Woof, Don't worry now!

You have to part with your beloved pooch when you go for work
It is said that a dog is a man’s best friend. But, unfortunately, a mobile phone service provider’s advertisement can’t turn into reality. Wherever you go, your dog can’t follow. You have to part with your beloved pooch when you go for work or, sometimes, for a longer time when you go on a vacation.
Because of the increasing number of kennels and day care centres for dogs, pet owners can breathe a sigh of relief. Owners can trustingly leave the pooches at these kennels, which is good news for them.
There are multiple services including a 24-hour helpline, mating services and training that are available here.
Sonu Makhijani, who runs a kennel, says, We have kept dogs for five to six years. We also have a pick up and drop service for people who stay far off.
With the rates ranging from Rs 125 to Rs 400 per day, it surely is a convenient arrangement to keep your little darlings safe. Parikshit Bedadur, owner of a kennel, adds, We make sure that we follow the schedule given by the dog owners, so that the dog’s daily routine is not disturbed.
In case the dog falls sick, we make it a point to take him to his regular vet.
There is no need to feel guilty about leaving your doggie alone before leaving on a vacation. Indeed, s/he can have a vacation too.
Rohan More, managing director of a kennel, says, We have a large space of 16 acres for the dogs to run around freely. There is also a pool for them to beat the heat.
Here’s something more to chew on. Neha Panchamiya is starting a state-of-the-art dog hostel in the city. This will have one indoor and another outdoor kennel.
The indoor kennel will be air-conditioned, and the friendly dogs will be allowed to socialise in the spacious lawn. We are currently running an animal rescue and pet adoption campaign. We realised that there are many pedigree dogs that are abandoned.
This mostly happens when the owners are leaving the city. So, we thought of starting a dog hostel where people can leave their dogs without any hesitation. Our main focus will be on hygiene and sanitation, she explains.
Most people are hesitant about kennels as they feel unsure about the hygiene. While talking about the common illnesses and the ways to tackle them, Dr Milind Hatekar says, There are chances of dogs getting ticks or diseases.
Kennel cough and skin irritation are common illnesses that dogs suffer from after coming back from a kennel. That’s why spacious kennels are preferred.
One need not fret though. There are ways to prevent your dog from getting ticks. Get your dog an anti-tick collar or a spot treatment before going to a kennel, advises Dr Hatekar.
For keeping the dog happy, he suggests, “Specify his feeding habits to the people at the kennel. Also, do mention his likes and dislikes. It is important to let the kennel know if your dog is aggressive to prevent him from harming other dogs. And de-worm him once you get him back.”
There is a way to know if your four-legged best friend is being treated well at the kennel you leave him at. “If you take him there the second time, and he affectionately goes to the owner of the kennel, then it’s the right kennel for your dog. If he is reluctant, you need to look for a new one,” says the doctor.
What is important, however, is that if you need to leave your dog for even one day, it feels great to know about this safe new way.