As Spring break approaches, many of us are contemplating vacation plans. Whether it's picturing the warm, turquoise waters of the Caribbean or envisioning hitting the slopes in the Rocky Mountains, one thing remains certain: if you have pets, arrangements need to be made for their care while you're away. In the past, when we lived closer to family, they would watch our dogs for us. However, since our move across the country, that option is no longer available to us.
Fortunately, we've been fortunate enough to discover a fantastic local dog boarding facility that we trust implicitly to care for our pets while we're away. Whether you rely on the help of friends or family, hire a dog sitter, utilize doggy daycare services, or opt for a dog boarding facility, there are crucial considerations to address before entrusting them with your beloved furry companions.
Here are 10 steps to help you choose the right pet sitter or boarding facility:
1. Ask for Recommendations: Start by asking friends, family, neighbors, or your veterinarian for recommendations. Personal referrals can often provide valuable insights into the quality of a petsitter's services.
2. Check Credentials and Experience: Look for pet sitters who are licensed, bonded, and insured. Also, inquire about their experience with different types of pets, especially if you have pets with special needs.
3. Read Reviews and Testimonials: Check online reviews and testimonials on platforms like Google, Yelp, or pet-sitting-specific websites. Reading about other pet owners' experiences can give you a sense of the petsitter's reliability and professionalism.
4. Meet in Person: Schedule a meeting with the pet sitter/ boarding facility before using them. This allows you to assess their demeanor, professionalism, and how they interact with your pets. Observe how your pets respond to the sitter as well. If the pet sitter operates from a facility such as a pet daycare or boarding facility, visit the premises to assess the cleanliness, safety, and overall environment. It will help your animals adjust to their home away from home while you are away.
5. Discuss Services and Policies: During the meeting, discuss the services the pet sitter offers, such as feeding, walking, grooming, administering medication, and spending quality time with your pets. Make sure you understand their policies regarding cancellations, emergencies, and additional fees. A lot of boarding facilities have options to add on extra walks, treats, spa services, etc.
6. Ask for References: Request references from the pet sitter/facility and follow up with them to ask about their experiences. A reputable pet sitter should have satisfied clients who are willing to vouch for their services.
7. Clarify Communication: Ensure that the pet sitter is accessible and responsive to communication, whether through phone calls, text messages, or email. Clear communication is essential for updates on your pets while you're away. We personally keep in contact and get frequent updates on our animals while we are away. It helps give me peace of mind. It's hard to be away from our babies.
8. Know Pricing Beforehand: Make sure you know the pricing ahead of time. There is nothing worse than getting back from a trip and having unexpected expenses. Prices can vary greatly depending on location, number of dogs, size of kennel you select and various add ons. I suggest you get everything in writing and have it emailed to you for your records.
9. Arrange a Trial Period: Consider arranging a trial period where the pet sitter cares for your pets for a short duration while you're still in town. This allows you to evaluate their performance and your pets' comfort level before committing to a longer arrangement. This also applies if you are using a boarding facility. Many boarding facilities prefer this as well as it helps them get an idea of how your dog will interact with staff and other dogs on site.
10.Trust Your Instincts: Ultimately, trust your instincts when selecting a pet sitter or boarding facility. If something doesn't feel right or if you have any doubts about their suitability, it's better to explore other options. This is a huge one for me. I feel like I’m a good judge of character. If I get a bad feeling, I'm out of there. ALWAYS TRUST YOUR GUT!
By following these steps and conducting thorough research, you can find a professional pet sitter or boarding facility who will provide excellent care for your beloved pets while you're away. There is nothing worse than being away from your fur babies and having to worry about them. So go ahead and book that vacation, have a fantastic time and rest knowing that you did your homework and that your fur-babies are having a great time and that they are safe and sound.
P.S. Don't forget to bring them back a little something from your adventures. 🐾😁 I'm sure they'll love it.
