117 www.ReadMPM.com | www.MountPleasantMagazine.com | www.MountPleasantPodcast.com environments, pools, doggy ice cream treats and even TVs that play animal shows and movies, to name a few. Some boarding and day care facilities even allow you to log in and watch your dog having fun on a live camera. “We have been taking Hera to the Pooch Palace for 11 years and couldn’t be happier,” Jenn Keeney said of her Portuguese pointer. “She’s a very active dog, so having a dog sitter stop by sometimes wouldn’t be enough. She seeks out human affection and loves her time there. She knows it when we say ‘Pooch Palace’ and gets so excited to go there.” One of the things that was important to Keeney when finding the right day camp and boarding for Hera was the staff-to-pet ratio and the staff’s involvement with the campers and boarders. “Hera plays in the zero-entry pool and loves to run on the AstroTurf. The staff is constantly throwing tennis balls, spraying hoses for the dogs to play in or blowing bubbles.” Now that she’s advancing in age, Keeney says Hera still loves to go, but chooses to balance her high-energy activities with a lot of lounging on dog-sized couches in the air conditioning. While boarding and day care for dogs is always in demand due to their hands-on requirements for food, exercise and doing their doggy business, many boarding and day cares in Mount Pleasant also have cat-specific accommodations. For those whose pet family members are a little more unusual than a cat or dog, Exotic Vet Care’s trained professionals offer specialized care for birds, small mammals, reptiles, amphibians and other exotic animals. “Knowing how to handle and interact with these pets is crucial to their care, as they can be delicate and prone to injury in inexperienced hands,” explained Kerry Bateman, practice manager at Exotic Vet Care. From understanding specialized dietary care and environmental needs, to being attuned to subtle changes in behavior that can indicate illness, the level of care is as unique as the pets that are boarded. “Our staff is trained to provide personalized and attentive care to each species and individual we board,” Bateman said. No matter what kind of pet you own, your pet’s safety while you’re away is a top priority. Plan to have your pet vaccinated according to the facility’s standards before you try one out. “I feel reassured that Hera is in good hands because her day care enforces their vaccine requirements,” Keeney said. “Also, they required a test visit when we first started, which helped us feel more comfortable that the other dogs she is around also passed the test visit.” If you’re a pet owner, consider giving your furry friends – or feathered or scaled companions – a chance to live their best life while you are living yours. pets AdvancedAnimalCareMP.com Follow Us! (843) 884-9838 3373 S. Morgans Point Rd., Ste. 301 Mon.-Fri. 8am-6pm Sat. 8am-1pm Proudly standing as one of Charleston's exclusive veterinary practices, where we hold the esteemed distinction of being both Fear Free Certified and AAHA-accredited!
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MjcyNTM1