Finding the Perfect Pet Sitter, Part 3

In this series of articles, we have been outlining the best ways to find the perfect pet sitter.

Another place to consider for pet sitting are boarding kennels that offer overnight stays, and places which offer doggie day care, with and without grooming.

There are also catteries, where you can leave your cat while you are out of town.

In a lot of cases, if it is just a short trip, you can leave your cat with plenty of food, or if they tend to stuff themselves, with a timed food bowl that pops open at meal times.

But with a dog, it needs to be walked, and above all, it really needs human attention and interaction.

The bottom line is that entrusting your pet to a stranger can be a bit disconcerting. However, when you find the right person, they can literally be a lifesaver especially if you work long hours or need someone in a pinch, like if you suddenly have to go out of town on business.

Even better, if you can find people who can pet sit, do dog walking, offer doggie day care, or even offer boarding, so much the better, since you will have a wider variety of choices.

In the long run, however, the final say belongs to your pet. They have an inner instinct about people that sometimes we, as humans, cannot detect. For example, my male dog did not like one particular day care place, and almost jumped out of his skin when he saw I was leaving him there again, so I stopped bringing him.  I had other places to go where he wagged his tail and ran right up to the door, eager to go in to see all his doggie and human friends. In fact, I discovered they kept him in reception all the time in one place, in a large caged off area, because he was so friendly that he soothed all the nervous new dogs. That was also the puppy play pen, and apparently he was excellent at ‘child supervision’ to be sure the pups did not play too roughly.

So find out as many facts as you can before you bring them for day care and especially for boarding overnight. Work them in gradually, perhaps an hour or two at a time rather than all day, or as you are dashing off to the airport.  Above all, trust your dog’s instincts and your own, or your cat’s, and you will find the right pet support system for you and your pet.

FURTHER READING
PET SAFETY IN SUMMER AND WARM WEATHER

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