Berkeley, Ca - 21 July, 2005 -

Hunter, a 2-year-old cocker spaniel, is playing contentedly with a chew toy in his Versailles Suite, a room roughly as large as a walk-in closet with a bed, a carpet and a television showing the local news. Up in Century City, the specialty geriatric boarding area, 14-year-old Lucy and 11-year-old Pogo are well attended to. And out back, Maggie, a 4-year-old black Lab, is jumping in and out of a blue kiddie pool and chomping on a large green donut. All the while, speakers are emanating Bach, Mozart and Rachmaninoff. Welcome to Bedford's Northwind Kennels. "The people who work there are really nice, and Godiva is always in good shape when she comes home," said James Garten, 39, of Bedford Hills, referring to his 7-year-old chocolate Labrador retriever. "She sleeps when she gets home, so I know she's tired and she had a good time." For the sizable population of dog and cat owners, boarding kennels such as Northwind can be the easy answer to the dilemma of what to do with your pet when vacation beckons. Boarding kennels can offer both overnight and day boarding for dogs and cats, as well as grooming, training and other services. Prices vary depending on the kennel, the animal's size and the particular suite's amenities. Boarding a cat overnight can cost anywhere from $12 to $20, while dogs, depending on size, are charged from $20 to $30 a night at most kennels. As for the luxurious Versailles Suite one of Northwind's four furnished deluxe suites the rate is $66 a night. If the idea of a boarding kennel appeals to you, pick up the phone now. During the summer months and holidays, when people are most likely to go on vacation, boarding kennels fill up quickly. Debra Bennetts, spokesperson for Best Friends Pet Resorts and Salon, a national chain with locations in Harrison and Chestnut Ridge in Rockland County, said there are already waiting lists for some weeks in August. "We have clients book a year in advance because they know they're taking the same two weeks off next year," Bennetts said. "It's too late to tell people to book early. If you're planning a vacation in August, get on the phone now; don't wait another day." Laura Cothren, manager of Northwind Kennels, said in addition to booking early, people should be prepared to visit kennels they are considering as early as April. Several owners and managers added that pet owners should be leery of kennels that allow inspection only during specific times. "Stop in during normal business hours and ask for a tour," Bennetts said. "If they say no or that you need an appointment, then run, don't walk they're hiding something." As for what to look for on a tour, Cothren advises using your senses and logic. "When you walk into the boarding kennel itself, not just the front office, ask, 'Is it clean, is there food, is there standing water? Are the dogs happy and wagging their tails, is there air conditioning, does it smell?' "Cothren said. But taking a tour is more than just an opportunity to investigate behind the scenes. Various kennels offer different amenities and philosophies toward pet care. For example, Best Friends lets dogs play with a group of other dogs, while the staff at Northwind plays with dogs one-on-one. Several kennel owners and managers also advised asking for references. Most kennels said the most important thing to do before boarding a pet is make sure its vaccinations are in order. Dog owners should be particularly wary of boardetella, or kennel cough, a bronchitis-like condition that dogs can contract more easily in boarding kennels. Woods End Kennel in Putnam Valley requires vaccinations to be taken care of at least two weeks before a pet is boarded. "People think vaccinations are instant, that a dog gets a vaccination today and is instantly protected," said Sheryl Michener, owner of Woods End Kennel and a licensed veterinary technician. "It takes dogs time to build up a resistance. It's in the best interest of the animal to be vaccinated in advance." Customers of various local kennels said they appreciated the level of attention and care their pets received. Donna DiMaggio, 44, of Mahopac has used Stone Meadow Kennels in Mahopac for more than five years now, roughly three or four times a year. DiMaggio said her dog, an 11-year-old husky mix and former rescue dog named Bandit, was abused when he was younger and requires special care care that Stone Meadows has been more than able to provide. "I was very impressed with the cleanliness and the thoroughness of the care for the pets," DiMaggio said. "Any time my dogs boarded there, they got special treatment, and I knew they'd be cared for." But for people who remain uncomfortable with leaving their pet in a kennel, there are alternatives. Fetch! Pet Care is a service that takes care of pets in a client's home, at prices comparable to boarding at a kennel. Day visits to a home cost $20, and a sitter staying overnight with the pet costs $50. For normal day visits, a sitter comes to the client's home several times a day to feed, walk and take care of the pet. Sitters can also perform tasks around the house, such as watering the plants. "We don't lock up the dogs in a little cement wall," said Christa Lloyd, owner of Fetch! Pet Care's Westchester franchise. "They get the familiarity of their own home and a lot more personal attention. A lot of people don't want to go to kennels these days; they feel like it's punishment for their dogs." Donna Guerin, 39, of Yonkers used Best Friends in Chestnut Ridge before switching to Fetch! Pet Care six months ago. Guerin said she had no problems with Best Friends, but because her dog is large 4-year-old Jesse is a Lab/chow/shepherd mix he needs exercise often, something Fetch! was able to accommodate easily. "I was very happy with them, but in the long run Fetch! was better for me," Guerin said. "Fetch! took him out, provided human contact, played with him. With my dog, because he's large, those are my concerns that he gets to run and play, that kind of thing." Jack Feinberg, owner of Northwind Kennels, said his kennel is far from punitive. "It is a natural environment as much as we can make it," Feinberg said. "There are plants, there are views of the woods, trees all around, music playing all the time. We have an attitude that these are guests, not prisoners. We make sure they're comfortable and secure."

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