Choosing the place where you will leave your dog for days based on price or photos is like buying a house by looking only at the listing pictures. The most effective way to recognize good dog boarding is to ask the right questions, and good facilities don’t just welcome these questions, they expect them. Here are the 10 questions to ask every facility before you hand over your dog, and what to look for in each answer.
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"Can I see your license?"
A license from the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry is official proof that space, hygiene and veterinary protocol requirements are inspected. If a facility cannot show the document or changes the subject, stop and think: without a license, there is no official mechanism to turn to when a problem arises. -
"How many hours a day will my dog spend in a cage or suite?"
"Boarding" does not mean the same thing everywhere. At some facilities dogs spend 20 hours a day in a small pen. At cage-free facilities the suite is only for sleeping and resting; the day is spent playing in open areas. Ask for a clear breakdown of the hours. -
"Can you show me the whole facility?"
This may be the most telling question. A facility that shows you the suites, play areas and cameras in full (for example on a live 360° camera tour during the meet-and-greet) and answers your questions openly inspires trust; evaded questions and areas left unshown should make you ask what they don’t want you to see. -
"Is the facility camera monitored? How will I get updates?"
Camera monitoring means both safety and staff who work knowing they can be seen at any moment. Also ask how and how often you will be updated during the stay. -
"Do you require a vaccination record and a microchip?"
A counterintuitive question: you want the answer to be "yes, both are mandatory". A facility that doesn’t require vaccines and a chip from your dog didn’t require them from the other dogs inside either, so your dog would share space with unvaccinated animals of unknown history. -
"What is your protocol for a health problem?"
The right answer has three elements: a partner or reachable vet, a commitment to inform you immediately and a transport plan for emergencies. "Nothing will happen, don’t worry" is not a protocol. -
"How are dogs grouped?"
Grouping by size, age and temperament is essential for both play quality and safety. A 40 kg energetic young dog and a 3 kg senior toy breed should not be in the same open area. Also ask whether there is an individual program for dogs that cannot socialize. -
"What is the daily exercise and activity program?"
Good boarding really works like daycare: walks, play, socializing and rest fit into a balanced program. Your dog feels the difference between "we let them out in the garden" and "two exercise sessions a day + supervised group play". -
"Do you sign an agreement?"
A written agreement protects both sides: the scope of the service, the health declaration, emergency authorization and the fee are clearly recorded. A "just trust me" arrangement without an agreement means it is your word against theirs when a problem arises. At PatiLee every stay begins with a digital agreement signed by SMS. -
"What is included in the price, and what isn’t?"
Ask for a written price list. Is exercise included in the boarding fee? Food? Giving medication? How do drop-off and pick-up times work? A transparent facility gives you all of this in writing from the start. We also explain what drives prices in this guide.
Scoring: What Do the Answers Tell You?
As much as each of these 10 questions has a "right" answer, the way they are answered matters too. A facility that is bothered by your questions, evades them or says "just trust us" is cheap even at the highest price. A facility that welcomes your questions gladly, with documents and an invitation to "come and see for yourself", is the right place.
PatiLee’s Answers to These 10 Questions
In short: we are licensed by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry; boarding is in cage-free suites and the days are spent active in open areas; the facility is camera monitored; up-to-date vaccines and a microchip are mandatory; we have a veterinary protocol and a digital agreement; our prices are public and fixed. And most importantly: a free meet-and-greet before booking is required, and during it we show you our entire facility on a live 360° camera tour.