Red Flags to Watch Out for When Selecting a Pet Resort

Choosing a pet resort is a decision that affects your pet’s comfort, safety, and well-being. While many facilities offer excellent care, not all meet the standards you’d expect. Recognizing warning signs early can help prevent a negative experience for both you and your pet.

This guide outlines the most important red flags to watch out for when selecting a pet resort, helping you make a thoughtful and informed choice.

1. Unclean or Poorly Maintained Facilities

Cleanliness is a basic requirement in any pet care environment. One of the first signs of poor pet care is an unclean facility. Unclean pet boarding facilities may have strong odors, visible dirt, unsanitary kennels, or pests.

Also check for outdated or damaged facilities. Cracked flooring, broken fencing, or poor ventilation signal a lack of attention to maintenance. These issues can increase the risk of illness, injury, or stress for your pet.

During your visit, observe if food and water bowls are clean, bedding is regularly changed, and waste is promptly removed.

2. No Vaccination Requirements

A professional pet resort will always require proof of vaccination. If a facility doesn’t request records for rabies, distemper, or bordetella, that’s a serious concern. No vaccination requirements put all animals at risk and indicate a lack of basic health protocols.

Vaccinations help prevent the spread of illness, especially in group settings. This is a non-negotiable part of safe pet boarding.

3. High Pet-to-Staff Ratio

Quality care depends on proper staffing. A high pet-to-staff ratio means fewer caregivers are responsible for more animals. This limits interaction, slows response times, and increases the risk of oversight.

Ask how many pets each staff member is responsible for. Lower ratios allow for more individual attention, supervision, and behavior monitoring.

4. Lack of Staff Qualifications

Qualified staff are critical to your pet’s safety and well-being. If a facility cannot describe their hiring standards, training programs, or experience levels, consider it a red flag.

A lack of staff qualifications may result in unsafe handling, missed medical needs, or poor behavior management. At a minimum, staff should be trained in basic animal care, safe handling, and emergency procedures.

5. Poor Pet Supervision

Pets need consistent monitoring to stay safe and comfortable. One sign of poor pet supervision is limited interaction throughout the day. If pets are confined for long hours without breaks, exercise, or enrichment, their physical and emotional needs are not being met.

Ask if staff are present during all hours of the day and how often pets are checked. Without proper supervision, behavioral problems, stress, or illness may go unnoticed.

6. No Emergency Protocols

A lack of planning for emergencies is a serious issue. Every pet resort should have emergency protocols in place, including partnerships with local veterinarians, on-site first aid kits, and a clear communication process for contacting owners.

If a facility cannot explain how they would handle an illness, injury, or evacuation, that’s a major red flag. Emergencies are rare, but preparation shows professionalism and care.

7. No Structured Routine

Pets thrive on routine. Facilities that don’t follow a structured pet routine may contribute to stress and behavioral issues. Routines should include regular feeding, bathroom breaks, rest time, and enrichment.

If a resort can’t provide a clear daily schedule or seems disorganized, your pet may not receive consistent care.

8. Limited Enrichment or Social Activities

While rest is important, so is stimulation. A lack of pet enrichment activities can lead to boredom, anxiety, or destructive behavior. Look for signs that pets aren’t being mentally or physically engaged—such as excessive pacing, barking, or visible distress.

Ask whether pets receive individual or group play sessions, walks, toys, or puzzles. If the answer is unclear or minimal, consider other options.

9. No Facility Tour Available

A quality pet resort should welcome you to tour the facility before booking. If you’re told tours aren’t available, or if the staff avoids showing certain areas, that’s a warning sign.

A tour helps you evaluate conditions firsthand and ask key questions about cleanliness, supervision, and policies. Without a tour, you’re relying only on marketing, which may not reflect reality.

10. Poor Communication and Transparency

Another red flag is lack of transparency in policies or poor communication from staff. If you struggle to get clear answers about pricing, routines, health care, or behavior management, it may indicate internal disorganization or lack of professionalism.

Unresponsive or dismissive staff may also be less likely to inform you of problems during your pet’s stay. Communication should be clear, timely, and respectful.

11. Bad Reviews from Other Pet Owners

One of the easiest ways to assess a pet resort is to check online feedback. Bad reviews from pet owners often point to consistent issues with cleanliness, safety, or customer service.

Look for patterns in the reviews. One bad experience may be an exception, but repeated concerns about neglect, poor handling, or illness are important to note.

12. Unsafe Play Areas

Play areas should be secure, clean, and appropriately sized for pets. Unsafe play areas may have broken fencing, slippery surfaces, or no clear separation between small and large animals.

Ask how play groups are formed and supervised. If animals are grouped without consideration for size or temperament, it can lead to fights or injuries.

13. Unlicensed or Unregulated Facility

Lastly, confirm whether the facility is licensed or inspected by a local authority. An unlicensed or unregulated facility may not follow legal requirements for health, safety, and animal welfare.

Ask if the resort follows local or state guidelines and if they’ve passed recent inspections. Transparency about licensing reflects a commitment to high standards.

Final Tip

Avoid red flags by first reading choosing the right pet resort, which covers what to look for in a quality facility and how to evaluate your options in depth.

Final Thoughts

Selecting a pet resort involves more than availability or location. It’s about finding a place that prioritizes safety, supervision, and structured care. Recognizing red flags early helps protect your pet from discomfort, illness, or poor treatment.

When visiting or researching a facility, trust your instincts. If something feels off or staff avoid direct answers, it’s okay to keep looking. A professional, transparent pet resort will be happy to walk you through their policies, show you the facility, and answer all your questions.

Taking the time to choose the right environment ensures that your pet will be well-cared for, relaxed, and safe while you’re away.