Board Safely®
Did you know… there are no statewide regulations that govern boarding kennels and pet daycare facilities in Massachusetts?
GET SET TO BOARD YOUR PET
The Animal Rescue League of Boston’s (ARL) Board Safely campaign encourages pet owners to do their own research before leaving their pet in the care of a boarding kennel or daycare facility.
Find out safety protocols and licensing.
What is the procedure in the event of a natural disaster or medical emergency? Are there vaccination requirements to ensure the health of all boarded animals? Does the facility have a current kennel license?
Ask for details about supervision and interaction.
What is the experience-level of the person supervising your pet, and are they always on the premises? Are dogs allowed to interact with one another, and are they separated by size/temperament?
Download the Board Safely Checklist.
When researching potential boarding kennels or daycare facilities for your pet, ask all of the questions on this list and take notes.
Ollie’s Law
After years of work by ARL and other animal advocates, Ollie’s Law was sent to the Governor’s Desk for her signature in September 2024. This bill will create reasonable regulations to protect pets and prevent future tragedies. Thank you to bill sponsors Senator Mark Montigny and Representative Brian Ashe for their tireless advocacy.
The Board Safely campaign is made available thanks to the generous donations of ARL supporters. Please consider donating to ARL, so that we can continue sharing this important pet safety message.