What To Do With Your Pets While You’re Away

March 17, 2023

With March break coming up, many families are heading out of town. But what to do about your pets while you’re away?

Going away on vacation can be stressful with so many things to remember and do. It’s a good idea to start looking for a pet minder weeks or months before you go away. Most pet minders get booked up pretty early, especially during the busy holiday seasons.

Ask A Friend

If you’re lucky enough to know a friend who can recommend a trustworthy pet sitter, then go for it! A reliable endorsement from a friend is the best way to know that your pet will be lovingly cared for while you’re away.

Pet Sitters and House Sitters

If you have a particularly sensitive or sickly pet, then finding a house sitter is your best option. It might cost you a little more, but your pets will feel more relaxed in their own surroundings and will love having new people to hang out with all day. House sitters also do other tasks such as watering your plants, picking up the mail and maintaining a clean and tidy environment. Some will even cut the grass or shovel the snow, if you’re lucky!

Boarding Kennel

If you’re leaning towards a boarding kennel, try to find one out in the country that offers an immersive experience and adventures in the open, fresh air. For some high-energy dogs, this is the ideal solution, as they not only get to enjoy running off leash through woodland trails and fields, but they’ll get to hang out with other dogs and maybe meet some new friends along the way.

Finding a boarding kennel with a good reputation can be a risky option. You hope that your dog will have so much fun, they won’t even miss you, but a lot of things can go wrong. So do due diligence and research the facilities, visit and interview the owners and ask for references. Getting a feel for the place and seeing firsthand how your dog reacts to the dog sitters and the environment will give you a good idea of it’s a viable option.

Here are a few things to look out for and questions to ask during your recce of the boarding kennel:

Check customer testimonials and ask friends if they’ve heard of the kennel.
Are all doggie boarders checked for fleas and ticks?
Observe the cleanliness and layout of the facility. Are cleaning products dog-friendly?
Is there a securely fenced area where the dogs can run and play off leash?
Ask what a typical day looks like for the dogs: how much time spent outside, does that include woodland trail walking, how many walks per day?
Is there heating and air conditioning?
Will they have a fresh supply of water at all time?
What happens in the event of an emergency?
Is there 24-hour supervision?
What are the qualifications of staff members?
Do they send daily updates and photos of your dog’s visit?

Make sure you supply the kennel with enough food to cover your time away. A change in diet could upset an already nervous dog.

Only board your dog with a kennel that is recognized by a certified board of professionals. Also, make sure that they require full immunization of their canine visitors, including Bordetella, distemper, hepatitis, parvovirus, parainfluenza, and rabies.

Once you find the perfect arrangements for your pets, you’ll be more relaxed and be able to enjoy your vacation worry-free.