A WSB-TV report published November 13 raises a difficult question for Georgia pet owners: how much can a family learn about a kennel’s history before leaving an animal there?
The station reported concerns from owners who said their dogs were lost or died while in kennel care. Their experiences put the focus on transparency, oversight and the information families need before making a reservation.
Georgia’s Department of Agriculture offers several starting points. Its Companion Animal Program regulates licensed kennels, and the agency’s pets page links to a search tool for licensed boarders, groomers and trainers.
Check the business name and physical address, rather than relying only on a familiar social-media account. A current license is a starting point for your research; it cannot promise that no future incident will occur.
Ask the facility for its latest inspection report and an explanation of any problems that required correction. The state says completed investigation outcomes can be requested through its open-records process, while information about ongoing investigations is not available through that route.
The agency’s kennel information sheet also lists required records. These include an owner’s contact information, animal intake and departure dates, and details about veterinary visits. When an animal dies, the record must include the date, owner’s name and cause of death if known.
Before booking, ask who is on site overnight, how medication is tracked, how animals are separated and what happens if a dog becomes ill or escapes. Request the emergency-veterinary and owner-notification procedures in writing.
Keep a copy of your boarding agreement, feeding and medication instructions, vaccination paperwork and emergency contacts. Those documents can help establish what care was requested and who is authorized to make decisions.
If your animal is missing, contact local animal control or law enforcement promptly. Concerns about a business licensed or required to be licensed by the state can also be submitted through the Department of Agriculture’s complaint process.
A booking website can show a polished facility. Asking specific questions and checking the records gives a family more information before handing over the leash.
Start with Georgia’s license-search links, kennel record requirements and complaint process.
Photos: Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA)
Leave a Reply