As summer and spring break approach, many pet owners start to plan their vacations. Often a pet can present a problem, either because the pet does not transport well, is not allowed at the vacation destination or the pet owner wants a break from caring for the pet. Some pets such as birds, fish or small rodents may be less stressed if left at home, as is the case with some cats and dogs. The good news is that there are a few options that a pet owner has.
One is to have a friend or relative care for the pet.
Two is to board the pet.
Three is to have a pet sitter care for your pet.
Paul Mann, founder of Fetch! Pet Care has these suggestions:
“Home Alone: It is never okay to leave your pet home alone while you are on vacation without someone to care for them. Making sure the house is cool and leaving extra food and water out is not the only answer. There are a countless number of things that can go wrong under this scenario – all of which will make for a very stress-filled vacation.
Find a Reliable Sitter: While friends and family members can certainly be trustworthy, pet sitting isn’t their profession and chances are they won’t put as much effort into the care that you’d like. You should look for someone who considers this as a business opportunity and not someone who would consider it as a favor. Look for a professional sitter who can provide references and works for a company that is fully bonded and insured.
Meet and Greet: Before you leave on vacation, have the sitter over so you can introduce them to your pets and see how everyone interacts. The visit also gives you a chance to familiarize the sitter with your house.
Establish a Procedure: It is important to familiarize the sitter with your pets’ daily routine. Make sure the sitter is available to feed and walk them at their normal times. This will help make sure your pets don’t experience too much separation anxiety.
Take them along: Today there are a host of options for “pet friendly” airlines and hotels that make it easy to bring your pet along. Even though you have your pet with you, that doesn’t mean you’ll have ample free time to walk and feed them. If you find pet-friendly accommodations, look into a professional pet sitting service that will come to your hotel while you’re away – this option ensures that your four legged friend not feel left out of all the fun.”
FETCH! Pet Care was formed in 2002 and currently has over 1,800 service areas in the United States. All pet sitters and dog walkers are highly experienced and have been screened and insured to ensure service excellence and pet owner peace of mind. For more information, visit http://www.FetchPetCare.com or call 1-866-FETCH-ME.
You can also check the following:
Pet Sitters International http://www.petsit.com/educating-professional-pet-sitters
National Association of Professional Pet Sitters http://www.petsitters.org/
To find a pet friendly place to vacation see: http://www.examiner.com/x-24127-National-Pets-Examiner~y2010m3d2-Finding-pet-friendly-places-to-vacation-with-your-pet
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