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When pet parents travel but have no one to watch their furry companions, boarding can be a safe and necessary option.
But being away from home, adjusting to an unfamiliar environment and adapting to a new schedule can impact even the most easygoing cats and dogs. 
For those pets, the abrupt shift can temporarily affect appetite, digestion, behavior and even immune function. 
To help owners better support their animals, Dr. Erin Ray, a clinical assistant professor at the Texas A&M University College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, explains the most common sources of boarding-related stress and offers guidance on how owners can keep pets comfortable before, during and after their stay.
Why boarding can
be stressful for pets 
In addition to being in a new environment, boarding presents many changes for a pet. 
“Animals being away from their humans and other housemates can be really stressful,” Ray said.
Noise levels can also affect animals. 
“Oftentimes, boarding facilities are loud, especially when it comes to dogs,” Ray said. “If the facility is connected to a grooming area or veterinary clinic, pets may also hear unfamiliar sounds or sense the emotions of animals nearby.”
In addition, some pets are simply uncomfortable around other animals. 
“Seeing other dogs and cats in the same room, or even hearing them, can be really nerve-wracking,” Ray said. “For cats, in particular, the environment matters.” 
Some adjustment is normal when animals are put into boarding. 
“It’s really common for animals to not eat for the first 12 to 24 hours,” Ray said. “Mild, loose stool; pacing; panting; or hiding can also occur initially.”
To help animals cope with the stress, bringing familiar items from home, such as a T-shirt that smells like their owner or a favorite toy, can help ease the transition. However, the animal’s habits should be considered, as destructive chewers may not be able to safely keep certain items.
Preparing ahead of time 
Planning ahead can significantly reduce stress for both pets and owners. 
“If owners can plan ahead, they can tour facilities and, knowing their pet, determine if the facility will meet their pet’s needs,” Ray said.
Ray encourages owners to match the facility to their pet’s personality. For example, a high-energy dog may benefit from outdoor access or structured play, while a shy cat may need a quieter area away from heavy activity. 
“Most cats don’t want to look at one another,” Ray said. “Do the kennels or cat towers have places where my cat can hide or feel safe? Is there a quieter spot off, ideally a designated cat area, to one side of the building where my cat can stay? These are important questions for owners to ask.”
If a facility is not open to questions and tours, that may be an important sign for owners. 
“They should be proud of their facility,” Ray said. “Owners should be able to observe the facility’s cleanliness, organization and daily routines.” 
Vaccination requirements are another key consideration. 
“If vaccines are not requested, that concerns me,” Ray said. “Because group settings increase the risk of disease transmission, vaccines are essential.”
Before boarding, Ray also recommends checking in with your regular veterinarian — especially if your pet is elderly, medically fragile, or highly anxious — to discuss recommendations and determine if boarding is a safe option and if additional precautions should be made. 
Recognizing stress
after boarding
After picking your pet up from a boarding facility, it’s important to know that pets commonly go through a short period of readjustment after boarding — they may want extra attention, sleep more, or take a day to settle back into their routine.
However, persistent or severe signs — such as vomiting, diarrhea, coughing, lethargy, or significant behavior changes — should not be ignored. 
“Listen to your gut,” Ray said. “If you feel like something’s wrong with your animal, it’s worth making a phone call or having your pet seen by your veterinarian.”
Boarding doesn’t have to be stressful for owners or their pets. By planning ahead, choosing the right facility and keeping your pet’s needs in mind, owners can have an enjoyable trip, without worrying about their furry companions and return home to a happy and healthy pet.
Pet Talk is a service of the College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University. Stories can be viewed on the web at vetmed.tamu.edu/news/pet-talk. Suggestions for future topics may be directed to vmbs-editor@tamu.edu.

Paul Smith, right in the top photo, a regional representative with Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser's office, presents Bryce Merrill and Julana Senette with a proclamation from Nungesser to "honor and recognize the Gathright House on the occasion of its grand re-opening." Officials and volunteers kicked off a drive to restore the Gathright House, believed to be the second-oldest building in Morgan City and dating back to at least 1855, on Thursday at Municipal Auditorium. Brian M. Davis of the Louisiana Trust for Historic Preservation talked about the help that is available for such work, including tax credits. Among those who attended the event were Don Smith of Arcadia and Candace Bender of Gonzales, descendants of Zebulon Gathright. One of Morgan City's founding fathers, Gathright (1813-1877) owned the house when it was on First Street. Now it sits near the St. Mary Chamber of Commerce building near the auditorium. The Gathright House was placed on a state list of endangered historic buildings in 2024.

