Whether you are going on holiday and can't take your pet with you or just going to work and worry about your pet being on their own during the day, the good news is that there are a variety of pet-sitting services to consider. In this article we touch on some of these options, from the more traditional boarding kennels to in-house pet-sitters, luxury dog and cat hotels, and even day care facilities.
1. Hotels & 'Homes'
In recent years there has been an increase in the number of luxury hotels for dogs and cats in South Africa. Although the exact set-up and services offered by these hotels differ, generally speaking you can choose a private room for your pet and he or she will enjoy large play areas both inside and outside. Dogs will have a chance to socialise often with other dogs of a similar size and enjoy individual and group play sessions plus daily walks.
Many hotels also additional services and even a web-cam, which can give you peace of mind while you are away.
There are also many passionate pet-lovers that offer a 'home-away-from-home', where they will take your pet in to their own home to look after them. They generally take in fewer pets than the hotels so your pet will not be exposed to too many other pets which may be a better option if they are not well socialised.
Some of these 'homes' are also breed specific when it comes to dogs, as the pet-sitter has more experience with a type of breed or size dog and is therefore in a better position to provide care that is specific to those dogs.
2. Boarding kennels & catteries
Boarding kennels and catteries can be a cost-effective option. They range massively in terms of size and environment, so it’s wise to get recommendations and to visit to ensure they are a good fit for your pet. Some animals will thrive in a busy environment, however, some pets can find the noise a little stressful and feel out of their comfort zone. Many kennels offer plenty of opportunity for exercise and socialisation.
3. In-house pet-sitting
You may be happier knowing your pet is staying in their own home environment in familiar 'territory' with their home comforts, in which case a trusted pet-sitter or pet-sitting service is worth considering. This may be a less stressful experience for those pets who are a little anxious while their owners are away.
The key is finding a pet-sitter or pet-sitting service that you can rely on. First and foremost, ask for recommendations from friends or your local community. Check up with references and also find out if the pet-sitter has any relevant qualifications (animal behaviour, training and first aid), if they carry their own insurance and what the back-up plan would be should they fall ill or no longer be able to care for your pet while you are away.
Pet-sitters can come to your home once, twice or three times a day or you can ask them to stay over-night or even full-time while you are away. If you have lots of different animals, or a cat or dog with special medical requirements or that feels safest in a routine, then this might be a good all-in-one option for you.
4. Day-care options
We know how hard it is saying goodbye to your beloved pet in the morning with promises of evening walks and playtime when you return, or you could be someone who wonders what their pet gets up to during the day or whether they get enough stimulation and exercise while you're away.
You can now send your pet to a day-care facility where they can socialise with other pets, go for walks and some even have structured playtime and nap time to ensure their well-being is taken care of.
Many day-care facilities have qualified behaviourists and trainers so your dog will get the best care as well as the daily training they need.
At these facilities you usually pay a fixed monthly fee. You drop your pet off each morning on your way to work and collect them at the end of the day.
Alternatively, you can seek the help of a local and recommended pet-sitter or dog-walker who can pop in to your home once or twice a day to give your pet the love and attention they so deserve.
Questions to ask anyone caring for your pet:
When choosing which options suit you and your pet, be sure to research more than one. Do some comparisons, get references and referrals and ask questions.
These questions may help as a starting point:
- How much exercise will your pet enjoy every day?
- Will your pet play with other animals?
- If your dog is not well socialised, how will they handle this and how will your dog be exercised?
- Will your pet get one-on-one time with a care-giver?
- Is food included or excluded from the price and are special diets accommodated?
- What are the entry ‘requirements’? (i.e. vaccinations and the like)
- Who is the vet ‘on call’?
- Are there any penalties if you happen to arrive late to pick them up?
Health requirements to consider:
Many of these pet-sitting facilities require that your pets' routine health care is up-to-date, whether your cat or dog is staying for one night only or longer. This includes:
What to pack
Whether your cat or dog is staying for a day or a week, we suggest you pack some of their 'comforts', their favourite treats as well as the food that he or she is used to. Here is a quick packing list to consider:
- Food and special treats (see our range for dogs and cats).
- Bed and blanket (see our range for dogs and cats).
- Favourite toy or comforter (see our range for dogs and cats).
- Collar and leash (see our range for dogs and cats).
- Any medication
We hope this has helped you with finding the best possible home-away-from-home for your pet while you are away.
Happy and healthy
The Absolute Pets team