Karing Kennels; more than just an adoption facility

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Stephen G. Eigel
  • 18th Wing Public Affairs
KADENA AIR BASE, Japan --  When people think of Karing Kennels some think about the adoption facility, but it is much more than that.

Karing Kennels has 80 dog kennels and 24 cat condos that are available for boarding. They provide support to the military families by giving care to their pets when it is needed and they also offer grooming, training, pet adoption, and they have a store to meet the pet's needs.

According to Hikari Shimabukuro, the Karing Kennels facility manager, the kennels are the best place to help military members take care of their pets whether on-or off-island.

"Our kennels are larger than ones off base," Hikari said. "We have many options, you can get indoor or outdoor kennels which are all climate controlled and average ten dollars cheaper per day than off base."

While the pets are boarded the team of care takers plays with each pet for 15 minutes twice a day, and tracks their food and water intake. There is also a team of four groomers available to cut their hair and trim their nails.

Kristen Adams, Karing Kennels employee, said Karing Kennels is a loyal and trustworthy kennel that is here when military members are PCS-ing and wanting to go on vacation or explore other places. They are here to take care of your pets when you can't.

Due to Japanese law, imported pets have to undergo several exams and blood tests as well as a quarantine period before they are allowed of base, which causes a problem for families with pets who will be living off base.

Since they cannot leave base, the kennels are a great place for them to stay until their quarantine is up, Hikari said.

Karing Kennels also has a stray animal program where they take in stray animals that are found and try to get them re-united with their owners. They also try take as many pets as they can that need to be re-homed but encourage owners to try and work it out.

"I love to re-home the unwanted pets that get brought in because it is very rewarding," Hikari said. "It makes us sad because we love all of the animals but it is good to find them nice homes that they deserve."

For more information on what Karing Kennels has to offer, call them at DSN 966-7339 or 050-5865-1902 or visit their website at www.kadenafss.com/life-career/karing-kennels.