Summer Vacation Tips For Your Pets

Memorial Day weekend marks the start of summer vacation season. In the flurry of booking flights, hotels and car rentals for themselves, many vacationers forget to plan the family pet's vacation.


Step 1: Make a reservation
Book your pet's boarding stay as soon as possible. Summer is the busiest season for boarding, and many kennels fill up early.  If you've never boarded your pet before, be sure to visit the facility and ask questions. Just stop in during regular business hours and ask for a tour. (If you are told you must make an appointment, be wary: the staff may have something to hide.)

Step 2: Prepare your pet
Making reservations isn't all you need to do. To get your pet ready: 
•Update vaccinations. A top-quality kennel will require proof that they are up-to-date. Take your pet to the veterinarian one to two weeks in advance of your departure date.
•Purchase a supply of pet medication and special food (if any). Be sure to include an extra day or two, just in case you are delayed returning from your travels.
•Pack a familiar toy for your pet's stay, but don't bring his favorite in case of possible loss.
•Prepare a list of contacts. Include your veterinarian's phone number, your contact information at your vacation destination, and a local contact to serve as your "backup" in an emergency if you can't be reached.

Step 3: Enjoy your vacation
When you deliver your pet to the boarding kennel, give him an affectionate good-bye and leave. Don't cause a prolonged farewell scene, which will only create anxiety for your pet. Instead, use a happy tone of voice as you turn him over to the staff and he will feel reassured.  If this is your pet's first time boarding and you are anxious about how he will do, make arrangements with the kennel staff to call and check in. A quality kennel will understand that pets are part of the family and will be happy to take a call from a worried pet parent.

To make boarding a bit easier for first time clients, Best Friends has instituted a special "first night free" program. Check with your local Best Friends center for details.

Skittles The Rabbit Needs A Home

My name is Skittles and I need a home! 

He is approximatly 3 years old, and is litter box trainined.  He has his own very nice bunny home, and separate playpen.  If you think Skittles might make a good family addition you can contact Jen here at Best Friends Prairie View. 

How Your Pet Can Help Save The Oceans

Best Friends Pet Care is asking for your help!  We are working hard at collecting as much fur as we can to send to A Matter Of Trust, a non for profit organization that is trying to "Go Green" and save the oceans at the same time.  Hair and fur are hydrophobic which means they repel water, and are great at collecting oil.  We are saving all of the hair and fur we gather in our grooming salons to send to them.  Call today to make your pets grooming appointment.  You can help save the oceans and have a clean pet too! 
Best Friends offers $10 off to any new grooming clients.  (Keep in mind even a simple brush out on a beagle will give us some fur!  Every little bit will help)

Best Friends American Pet Motel

I thought some of our regular best friends would find this article interesting.  A lot of you have shared many family pets with us throughout the years, some of you have been here since the beginning.  We love you guys! 

We have been Best Friends American Pet Motel for quite some time now, but as you can see we still have some of the same fun loving staff, spacious rooms, and fun activities!  We have obviously made many changes throughout the years from our recent addition of a Dog Park, our newly remodeled indoor outdoor camp room, and we now offer in home care.  There are more changes to come in the upcoming months.  We look forward to reminiscing about the old times and making new memories with all of our best friends! 

Here's to our pets, our real love in life. 

Koda Best Friends Camper of the Month

Pool Time In Camp

Chicagoland Family Pet Expo

click on above photo for more information!

Make sure to stop by and see us! We will be there!

Dog Camp: Hidden Treasures Day!

They were busy today in Dog Camp! Today was Hidden Treasures Day! Everyone should be tired from their search party expeditions to find all the treats!

It's A Winter Wonderland!

All that Chicago Snow sure does not stop the campers! Bring it on!

Holiday Boarding Savings

Angel Tree For Dogs

Help us help other families have a bright and happy holiday season.  This year Best Friends Pet Care will have their Angel Tree in the lobby to support Tails Of Hope Pet Rescue and Young At Heart Pet Rescue.  For Tails Of Hope we will be taking monetary donations to purchase walks, playtimes, baths, and other activities.  We foster dogs for Tails Of Hope here in our kennel, while they are awaiting a forever home.  The money raised will go to provide those dogs with fun activities while they are here!  For Young At Heart we will be taking donations to help them purchase food for Nina's Pet Food Pantry.  Young at Heart helps stock local pet food pantrys in the area.  For more information please call (847) 634-9444.

Holiday Pictures

Best Friends Jack-O-Lantern!

Happy Halloween! Check out the Jack-o-lantern that our sister location in Houston carved! Pretty awesome right?!?