Duties

Boarding kennel owners and managers provide facilities that feed, house, and exercise pets, mostly dogs and cats. Pet “spas” may also offer dog daycare, pool time, grooming, massage, obedience training, and other luxury services, all supervised by the owner or manager.

Background and Education

Besides experience working at a boarding kennel, kennel owners and managers benefit from courses in animal behavior, animal disease prevention, and business management including marketing. Many seek voluntary accreditation of their facilities from the American Boarding Kennels Association. The ABKA provides publications, meetings, committees, seminars and a variety of other opportunities for boarding kennel operators to exchange ideas, develop new approaches and improve their knowledge of the industry. They have an annual trade show and convention that you may find beneficial as well.