The Review/Bill Decker

On May 17, 1876, Mrs. Frances Brashear Lawrence — widow of Henry E. Lawrence and daughter of Dr. Walter Brashear, founder of the town of Brashear — donated one city block to the residents of Morgan City for use as a park.
Just months later, on July 4, 1876, over 500 citizens celebrated America’s 100th birthday in the park. However, it was years before the park developed into what we see today.
Because the property still held war fortifications left over from the Civil War at this time, citizens gathered to level these structures and to plant trees in honor of their relatives, living and dead.
Trees were planted in honor of Martin Croker, Charles Peterson, T.W. Nelson, Pierre Labitt, J. Bourdier, John Seltzner, H.M. Mayo, G. Serville, Gus Drews, Mrs. Capt. George Smith, Mr. O.B. Johnson, Mrs. C.H. St. Clair, Mrs. Jax. Costello, Mrs. William Costello, August Joret Sr., S. Lanaux, B.F. Winchester, Calvin Peaslee, William H. Gray, William B. Gray, Mrs. K.G. Sutton, E. Bass, Mrs. J.L. Collins, Mrs. W.T. Conklin, O. Ditch, F. Fontaine, L. Gougenheim. E.A. Landry, J. Lehmann, Charles Miller, H. Neuberger, Thomas Shannon, William O’Neil, and others.
In a photo taken before the park was developed, a close look reveals a goat grazing beside the man walking through Lawrence Park. Perhaps in response to that, in 1913, the Civic League organized by Mrs. A.F. Storm began cutting grass and barbering the outer fringe and hedges that surrounded the park.
The Cotten Bros. and Brownell-Drews Lumber Co. donated lumber, and the Civic League had swings constructed. Two local bands agreed to perform weekly, and the Civic League arranged for construction of a bandstand designed and built by P.B. Ghirardi in 1915.
Mrs. Joseph Dyer donated the park’s first fountain in 1916. You can see it in a picture behind little Thomas Lawrence, who is riding his tricycle in the park in that year.
A bronze plaque still attached to the fountain dedicates it to her father, Baron Randolph Natiliti, manager of the Morgan City railroad station at the riverfront. In 1908, he built Oneonta Park, a small zoo and park on the station grounds, which featured a fountain like the one in the park today. Vandals later destroyed that original fountain.
It was in commemoration of America’s Bicentennial in 1976 that a new bronze and copper section of the fountain resembling the Oneonta Park fountain of Baron Natili was installed.
Over the years, the park has also housed numerous animals, and in 1923, Morgan City’s local newspaper, The Daily Review, was soliciting donations from the public to equalize living arrangements among Morgan City’s zoo folk!
Resident monkey, Jocko de Monk, was said to possess a finer home than his three raccoon neighbors. His bachelor pad included a comfortable, private bedroom apart from his living room, while the Squirrel family of 11 was scandalously housed in only one room.
Shell the turtle, Allie Gator with his family, Madame Teal the duck, a large white rat, and a family of rabbits shared the park zoo with Bruin, the bear. Bruin was the city's oldest pet when he died in 1927 and was buried next to his cage in the park.
Enorky, Polly and Hootie, the parrots, lived under the bandstand and were taken out daily on a large stick. Finding one of their feathers was a treasure for the children who visited the park.
Lawrence Park has hosted many celebrations over the years. In 1917, Elmo Lincoln, Hollywood’s first Tarzan of the Apes, performed handstands on the handrails located on the second floor of the Berry Hotel across the street, and in 1918, the park was the site of Armistice Day commemorations.
Politicians and Hollywood actors have utilized the park bandstand for events. Louisiana’s own “Kingfish,” Huey P. Long, spoke for hours in his own colorful manner, and Jimmy Stewart and Joanne Dru were introduced to the locals following their production of the movie, “Thunder Bay,” in the area.
During World War II, war widows strolled their babies through the park, and following the war, 30-minute-long fire truck Street Showers for children were a popular event in parks around the city.
In 1952, newspaper headlines announced, “Over 1,000 Children Participate in Lawrence Park Activities!”
These summer activities for children included hopscotch, marbles, and wheelbarrow contests, ugliest doll and bubble blowing contests, a slow bike race, suitcase relay, and steal-the-bacon Tournaments, among others.
During Morgan City’s Centennial in 1960, Lawrence Park was the site of beard judging contests, kangaroo courts, barbershop concerts, and a time capsule ceremony.
We also recognize that, despite the peaceful atmosphere many of our residents have enjoyed over the past 150 years, Lawrence Park was for many decades a place of exclusion, where children of color in our city were confined to the sidewalks of Block 57.
Seeing Lawrence Park today, it is wonderful to acknowledge that the park is open to all and stands as the pleasant, peaceful, picnic-worthy heart of the Historic District of Morgan City. It is here that we gather to commemorate and celebrate our heritage and legacy with music and masses in the park during the Louisiana Shrimp & Petroleum Festival; skating and Lighting of the Oaks during Christmas Festival; parades and pictures in the park during Mardi Gras as well as during local high school homecoming and prom seasons.

MEMORIAL DAY
OBSERVANCE
By Marine Corps League St. Mary Detachment 600 at 11 a.m. Monday at Morgan City Cemetery.