[Felina]

Animal lovers who find it hard to say goodbye to "Spot" or "Fluffy" when going on vacation can take them along for the trip to Walt Disney World Resort. Guests can board their pets at one of five Walt Disney World Resort Kennel Club facilities across property with one at each Walt Disney World theme park and one at Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground.

While guests are busy meeting Cinderella or blasting off on the new high-thrill Epcot attraction, Mission: SPACE, their pets are well taken care of at the Disney kennels. "I feel like their grandmother, I love babysitting for them and am happy when they're reunited with their family," says Donna Martin who works at Disney's Animal Kingdom Kennel Club. Martin has spent 13 of her 19 years with Disney working at the kennels. "When they're here, the dogs and cats are like my babies...and I love caring for them."

The kennels offer overnight boarding for guests' cuddly pals, but aren't all "gone to the dogs." Accommodations are available for other critters, such as rabbits, ferrets, small rodents, birds and non-venomous snakes (provided guests supply a carrying case). All cats and dogs have to be at least 8 weeks old to be kenneled.

As a member of the American Boarding Kennel Association, Walt Disney World kennels require its furry boarders to have up-to-date vaccinations. Guests are also required to walk their dog at least twice a day. As an option to "walkin' the dog," the Epcot kennel offers a dog-walking service for $2.50 per walk.

Boarding a pet at a Walt Disney World kennel costs $6 per pet, per day. For overnight boarding, guests staying at a Walt Disney World Resort hotel save by paying $9 per pet per night. The cost for day guests is $11 per pet overnight.

Camping with pets is welcome at designated Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground campsites. Should guests choose for their pooch to "ruff" it, there is a fee of $5 per day, per campsite. Guests can specially request a pet site when making reservations at 407/W-DISNEY.

Kennel Locations and Telephone Numbers

For more information, guests may call the kennels located in the following areas:
Magic Kingdom -- 407/824-6568
Epcot -- 407/560-6229
Disney-MGM Studios -- 407/560-4282
Disney's Animal Kingdom -- 407/938-2100
Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground -- 407/824-2735