Every fall, El Paso pet owners face the same problem: they wait too long to book boarding, and by the time Thanksgiving or Christmas rolls around, the good facilities are full. If you've ever scrambled to find last-minute care for your dog or cat before a trip, you know exactly how stressful that is.

The good news? Getting ahead of it is simpler than most people think — and it starts with one step: the pet evaluation.

El Paso's fall travel season is busier than most cities realize. Between military families rotating in and out of Fort Bliss, holiday travel, and the general rush of October through December, quality boarding facilities book up weeks — sometimes months — in advance.

At My Pet Motel, we see it every year. Families who call in early October to book Thanksgiving dates often find we're already at capacity. The ones who planned ahead in September? They're relaxed, their pets are already evaluated and approved, and they have their dates locked in.

The difference between a stressful scramble and a smooth trip is usually just a few weeks of lead time.

Before any new pet can stay at My Pet Motel, they need to complete a free evaluation. This isn't a formality — it's one of the most important things we do.

Here's what the evaluation covers:

Temperament and social behavior. We want to understand how your pet interacts with people and other animals. Some dogs are social butterflies; others do better with more space and quieter surroundings. Knowing this upfront lets us place your pet in the right environment from day one.

Health and vaccination check. We verify that your pet is current on required vaccinations — Rabies, DHPP, and Bordetella for dogs; Rabies and FVRCP for cats. This protects every animal in our care, including yours.

A chance to explore the facility. For many pets, the first visit is the most important one. Getting to sniff around, meet the staff, and see the space before their first overnight stay makes a huge difference in how comfortable they feel when they come back.

A chance for you to ask questions. We want you to feel confident leaving your pet with us. The evaluation is a two-way conversation — you should leave knowing exactly what to expect.

The whole process usually takes 30 to 45 minutes, and there's no charge.

Preparation makes the evaluation go smoothly for everyone. Here's what to have ready:

• Current vaccination records. Printed or digital copies both work. For dogs: Rabies, DHPP (or DA2PPV), and Bordetella. For cats: Rabies and FVRCP.
• Your pet on a leash or in a carrier. Dogs should be leashed; cats and small animals should be in a secure carrier.
• Any relevant medical history. If your pet takes medication, has dietary restrictions, or has any behavioral notes from your vet, bring that information along.
• A list of questions. This is your chance to ask about feeding schedules, playtime, suite options, and anything else on your mind.

If your pet's vaccinations aren't current, schedule a vet appointment before coming in. Most vaccines need a few days to take effect, so don't wait until the week before your trip.

Once your pet completes the evaluation and is approved, you're ready to book. You can reserve specific dates for boarding or daycare, and your pet's profile is on file so future check-ins are quick and easy.

Approval is the norm — the evaluation is designed to help us understand your pet, not to screen them out. In the rare case that a pet needs a different type of care than we offer, we'll let you know right away so you have time to make other arrangements.

A little preparation goes a long way toward making the evaluation a positive experience for your pet.

Exercise them beforehand. A tired dog is a calmer dog. Take your pup for a walk or a run before the appointment so they arrive relaxed rather than bouncing off the walls.

Keep the mood calm. Pets pick up on your energy. If you're anxious about the evaluation, they'll sense it. Treat it like any other outing — matter-of-fact and low-key.

Avoid feeding a large meal right before. A light stomach is better for a pet that might be a little nervous or excited in a new environment.

Bring their favorite treat. A familiar reward can help your pet associate the new space with something positive.

If you're planning to board your pet for Thanksgiving, aim to complete the evaluation by mid-October at the latest. For Christmas and New Year's, early November gives you the most flexibility.

As a general rule: the earlier you schedule the evaluation, the more date options you'll have. Fall is our busiest season, and we can only accommodate so many pets at once.

If you're not sure when you'll need boarding yet, that's okay — schedule the evaluation anyway. Getting your pet approved now means you can book on short notice later without any delays.

We're El Paso's only all-inclusive pet resort, which means every stay includes climate-controlled suites, daily playtime and socialization, feeding on your schedule, and our Daily Pup-Date photo updates so you can see how your pet is doing while you're away.

Our staff is CPR certified, our facility is monitored by cameras around the clock, and we're open seven days a week from 7 am to 7 pm. We're also just 18 minutes from El Paso International Airport — easy to drop off on the way out and pick up on the way back.

We take the evaluation seriously because we take your pet's safety seriously. Every animal in our care has been through the same process, which means your pet is always in a safe, well-matched environment.

Fall spots are already filling up. The best thing you can do right now is schedule your pet's free evaluation so you're ready to book when you need us.

Reserve your pet's fall boarding spot — or call us directly at (915) 751-8817. We're happy to answer any questions and get your pet on the calendar.

Don't wait until November to find out we're full. A quick call today can make your whole fall travel season a lot less stressful.