Push for more regulation in pet boarding facilities persists

A group dedicated to protecting pets at Monterey boarding facilities continues to push for change.

The group,Citizens For Safe Boarding Facilities, formed after a devastating fire at Home Away From Home killed 15 dogs last year.

Member Rachael Zalan spoke at Tuesday night’s city council meeting, supporting a move to require pet boarding facilities to post signs if they don’t have monitored alarm systems.

At first, she and the group wanted the city to require fire alarms inside all pet kennels. The city told the group in May that was not possible because changing the city’s code would take years.

On Tuesday, Zalan said the city council supported the sign idea and asked the city attorney to look into having a person at boarding facilities 24 hours a day with the animals.

“The mayor and council members at the meeting last night were incredibly empathetic and understood why it is so important to keep Monterey’s pets safe,” Zalan said in a statement to KION. “The City Council listened to our concerns and pushed city staff to look at more options like requiring a 24 hour attendant. In the meantime we will continue to educate the public about the lack of safety standards for boarding facilities.”