As a pet owner, part of planning for a vacation involves figuring out where to leave your dog or cat while you are away. Of course, you want to find the safest more reliable place for your pet to reside while you’re enjoying a vacation. Some people choose to leave their pet with an individual who is a pet sitter while others opt for a kennel or pet boarding business. Regardless of which option you choose, there are several things to look for to ensure that your pet is in capable hands while you’re away.

A Detailed Plan

A pet sitter or kennel should be able to give you an idea of your pet’s daily schedule. For instance, the boarder should tell you when your pet will eat and when it will get an opportunity to exercise. Also, you should be told how many times your pet will get to go outside to relieve itself. A pet boarder will tell you what type of food your pet will eat and show you where it will sleep. In addition, the boarder should have a plan in place if your pet gets injured or becomes ill. A responsible pet sitter or kennel owner will happily answer all of your questions.

A Clean Environment

It’s important to look at the environment where your dog or cat will stay. Is it a safe, clean environment for your pet? Is there enough space for your pet to move around? A responsible pet sitter or kennel owner will have a clean place for your pet to stay. A clean environment prevents illnesses from passing between dogs and cats staying in the same area. A strong odor of feces or urine is a sign that the environment is not cleaned regularly.

A cute pug
A cute pug

A Large, Safe Exercise Area

Take a close look at the place where your dog or cat will exercise. The pet sitter or boarder should have a fenced-in area that is big enough for your pet to run around in. The area should be free of sharp rocks, nails, etc. It’s a good idea to inquire about the number of animals allowed in the area at one time. You want to make sure that the area isn’t overcrowded during exercise time.

Personal Recommendations

Finally, a reputable pet sitter or kennel owner will be able to show you personal recommendations from customers. A kennel or individual pet sitter may have a website where you can read comments left by other pet owners who’ve used the service. A personal recommendation is invaluable to someone unfamiliar with a business owner or individual who does pet sitting. The sitter or kennel owner may even give you the phone number of a past customer who can give his or her impressions of the service. It’s a good idea to check out two or three boarders so you can compare all of their services to end up with the best possible option.

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