Managing long-stay dogs in a boarding kennel
Some dogs stay for weeks or months while their owners travel, move house or work abroad. A long stay brings steady income, but it also needs more attention: the dog's health can change, the owner is far away, and an unpaid balance can grow quietly.
These are the habits that help long stays run smoothly for the dog, the owner and the kennel.
Monthly or nightly pricing
Decide before the stay whether it is charged by the night or at a monthly rate, and write the choice down. Agree what happens if the owner returns part way through a month, and how extras such as grooming or medication are added. One clear rule, applied to everyone, avoids difficult conversations later.
Regular updates to the owner
An owner who is far away worries more than one who will be back in three days. Agree how often you will send news, perhaps a short message and a photo each week, and keep to it. Regular, honest updates build trust and make it easier to raise a problem when one appears.
Health checks and vaccination dates
Over weeks, small changes in weight, appetite, coat or behaviour are easy to miss. Note them regularly on the dog's record. Check whether any vaccination falls due during the stay, and agree with the owner in advance which vet to use and who approves treatment.
Keep the account current every month
Do not wait until the end of a long stay to send one large bill. Send a statement each month showing what is due and what has been paid. In Kennelio, nightly and monthly rates are handled by one billing engine, the dog's record holds medication, feeding and handling warnings, and statements print in English or Arabic.
Questions, answered
Is a monthly rate always better for a long stay?
Not always. It gives the owner a predictable figure, but what matters most is that both sides agree which rate applies.
How often should I update a long-stay owner?
Agree a rhythm at the start, such as once a week, and contact them sooner if anything changes with the dog.
Should I ask for payment during the stay?
Many kennels ask for payment each month on long stays, so the balance never grows larger than both sides are comfortable with.