CLEVELAND — If you’re a pet parent, you know that where you stay is just as important as where your pet stays when you’re gone.
There are so many options for your four-legged family members in Northeast Ohio, it’s sometimes hard to know which one is the right fit.
Max & Alayna’s Paws Play is located in downtown Cleveland, it’s the only doggie daycare, grooming and boarding facility in the downtown area.
Teressa Doaty is the owner of Paws Play and she sees many dogs coming and going. She says first things first, you have to know your dog before you board your dog.
"It's prime to understand that as much as you want your dog to go to these facilities and go to these places, it is not their natural environment,” Doaty said.
Your pets prefer to be home and in their comfort zone, but if that’s not an option there are a few different ways to make your puppy feel at home.
Here are the options for boarding options: “There's cage free, then there's individual suite with overnight supervision, then there's individual suites without supervision,” Doaty said.
Before you send your already anxious dog to stay with someone else, there are a couple things you can do like introducing them to other animals and making sure they’re accustomed to being in a crate.
After you’ve chosen the right kennel, don’t be afraid to take a look around and ask questions.
“You want there to be enough room for them to stand, circle around and check the overall cleanliness of the facility,” Doaty said.
Safety should also be top of mind for any facility you choose for your pet.
“What's in place to keep them safe? Are they certified in pet first aid and CPR?” Doaty said. “It seems like kind of no brainer, but it is different than humans."