House-sitters, Pet-sitters or Boarding?

Going away? Wondering how to have your pets looked after? But unsure of the best solution?

Don’t panic! Every solution has good points and drawbacks. What you need is the right solution for you. And pet owners themselves adopt one solution one time, and another the next.

It all depends on the circumstances!

Boarding facilities for dogs and cats

Kennels and catteries specialize in looking after pets in purpose-built premises when their owners are away. These are sometimes criticized. But they can be establishments of the highest quality run by skilled professionals who are real animal lovers.

Benefits of boarding:

• You can be sure a close watch is kept over your pet. Individual kennels may give onto small open areas where dogs can breathe fresh air and meet companions. In most good kennels, dogs are let out once or twice a day to run in a special compound
• Boarding is a practical solution for repeated and short owner absences.

Drawbacks:

• Some pets find it difficult to acclimatize. Cats in particular don’t like being moved from their familiar surroundings. Being kept cooped up, especially more than a few days, can be difficult for cats to bear, especially if they are used to roaming free. Some dogs are stressed by being moved to new surroundings and by the barking of other dogs, which they are unaccustomed to.
• The cost of boarding (charged by the day) can take a big chunk out of the holiday spending budget.

Calling on a pet-sitter

Benefits of pet-sitting :

• Practicality, as someone is in the neighborhood to look after your pets when left on their own all day.
• Pet-sitting is recommended for cats, who are territorial and don’t like being moved out of their normal surroundings.

Drawbacks :

• If the owner is away for a few days or more, short daily visits may not be enough. Pets may not like feeling their home is empty.
• Pet-sitters are generally paid by the hour or day. Pet-sitters can be costly when you go away on holiday.

Finding house-sitters to look after your pets at home

Drawbacks of house-sitting :

• The decision to have someone to live in your home may not be easy! You have to find the right person or persons, and that means taking time to get to know one another.
• The accommodation you provide a house-sitter must be of as high a standard as for a family guest.
• One possible snag is inviting pet-sitters to spend the night in your home, before you leave the next day. It’s the best option. Like that house-sitters can work through daily routines under supervision. And welcoming people into your home isn’t so difficult, especially if you share a meal and strike up a friendship!

Benefits of house-sitting :

• You’ve guessed! House-sitters keep your pets happy. Your four-legged companions stay in the home they are used to. They enjoy lots of company from people who give them the affection they need.
• House-sitters also keep watch over your home. Your property is occupied, the risk of break-in is reduced. Many home-owners like to have house-sitters to look after their home when on holiday, to stop it being left empty.
• This is a very low cost solution. House-sitters provide their services free of charge as they get accommodation in exchange for their services. The holiday budget for home-owners is that much less!
• House sitters can look after other animals too, of course. Not just dogs or cats, but horses in the paddock, chickens in the yard, or birds in cages. Home routines stay unchanged while you’re away!