I just returned from a 6-day trip and had to leave my dog and two cats at home. Every time those of us with dogs and cats (and rabbits and lizards, and turtles, and...) go away, there is always the question of who will care for our beloved pets. Before my dog of 15 years died, she spent the last 6 years of her life blind and, later on, frequently ill. This made it especially difficult to leave her. I hardly felt that it was fair to leave my blind dog in a kennel or with someone who didn't really know dogs and how to care for them.
I want my dog and cats to be as happy as possible while I’m away. So what are the options? My top two choices are either to take my dog to a friend’s house to stay (preferably one with a dog she likes to play with) or to have someone stay in my home and care for everyone in their normal surroundings. With a young, healthy dog with few behavioral challenges, finding someone to do this can be fairly easy. Consult your pet-loving friends to find out who know and trust. One of my favorite options has been to hire a vet tech. These people usually know their stuff, so if something happens to your dog or cat, they will know what to do. Going to your vet’s office and asking if any of the techs do pet sitting has yielded some terrific results for me. I always spend time with the person and watch him/her interact with my pets before hiring them, just to be sure I get a good feeling about how they treat my dog and cats and their trustworthiness.
It is also possible to find a good pet sitter through the many pet sitting businesses that have sprung up in recent years. They tend to be pricey, but when you start looking at kennel fees (especially for multiple pets), the difference is often negligible. The other good thing about taking this path is that you can find businesses that are insured and bonded, so you have nothing to worry about if something were to be stolen or your home were to be damaged in some way. No matter who you choose, be sure to leave detailed instructions. The more of your pets' regular schedule that can be maintained, the more comfortable they will be in your absence.
I prefer to use one of these options because it allows me to leave my pets in a familiar surrounding, whether at home or with a friend. Keep in mind that most cats are fine with just one or two visits a day, but most dogs need someone to stay with them overnight. They are much more reliant on human interaction, especially if they are feeling stressed in your absence.
Kennels and pet resorts are the other option. The range of facilities is enormous. You can use a traditional kennel but you can also take your dog to a boarding facility where someone will sleep in a bed in the room where your pet is staying! I have found that the boarding facilities that are reliable tend to be expensive, but sometimes worth that extra expense. If you have a dog with special needs, you may find that this is the way to go. If you use a boarding facility of any kind, make sure you get an extensive tour of the facilities. Good places do not have a bad odor and are filled with plenty of caretakers who are well trained, attentive, and knowledgeable. Keep in mind that price does not always guarantee quality. Trust your instincts. If the place and the people seem suspect in any way, take your business elsewhere.
And don’t assume that leaving a dog at a veterinarian’s facilities ensures good care. Many years ago I was forced to kennel one of my dogs (something I have rarely done), so I assumed the vet’s office was the way to go. When I returned, it immediately became apparent that she had been left in a cage for long periods of time without any exercise. When I picked her up, she had trouble walking! I was horrified and guilt-ridden. If you leave your dog at a vet’s office, make sure you get a good tour and know how much exercise and attention your dog will receive. If you aren’t allowed to see the facilities, run (don’t walk) out the door. Any boarding facility should be happy to show you everything. They should have nothing to hide.
There’s nothing wrong with checking in with your caretaker, whoever it is, to find out how your buddies are doing while you are away. I do this every time I travel. If you are made to feel badly about that, find yourself a new caretaker! With some research and a little luck, you will find someone or someplace that you can turn to regularly and planning future vacations will be easier. I find that if I have left my pets with someone that I really trust, vacation is so much more relaxing.
I want my dog and cats to be as happy as possible while I’m away. So what are the options? My top two choices are either to take my dog to a friend’s house to stay (preferably one with a dog she likes to play with) or to have someone stay in my home and care for everyone in their normal surroundings. With a young, healthy dog with few behavioral challenges, finding someone to do this can be fairly easy. Consult your pet-loving friends to find out who know and trust. One of my favorite options has been to hire a vet tech. These people usually know their stuff, so if something happens to your dog or cat, they will know what to do. Going to your vet’s office and asking if any of the techs do pet sitting has yielded some terrific results for me. I always spend time with the person and watch him/her interact with my pets before hiring them, just to be sure I get a good feeling about how they treat my dog and cats and their trustworthiness.
It is also possible to find a good pet sitter through the many pet sitting businesses that have sprung up in recent years. They tend to be pricey, but when you start looking at kennel fees (especially for multiple pets), the difference is often negligible. The other good thing about taking this path is that you can find businesses that are insured and bonded, so you have nothing to worry about if something were to be stolen or your home were to be damaged in some way. No matter who you choose, be sure to leave detailed instructions. The more of your pets' regular schedule that can be maintained, the more comfortable they will be in your absence.
I prefer to use one of these options because it allows me to leave my pets in a familiar surrounding, whether at home or with a friend. Keep in mind that most cats are fine with just one or two visits a day, but most dogs need someone to stay with them overnight. They are much more reliant on human interaction, especially if they are feeling stressed in your absence.
Kennels and pet resorts are the other option. The range of facilities is enormous. You can use a traditional kennel but you can also take your dog to a boarding facility where someone will sleep in a bed in the room where your pet is staying! I have found that the boarding facilities that are reliable tend to be expensive, but sometimes worth that extra expense. If you have a dog with special needs, you may find that this is the way to go. If you use a boarding facility of any kind, make sure you get an extensive tour of the facilities. Good places do not have a bad odor and are filled with plenty of caretakers who are well trained, attentive, and knowledgeable. Keep in mind that price does not always guarantee quality. Trust your instincts. If the place and the people seem suspect in any way, take your business elsewhere.
And don’t assume that leaving a dog at a veterinarian’s facilities ensures good care. Many years ago I was forced to kennel one of my dogs (something I have rarely done), so I assumed the vet’s office was the way to go. When I returned, it immediately became apparent that she had been left in a cage for long periods of time without any exercise. When I picked her up, she had trouble walking! I was horrified and guilt-ridden. If you leave your dog at a vet’s office, make sure you get a good tour and know how much exercise and attention your dog will receive. If you aren’t allowed to see the facilities, run (don’t walk) out the door. Any boarding facility should be happy to show you everything. They should have nothing to hide.
There’s nothing wrong with checking in with your caretaker, whoever it is, to find out how your buddies are doing while you are away. I do this every time I travel. If you are made to feel badly about that, find yourself a new caretaker! With some research and a little luck, you will find someone or someplace that you can turn to regularly and planning future vacations will be easier. I find that if I have left my pets with someone that I really trust, vacation is so much more relaxing.
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