What to Tell Your Dog's Boarding Facility Before Drop-Off
- Jun 14
- 5 min read
You've done the research, chosen a boarding facility you trust, packed your dog's favourite blanket, and booked the dates. But there's one more thing that can make or break your dog's boarding experience — and most pawrents don't think about it until they're already at drop-off.
The information you share with your boarding team.
A good facility will ask questions. A great facility will ask a lot of them. But even the most thorough intake form can't anticipate everything that matters about your specific dog. The more you share upfront, the better equipped the team is to care for your dog the way you would.
Here's everything worth telling your boarding facility before you hand over the lead.
Feeding schedule and diet
Dogs thrive on routine, and mealtimes are one of the most important anchors in their day. Make sure your facility knows:
What your dog eats (brand, type, wet or dry)
How much they eat per meal
How many times a day they're fed
Any food allergies or sensitivities
Whether they're a fast eater, a slow eater, or a grazer
If they need their food elevated, softened, or mixed with anything
If you're providing your dog's own food — which many facilities encourage — portion it out and label it clearly by meal. This removes any guesswork and keeps your dog's gut from being disrupted by a sudden diet change, which is a common cause of stomach upsets during boarding stays.
Medications and supplements
If your dog is on any medication — whether it's daily tablets, ear drops, joint supplements, or anxiety medication — the facility needs to know before drop-off, not at drop-off.
Bring enough medication for the full stay plus a couple of extra days in case of any unexpected changes. Include:
The name of the medication
The dose
When and how it should be administered (with food, crushed into a treat, etc.)
What it's for, so staff understand its importance
Don't assume that because a medication seems minor, it's fine to skip. Consistency matters — especially for dogs on ongoing treatment.
Behavioural Quirks and Triggers
Every dog has their thing. The sound that sets them off. The type of dog they don't get along with. The way they like to greet people. The more your boarding team knows about your dog's personality, the better they can anticipate and manage situations before they escalate.
Think about:
Are they nervous around loud noises? (Thunderstorms are frequent in Singapore — this is especially relevant.)
Do they have any dog-to-dog preferences? (Bigger dogs, smaller dogs, intact males?)
Do they get overwhelmed in busy environments and need more quiet time?
Do they resource guard around food, toys, or sleeping spots?
Are they prone to jumping, mouthing, or pulling?
Is there a calming technique that works particularly well for them?
None of this information should be hidden in hopes that your dog "won't be like that" in a new environment. New environments often amplify existing behaviours, not suppress them. Honesty here protects your dog and the team caring for them.
Comfort Items from Home
A familiar smell goes a long way for a dog in an unfamiliar space. If your dog has a blanket, a toy, or a worn t-shirt that carries your scent, bring it. Most facilities will happily include it in your dog's sleeping space.
Label everything clearly with your dog's name — items have a way of wandering in a busy boarding environment. And be realistic about what you send: if a toy is precious to you or irreplaceable, leave it at home. Boarding is not the right environment for it.
Veterinary Contact Details
Your boarding facility should have your vet's name, clinic, and contact number before your dog's stay begins. In the event of a health concern, the team needs to be able to act quickly — and knowing which vet your dog is registered with saves critical time.
Also confirm in advance:
Whether your dog has any known health conditions the vet is monitoring
If your dog has any past surgical history that might be relevant
Whether your dog is prone to any recurring issues (skin, ears, stomach, etc.)
If your dog has a complex medical history, a brief written summary is far more useful than trying to recall everything on the spot at drop-off.
Vaccination and health records
Reputable boarding facilities in Singapore require proof of up-to-date vaccinations before accepting any dog into their care. This typically includes:
Distemper, parvovirus, and adenovirus (often combined as DHPPiL)
Bordetella (kennel cough) — particularly important in group settings
Rabies (where applicable)
Have a copy of your dog's vaccination certificate ready. If there's any doubt about whether a booster is due, check with your vet at least a few weeks before the boarding stay — not the day before.
Emergency contacts
Your facility needs to be able to reach you. Provide:
Your primary contact number (and confirm it will have reception or data during your trip)
A secondary contact — a family member, friend, or neighbour who can make decisions on your behalf if you're unreachable
Authorisation for emergency veterinary treatment, including a spending limit if relevant
The last thing you want during a holiday is a panicked call you can't answer. Setting this up clearly before you leave means the team can act swiftly if needed, without waiting on hold.
Their daily routine beyond meals
Dogs don't just eat on a schedule — they live on one. If your dog is used to a morning walk at 7am, a nap after lunch, and a calm evening, that context helps the boarding team replicate as much of their normal rhythm as possible.
It's also worth mentioning:
Preferred sleeping position or setup (crate, bed, floor)
Whether they settle better with background noise or quiet
How they signal they need the bathroom
Any evening rituals that help them wind down (a specific toy, a particular type of touch)
The more a boarding team can mirror your dog's home routine, the faster your dog will settle into their temporary environment.
A note on honesty
The most important thing you can do before drop-off is be honest. It can be tempting to downplay a quirk, skip mentioning a medication that's "not that important", or hope that your dog's resource guarding "won't come up".
But boarding teams aren't there to judge your dog — or you. They're there to keep your dog safe and comfortable. The information you share is the foundation of that care.
At Pawtel, we ask for all of this at onboarding because we've seen firsthand what a difference it makes. A dog whose team knows them well settles faster, eats better, and leaves happier. That's the whole point.
WhatsApp Pawtel before your dog's stay — we'll walk you through exactly what we need to give your dog the best possible boarding experience.
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