Rogue Kenyans are setting up inhumane pet boarding facilities to cash in on the high demand for places for cats and dogs to stay as their purr-ents or dog parents travel upcountry or abroad.
Holiday travel means many pet owners have to leave their furry companions in pet boarding facilities where they sleep and are fed.
However, not all these facilities adhere to animal welfare standards. Some are being set up quickly, in inhumane environments, to make quick money, putting the pets at risk.
With the cost of pet lodgings having gone up this year, and veterinarians citing the high cost of feed, unsuspecting owners are now being lured by the low prices offered by these rogue operators, only to regret it later.
For reputable pet lodgings, charges range between Sh600 to Sh3,500, a day depending on the type of pet, size and breed.
Emma Ngugi, the Executive Director of the Kenya Society for the Protection and Care of Animals (KSPCA), warns that choosing the wrong facility can lead to disastrous consequences, including pets contracting infections, getting injured, or traumatised.
“When looking for a place to board your pet, start by asking if it’s reputable. Do you have references? Do you know anyone whose pets have been there, and were they satisfied with the service? These are all questions you should ask yourself before deciding where to leave your pet as you travel,” she tells Lifestyle.
She says that well-managed social media platforms where people post their reviews can be a good source of reviews.
“For instance, on Facebook, there is a page called the Real Dog Lovers of Kenya. This is the place you can actually go and say, ‘I’m thinking of boarding my dog at this pet hotel. Does anybody have any comments?’” she says, adding that it is in these groups that one can also ask for recommendations.
Ms Ngugi also advises that pet parents should avoid taking their pets to a place they have not visited before.
“I would never give my dog to anybody, whether a trainer or a pet boarder, without seeing for myself exactly what’s going to happen. Have your pet sleep at the place for one night before you travel then go check up on them the next day. You can always tell if something is amiss because animals are also emotional creatures. They experience feelings and get scared. Therefore, even if the place looks very nice, I would prefer not to just go and leave them there and then travel immediately. I would need to first assess the services,” she says.
The other rule of thumb is that if the deal is too good, you should think twice about it. “How much does it cost to feed a dog properly? Of course, it will not be a cheap affair. Currently, high-quality pet hotels can charge Sh2,000 a night. Even for that, some will tell you to bring your own food. So, if somebody comes purporting to charge you Sh400 a night, then you have reason to ask yourself questions.”
Ms Ngugi urges pet owners to be careful about where they leave their pets equating a pet to a child. “Having a pet is like having your own child. You would never send your child to stay somewhere where you didn’t know if they would be well taken care of.”
Ms Ngugi adds that a bad pet boarding hotel can result in severe repercussions for a pet owner. “You may find that your pet is missing when you get back. We have heard many reported cases where a pet has been injured or is very sick when in the care of a pet boarding place. Other times, a pet boarding place may be insecure, and the pet may run away because it is frightened. Remember that pet theft is also quite rampant, especially for the pure breeds that could fetch a fortune in the market. Other people use your dog for breeding. When your male dog is used multiple times for breeding, it can get many diseases. Your dog could even come back with a deadly disease like rabies if put together with unvaccinated pets.”
When inspecting a facility, Ms Ngugi advises checking the accommodation: “Is the kennel dry, safe, warm, and well-lit? Is there enough space for exercise? Are the caregivers trained? These are crucial factors to consider.”
She says the biggest challenge with rogue pet hotels is that no licenses are required for a person to set up a boarding hotel. “Proper licenses and having only qualified people running the home should be required. Further, there should be a requirement that there be a vet on duty,” she said, adding, “I would urge people to report any cases affecting the welfare of a pet to the KSPCA. Unless we know what is going on, we cannot act on it.”
Pet boarding is not cheap, especially during this festive season when people travel for the holidays.
Dr Dennis Maube, a veterinary surgeon at Small Five Vet Clinic, says the cost of boarding a pet at the clinic varies depending on the pet’s weight.
“For cats, it would cost between Sh600 and Sh1000 per day, while for dogs, it costs between Sh600 and Sh3,500," he says.
