Middle Georgia boarding kennels filling up quickly for holidays

With Christmas and New Year's holidays just around the corner, boarding kennels for pets are filling up quickly.

Some kennels, including Macon Pets Resort & Spa in Macon and Camp SitStay in Perry, said they still had space Friday, but just a few vacancies remain.

Endless Love Pet Palace in Warner Robins already is completely booked and has a waiting list, in case there are last-minute cancellations. The facility can house 100 dogs and a dozen cats.

"Typically, people are thinking about booking available flights and hotels, but not always about Fido," said Anne Hjort, owner of Camp SitStay in Perry.

Regular boarding customers know to book in advance, and most pet owners who previously have waited until the last minute to find lodging for their pets don't make that same mistake twice, Hjort said.

Already, Noah's Bark, which can house 100 dogs and 15 cats, has no room in the inn for the holidays.

"It has been an incredible season," said Glenn Sparks, kennel director for the Centerville-based business, which has a Warner Robins address. "This has been the busiest Thanksgiving and Christmas season that we've seen in some time."

Sparks thinks more people are traveling because of a drop in gas prices and an improvement in the economy. Generally, Noah's Bark fills up after veterinarians and smaller kennels are booked up.

So what is a pet owner who has waited until the last minute to do?

Pet experts recommend to immediately start talking to friends, neighbors, veterinarians, animal shelter workers and dog trainers for kennel recommendations. The same people also may be able to recommend a pet sitter who either takes care of a pet at their home or in the pet's home.

Another option is to ask family and friends to take care of the pet. If traveling with a pet, book quickly because pet-friendly hotels also fill up quickly.

When selecting a kennel, a pet owner should be able to drop in and look over the facility at any time, Sparks said.

Also, pet owners should make sure and have documentation that all vaccinations are up to date. Most kennels require rabies, distemper, parvo and bordetella vaccinations. Many also recommend -- and a few require -- the canine influenza vaccination. Others also require flea-prevention treatment.

Pet owners should address any special needs the pet may have, such as special diet or medications, and find out whether the kennel or pet sitter can accommodate those special needs.

Most veterinarians routinely handle special needs, which is why many pet owners opt to leave their pet in their veterinarian's care. But many kennels and pet sitters routinely handle special needs as well.

For example, Hjort, who was a veterinarian technician for 16 years before opening Camp SitStay in 2003, has specialized pet training.

Sheila Kemp, owner of Endless Love Pet Palace, said her workers are trained to give medications and has quiet places for diabetic and senior dogs. Kemp also offers one day of free care for a senior dog to ensure that the dog does well when boarded at her facility.

"We just want them to be the best they can be anywhere they would be," she said.

Many kennels offer extra amenities, ranging from indoor-outdoor runs, spacious play yards to group activities for dogs and special suites equipped with beds, TVs and live webcam viewing. Most of them provide quiet places for cats.

The best advice from pet experts: Do your homework and book early.

To contact writer Becky Purser, call 256-9559, or find her on Twitter @becpurser.

This story was originally published December 13, 2015 at 9:53 PM with the headline "Middle Georgia boarding kennels filling up quickly for holidays ."