Leaving your pet in someone else’s care can be nerve-racking, especially when you’re not sure what goes on behind those kennel doors. In this episode, Amy sits down with Carmen Rustenbeck, Founder & CEO of the International Boarding & Pet Services Association (IBPSA), to talk about what safe, professional pet care really looks like and how to choose a boarding facility that meets your standards for quality and compassion.
Whether you’re boarding for a day or a week, this episode will help you feel confident, prepared, and in control of your pet’s well-being.
BY THE TIME YOU FINISH LISTENING, YOU’LL DISCOVER:
• The biggest mistakes pet parents make when choosing a pet boarding facility
• What separates a safe, professional environment from one that could put your pet’s health or happiness at risk
• How to assess pet safety, staff training, and cleanliness before you book
BONUS RESOURCE:
Visit https://www.ibpsa.com/for-consumers/
to download a free pet care checklist you can use while evaluating dog or cat boarding facilities or other pet professional services.
CONNECT WITH CARMEN RUSTENBECK
Website: ibpsa.com
OTHER LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:
• Fear Free Pet Program: fearfree.com
Holiday guests coming who don’t love your pets? Don’t miss the December 3rd Quick Fix bonus episode. Amy shares simple ways to set expectations, create boundaries, and shut down holiday drama before it even starts. Listen in and keep everyone in your house off the naughty list.
Love the show? Share it with someone navigating the chaos of pet parenting, and please leave a 5-star review so others can find the pet advice they need.
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Pet parenting can feel overwhelming when you’re juggling behavior issues, unexpected costs, or conflicting information. Every week, you’ll get clear, expert pet advice with simple steps you can actually use NOW, plus pet cost hacks that help you save money without sacrificing your pet’s wellbeing.
We cover training and behavior guidance, nutrition insights, stress-free vet visit tips, cleaning and home routines, and smart ways to manage life in multi-pet households. Everything is practical, supportive, and built for real life.
No fluff, no guilt, just real pet parenting advice with expert guidance and practical tools you can use today, plus easy ways to plan and budget so pet expenses don’t derail you.
Follow so you can stop chasing your tail and start enjoying your pets again.
Contact: Amy@petparenthotline.com
©Ⓟ 2025 Amy Castro
