School's Out for Summer... But Is Your Boarding Kennel & Cattery Ready?

Summer holidays are almost here, and for many families that means packing suitcases, planning adventures and arranging somewhere safe for the four-legged members of the family to stay.

For boarding kennels and catteries, it's one of the busiest periods of the year. With a constant flow of pets arriving and leaving, maintaining excellent biosecurity has never been more important.

As pet owners, we often focus on reviews, facilities, exercise routines and making sure vaccinations are up to date. But one area that's often overlooked is the measures a boarding establishment has in place to help prevent the spread of infectious disease.

Good biosecurity protects every animal in their care and gives owners confidence that their pet is staying in a safe, well-managed environment.

What is biosecurity?

Biosecurity is simply a set of procedures designed to reduce the risk of infectious diseases spreading between animals.

In a boarding environment, where pets from different households are housed in close proximity, these procedures are vital. Diseases such as kennel cough, canine parvovirus, feline calicivirus and feline herpesvirus can spread quickly if effective hygiene measures aren't in place.

Whilst vaccination significantly reduces the risk of disease, no preventative measure is 100% effective. That's why vaccination and good biosecurity should always go hand in hand.

Questions every pet owner should ask

A reputable boarding facility should be happy to explain its cleaning and infection control procedures. If they take biosecurity seriously, they'll welcome the opportunity to discuss them.

Here are some useful questions to ask before booking.

1. How are kennels & enclosures cleaned and disinfected between guests?

Cleaning and disinfection are not the same thing.

Cleaning removes dirt, organic matter and debris. Only once this has been removed can a disinfectant work effectively.

Ask how each kennel is cleaned between occupants and whether every area, including floors, walls, doors, bedding areas and feeding stations is included.

2. What disinfectant do they use?

Not all disinfectants are created equal.

Ask whether the disinfectant is suitable for use in animal environments and effective against the pathogens most likely to be encountered in boarding facilities.

Equally important is how it's used. Even the best disinfectant won't perform as expected if it's diluted incorrectly or not left on surfaces for the recommended contact time.

3. Are there written cleaning procedures?

Consistency is one of the most important aspects of good biosecurity.

Well-managed boarding establishments should have documented cleaning protocols and ensure all members of staff are trained to follow them.

This helps maintain high standards even during the busiest periods of the summer.

4. What happens if an animal becomes unwell?

No boarding facility can completely eliminate the risk of illness.

What matters is how they respond.

Ask whether they have dedicated isolation facilities and clear procedures for managing animals showing signs of infectious disease such as coughing, diarrhoea or vomiting.

Early identification and prompt isolation can significantly reduce the risk of disease spreading to other guests.

5. What about shared equipment?

It's easy to focus on kennels and enclosures themselves, but many of the highest-risk areas are shared throughout the day.

These include:

• Food and water bowls
• Leads and collars
• Toys and enrichment equipment
• Grooming tools
• Reception areas
• Door handles and gates
• Exercise yards All of these should form part of a routine cleaning and disinfection programme.

In Summary

Choosing the right boarding kennel or cattery is about much more than comfortable accommodation and plenty of exercise. The best facilities understand that infection prevention is just as important as animal care.

Whether you're a pet owner looking for somewhere to leave your companion this summer or a boarding facility preparing for the busiest weeks of the year, investing in good biosecurity benefits everyone.

After all, the best holiday memories are the ones where everyone comes home happy and healthy.