With the holiday vacation season upon us, now is the time to make arrangements for Fluffy and Fido. Regardless whether you will be traveling out of state to see family, or just simply gone for an extended period of the day on or around the holidays, what should you do with your furry family members?
There are 2 options of care for your pets while you are away: Pet sitting or kennel boarding. In my opinion, pet sitting is a much better option for the safety, health and well being of your pet. Before I became the owner of Angel Pet Sitting, I used a reputable pet sitting company in our area to take care of my two dogs. This gave me the peace of mind to enjoy my vacation, knowing that my girls were comfortable and happy at home, with visits regularly from their pet sitter. They received individualized attention each day and I took comfort in knowing that the pet sitter would not miss any unusual details or habits that would come up, because she was only caring for my dogs at the time of her visits.
Although kennels and boarding facilities have improved over the years, there are still risks associated with using these facilities. One of the major concerns for your pet is that they are exposed to many unfamiliar animals and possibly unfamiliar germs. Although most kennels require proof of vaccinations, there are other communicable diseases that there are no immunizations for. In addition, things like worms are easily spread throughout an environment like a kennel. This would be the same for boarding at a veterinary office or hospital, where many sick animals will be coming into contact with your pet.
For those who prefer their pet being out of their house while they are away, there are some great “pet resorts”, however they will usually come with a hefty price tag. If you are interested in having your pet receive individualized attention, daily walks, or specific feeding instructions and medications, these services will usually come with an extra fee. The service can be excellent, but it is not usually cost effective and accessible for all budgets.
A reputable pet sitting company, like Angel Pet Sitting, will give your pets individualized attention, good exercise and TLC, while at the same time being affordable. Your pets won’t need to get stressed out, as they will be staying in their own, comfortable environment. Professional pet sitting companies are bonded and insured and all their pet sitters will have a plethora of experience with all types of animals. Most companies will offer a free consultation, so you are able to meet with your pet sitter before your vacation. This is a great time to provide any and all information regarding your pet’s care and see how your pet responds to the pet sitter.
In addition to taking care of your pet, most professional pet sitting companies will offer complimentary services like retrieving your mail, altering your lights and watering your plants. See if you can find a kennel that will do that! Overall, a pet sitter is a better option for the health, safety and well being of your pets. And for households with multiple pets, it is often a much more affordable option as well. For more information on pet sitting and how to choose a pet sitter, go to http://www.petsit.com/hire-a-professional-pet-sitter.
Happy Holidays!
Jean Brillman
Owner, Angel Pet Sitting, Inc.