and I even get paid for it!

Oh, in my county, there is NO license required, but you do have to be inspected, either by an animal control officer or by a vet.

-- Elizabeth (ekfla@aol.com), January 29, 2002.

Thanks for all your replies. I'd already thought of many of the drawbacks, like parasites, poop scooping, and being tied down at major holidays- but heck- with my own horses and dogs I have to deal with that anyway.

One question esp. for Ross,LQ and Elizabeth- Do you have to be there 24/7 when other people's dogs are there? I'd say that better than 90% of the time, at least one of us is home- I work nights, dh works days. But occasionally there is no one home like if I go somewhere for a few hours during the day or during the summer we may both go to a local horse show and be gone from say 5pm to maybe 1 or 2 am. What would you do in this situation- lock up the kennel?

-- shakeytails in KY (shakeytails@yahoo.com), January 30, 2002.

I mentioned there were 6 of us, we never leave the kennels unattended, 24/7. Most have to though and yes they just lock it up. Insist on reservations, insist on knowing when people are going to arrive. Get them to phone ahead. It helps though some unexpected arrivals are going to happen. A perimeter fence around the kennels is a good idea and one more gate you can lock. One more to stop dogs escaping. Call it a play yard! :^) You can also get affordable video camera's, motion sensors (we have some and do they help with arrivals!)and

-- Ross (amulet@istar.ca), January 30, 2002.

I would also add try to be on good terms with your immediate neighbors on this, maybe an agreement to look after their animals for free for so many days per year (yes, in writing on both sides).

Your neighbors can get you shut down if they feel your charges are too noisy, smelly or whatever. This goes for any business that your neighbors can know about.

I would also ask for their advice before you start investing any more money. Some neighbors will be thrilled, others will not be at first, but maybe you can work out some compromises beforehand. Good luck.

-- GT (nospam@nospam.com), January 30, 2002.