If you have ever traveled away from home and left your pet behind you know it can be a nerve wracking experience. Determining what to do with your pet while you are gone is equally stressful, as there are many options – all with their own pros and cons. The decision will ultimately come down to what works best for your pet and what you feel most comfortable with; armed with the right information you are better able to make that decision.
Kennel. Taking your pet to a kennel means that someone will be with him more often, and there is likely easy access to a veterinarian in the unfortunate event that your pet gets ill or injured. It is also the most secure option for you, as you will not have liability concerns with your pet, nor will you need to be concerned about someone in your house without you there. The downside is that kennel’s require additional vaccinations. Your pet might feel additional stress at being in a different location and not having their beloved human around. Usually, the boarding facility is adept at dealing with these issues and will take extra steps to dote on your pet while you are away.
Friends. Having a friend come over to watch the pet or paying a neighborhood kid to take care of kitty while you are gone is the most affordable method, and is probably fine if you are gone for a night or two. The problems you might run into are the experience level of the person taking care of your pet. Dogs, for example, can get extra aggressive when you aren’t home – would the neighborhood kid be able to handle that? There are some additional liability concerns as well. If your friend forgets to lock the door behind them and things go missing, you have little recourse. Despite this, the benefits of leaving pets at home are numerous. Pets are happier and experience less stress at home, diet and exercise routines are uninterrupted, and a pet’s exposure to illness is minimized.
Professional Sitter. A professional pet sitter has the experience and qualifications necessary to appropriately care for companion animals. There are a variety of accreditation programs available. Professional education and training in the care of companion animals include topics such as health and nutrition, canine and feline behavior, separation anxiety and pet loss. Professional Pet sitters might also be bonded and have liability insurance. These policies fully cover pets and property and provide pet owners peace of mind while they are away. Professional pet sitting companies often screen their employees, allaying any security concerns. While they cost more than the neighborhood kids, the payoff could greatly benefit your pet, particularly in an emergency.
