Caring For Pets While You Are Away

Caring for Pets While You Are Away

 

“There is no greater guilt inflicted than the look you receive

as you close the door.”

                                                -Anonymous Pet Owner

 

GENERAL RULE:        Most pets prefer the status quo, meaning they don’t like travel.  While you may be tempted to take your pet with you, you may wish to reconsider.

ISSUES AND PROBLEMS:

There are three important considerations:

 Physical impairment, temperament and travel sickness may do more harm than good.

  • Preparation to take your pet with you can be extensive.
  • Airlines and hotels/motels and foreign countries have pet-related restrictions and/or requirements.

 

 SUGGESTONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS:

 If you must take your pet with you:

  • Make sure your pet is in sound health and has all required vaccinations.  (Check with your vet.)
  • Identification tags and/or micro-chips are critical, should your pet get away or be misplaced by a carrier.  (The number one reason for pet death is that pets are never recovered and either die of starvation, are hit, become prey or are found and subsequently put to death.)
  • Gather and include all supplies, (including toys and comfortable bedding) and medicines for the trip.
  • Plan, plan, plan where you will provide “relief” breaks for your pet (making sure the pet is on leash).
  • Make reservations with motels/hotels which accept pets.
  • Do not travel with windows down or to allow a dog to “hang its head outside.”  Many dogs get hit or jump from cars and die.

 

If you decide that your pet should not travel, consider these alternatives:

 

  • Board your pet at a kennel – Make sure to get references and personally inspect the facility and ask questions.  Vet offices often can make valuable recommendations.  Our site provides a listing of care facilities in and near the county, but makes no recommendations or representations as to their quality or prices.  Reputable facilities will require medical and behavioral information about your pet.
  • Have a friend or relative look after your pet – Prefer to have your friend or relative take the pet into their home (pets do get lonely with extended absences).   If, however, they have their own pets you must make sure there is compatibility with both the other animals and the friend or relative.  If your pet and their pet “get into it,” your pet will likely be the one that gets isolated or punished.  Provide written instructions and contact information.
  • Hire a pet sitter for in-house care – Personally interview all candidates and check references.  Ask your vet and friends who own pets for names of recommended sitters. Our site provides a listing of care facilities in and near the county, but makes no recommendations or representations as to their quality or prices.  Make early recommendations around peak travel and holiday periods.  Leave written instructions (including photos and names if more than one pet is involved) and where you can be reached.  Make sure you have sufficient supplies (food, litter box, etc.) to last beyond your planned leave.  Give the sitter a “tour” of your home and the location of alarm systems and power panels.  “Pet proof” your home as best you can.  Leave an extra key with a neighbor and let them and police know that a sitter will be coming into the house.  Check the Yellow Pages under “Pet Sitting Services.” You can also contact the National Association of Professional Pet Sitters (800-296-PETS), or call the APL or your Vet. 

 SUMMARY: 

 Leaving your pet at home or taking the pet with you can be traumatic for you and your pet.  In either case, thoughtful and advanced planning can make the process more tolerable for you and your pet.  Remember that most pets prefer to stay in their familiar surroundings, so a “pet sitter” may be the best answer.  If you are to be absent for an extended period of time, however (weeks or months), then it may be wiser to board the pet or leave them in the trusting care of a friend or relative as pets get lonely.  Some “pet sitter” will provide multiple and extended visits but you should be prepared to pay extra.  Make arrangements early.

 If your pet must travel, make sure it is healthy, fully vaccinated and identified by tags or micro-chip, or both.  (Lost and unidentified pets often results in their unfortunate demise.)  Plan your trip carefully and take precautions.  Most motels and hotels will not take pets.  Never leave a pet for any extended time in your vehicle and certainly not overnight. 

 

 

Revised 2.23.08