What to do With Your Pets While You Vacation

You’ve planned the perfect vacation. You have cleared the time off from work. You probably arranged for someone to collect your mail in your absence.  You’ve placed you super valuables in storage. But, you still feel like you are forgetting about something. Then it hits you; your pets! Most pets aren’t able to care for themselves over extended periods of time. Deciding what to do with your pets when you go on vacation is a big part of vacation planning. So, what are your options?

Take them with you. This might not always be a feasible option, depending on where you’re going. But, if you’ve taken vacations for singles and you can’t bear to be away from Fido or Mittens for any amount of time, you can always find lodging that accepts pets. You may be surprised at how many hotels are pet friendly and even have on-site kennels for your day trips without your furry companion. When traveling with pets, it is important to make frequent stops for potty and drink breaks. Unlike a child, your pet can’t tell you when he needs to relieve himself, so be considerate and keep him as comfortable as possible. A happy pet will make a happier trip!

Take them to a kennel. This is a popular option for vacationers. There are many types of kennels available. They range from a mom and pop run farm to a five star posh pet hotel. Many veterinarian offices have kennels on-site. If you have never kenneled your animal before, you should definitely do your research to find which set up will be the best fit for your pet. Rates will vary as well, depending on how many animals you have and the amenities offered during your pet’s stay. Some questions to ask your kennel include feeding arrangements. Do you need to bring food for your pet or do they provide it? If you know your pet is anxious when she is away from you, you may want to ask if it is okay to bring some comfort items from home, like her favorite bed or chew toy.

Hiring a pet sitter is another option. Some folks don’t want to disturb their pet’s normal routine, so they hire someone to come to their home to care for their animals. Obviously, you will want to hire someone you trust. If you are hiring a stranger, find out if they are bonded. This means that they are insured to cover any damage or loss which could occur while they are in your employment. I recommend that you check references on anyone you will be inviting into your home to care for your pets.

Things like automatic feeders are used by some, but obviously mechanical devices are no substitute for human care.

Related posts:

1. How to Plan for Long Time Travel When going away for an extended period of time there...

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.