Boarding options for pet care during your vacation

Boarding Options for Pet Care

Every time you pack your bags for vacation, you have to face that troublesome concern: finding a place where your beloved pets can stay and have as much fun as you. If you’re like other pet owners, leaving your furry family member behind might leave you feeling guilty or worried while you’re trying to relax on vacation.

You can eliminate some of that stress if you find the right place for your pets. There are three main options available for your pet when you’re on vacation. You can have someone take care of your pet in your house, have your pet go to someone else’s place or take your pet with you. What you do with your cute little pets depends on how long you’re traveling, how much money you’re willing to spend and how much you trust others to take care of your lovable pets.

Here is a list of alternatives to help you determine the possible Boarding options for pet care during your vacation. Pet Sitting: Choosing the option to have a pet sitter to take care of your pets is one way to fuse the personal with professional. Many cats and dogs feel comfortable in their own environments, so having an experienced pet sitter come by for feedings, walks and playtimes is a positive option. Decide whether you want a sitter to simply visit your home on a daily basis to spend some quality time with your pet, or have them stay in your home for the duration of your vacation trip.

In-Home Pet Boarding: While choosing a pet sitter is a good option, so is in-home pet boarding. In-home boarding involves you bringing your pets to a pet sitter’s home in your area before leaving on vacation. Whether to in-home board or hire a pet sitter to come to your home depends on the needs of your pet during the vacation.

In-home boarding provides dogs the opportunity to socialize with other dogs under the supervision of a responsible pet owner, as well as individualized attention and more regular interaction. There are websites which allow you to search for pet sitters that offer in-home boarding near your place.

Traditional Boarding (Dog Kennels/Catteries): One standard option is placing pets in boarding kennels or catteries while you’re away on vacation. If this is your preferred choice, call ahead and arrange in advance and confirm that it has a Pet Care Services Association certification and the licensing of the caretakers.

If you have a cat, choose a boarding facility where your cat does not come into contact with other cats to avoid fights. Unless the cats are from the same family, they should not be put into the same room with other unfamiliar cats. Ask about a nice, large confinement area at the boarding place and that cats will have a litter box, toys, and food puzzles, as well as a hiding place within the area. You can find qualified boarding facilities by searching the pet websites.

Family Friend/Neighbor: Good friends or neighbors go delightfully every time they see your pet. Next time you take a vacation, consider asking them to stop in to feed and play with your little pets. Ensure that he/she is responsible and knowledgeable about the basics of pet care. If this friend or neighbor is a pet owner, offer to return the favor someday, and consider bringing them back a small token from your vacation trip as a thank you.

Search websites to find establishments that love your pet as much as you do. Make sure to serve your pets their food, medication, litter, favorite toy and bed.