When vacation beckons, finding reliable care for a beloved family pet too often is an afterthought, a detail to be left to a friend, neighbor or the teenager down the block.
When vacation beckons, finding reliable care for a beloved family pet too often is an afterthought, a detail to be left to a friend, neighbor or the teenager down the block.
It shouldn’t be, experts warn, and disasters can and do happen.
But with the right planning, a family holiday can be as enjoyable for the pets who stay home as it is for their traveling humans, said Beth Stultz, spokeswoman for the North Carolina-based Petsitters International.
“There’s a misconception that anyone can care for a pet, but it’s a lot tougher than it appears,” Stultz said.
Find a sitter who is experienced with animals, trained in basic first aid and insured, she said, and even if you know the person, it’s a good idea to have a signed contract with expectations clearly stated.
Rachel Bowers, owner of pet-sitting company Brooklyn Bark in Brooklyn, N.Y., says, “Friends often offer to help, but they tend to be flaky and bail at the last minute, or they show up but really don’t understand that dogs need to go out three times a day and cats need their litter changed regularly,” she said.
What to do with a pet while you’re out of town depends on the type of animal and its temperament.
Kennels are a popular option, and range from modest to full-scale resorts. And then there is a home setting, either yours or that of a pet sitter.
“Some kinds of dogs, like older or very young dogs, or dogs with special issues, are better off being cared for at home,” said John Caro, owner of Camp Bow Wow, a “vacation camp” for dogs in Stamford, Conn. “If they don’t do well in a play area with other dogs, home is probably the best choice.”
Many pet owners ask sitters to visit frequently or spend the night in their home, or house-sit to care for pets full time.
Thousands of qualified pet sitters are listed on the Petsitters International website, petsit.com. Because an estimated 80 percent of house-sitting arrangements involve pets, house-sitting organizations such as Trusted Housesitters or HouseCarers.com also can help.
Stulz said contracts can be downloaded from the Petsitting International website, and pet owners should check a sitter’s references thoroughly.
As for first aid, “If your pet is diabetic or older, make sure the pet sitter is comfortable and experienced with that,” she said. “And even if your pets are in great shape, a pet sitter should be capable of dealing with emergencies.”
Book sitters well in advance, advised Bowers.
And for the many people who turn to people they know for pet care, Caro said to choose “a responsible adult with good common sense because things can get dangerous very fast.”
“Common sense, a good understanding of the pet involved, and knowing where to turn in an emergency are essential,” Caro said.