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Dog-friendly holidays have become increasingly popular in recent years but there are some destinations and types of vacation that are not compatible with pets – so what do you do if you want to go away without your dog?
There are several options and what you choose will depend on your individual pet, as well your own preferences and budget. It is important to do your research and arrange care in plenty of time to avoid stress – both for you and your dog.
Boarding kennels
This is where a dog stays in an individual kennel and run, in a building that is separate from the owner’s home. Boarding kennels can hold large numbers of dogs so they can be stressful environments for some.
Since October 2018, licensed dog boarding kennels must adhere to a set of regulations that meet the basic welfare needs of dogs. These include:
- Their own kennel unit unless sharing with another dog from your household
- Access to their own sleeping area at all times
- Enough space in the kennel to sit, stand, stretch, walk, and turn around
- At least one walk a day
- Toys to keep them occupied
Before booking your dog into a boarding kennel, be sure that you are leaving your pet with someone that you trust. Ask your vet and other dog owners in the area for their recommendations and read online reviews.
When you visit prior to booking your dog in, it is a good opportunity to ask lots of questions to help inform your decision. Are you made to feel welcome and do the current boarders look happy and healthy? Are the facilities clean, dry and secure? How much exercise will they give your dog? What are the staffing levels like and how much social contact will your dog have? Can the kennel accommodate any medical issues your dog has? How do they monitor pets?
If anything makes you feel uneasy, or if the owner cannot or will not answer any of your questions, walk away.
Pet sitter
A pet sitter is someone who will stay in your home while you’re away to look after your pet. The benefits of this are that your dog will not have to leave their familiar surroundings, and your home will not stand empty while you are away.
Finding someone who you can trust to look after your pet in your own home might seem daunting but The National Association of Registered Pet Sitters can help by providing a list of members in your area. You could also ask other dog owners you know for their recommendations.
Meet a pet sitter before booking them to make sure that you are confident they will be able to cater for your dog’s needs. Ask lots of questions so that you can be confident they are the right person to look after your dog and that they can cater for any medical or behavioural issues your dog might have.
Introductory sessions where the pet sitter takes your dog for a walk can help to make sure that they are happy with the situation before you go away.
If anything makes you feel uneasy, or if they cannot or will not answer any of your questions, walk away.
Home dog boarding
If you want your dog to have individual care but would rather not have a house sitter, they can go to stay in a pet sitter’s home. Unlike a boarding kennel, dogs who are home boarding will stay inside a sitter’s home and they will be the only pet, other than any resident pets. If your dog does not mix well, you can find sitters that do not have any pets of their own.
Look for an agency that can match your pet to a sitter and read online reviews beforehand. Before booking your dog in, meet with the sitter and take your dog to their home to make sure they are happy with the surroundings.
Ask lots of questions so that you can be confident they are the right person to look after your dog and that they can cater for any medical or behavioural issues your dog might have.
If anything makes you feel uneasy, or if they cannot or will not answer any of your questions, walk away.
Arranging care for your pet as early as possible will give you the best chance of finding a good match for their needs. Getting it right will mean a stress-free holiday for you and a better chance of returning home to a happy pet.
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