Animal Welfare in Companion Animal Boarding and Kennels

Boarding kennels and catteries vary enormously in quality — from environments causing chronic stress to facilities providing genuine care and enrichment for boarded animals.

Key Facts

Kennel stress causes elevated cortisol and behavioral changes in most boarded dogs
Social boarding facilities using group housing reduce isolation stress for suitable dogs
Kennel cough and respiratory infections spread readily in boarding environments
Cat boarding causes significant stress from territorial disruption and social isolation
In-home pet sitting avoids kennel stress for most animals if a trusted sitter is available

Welfare Considerations

Boarding causes genuine welfare stress for most companion animals. Dogs in kennels experience social disruption, unfamiliar sounds and smells, and loss of home environment. Cats suffer territorial stress from unfamiliar spaces. Even high-quality boarding facilities cannot replicate home environments fully. Welfare-conscious boarding choices minimize boarding duration, match facility type to the individual animal, and prioritize in-home options for highly stress-prone animals.

What You Can Do

Tour boarding facilities and observe animal behavior before committing
Ask about enrichment programs, exercise frequency, and staff-to-animal ratios
Consider in-home pet sitting as a lower-stress alternative to kennel boarding
Prepare animals for boarding through familiarization visits when facilities permit
Ask for updates and photos during long boarding stays to monitor welfare remotely