Where to Leave Your Pet When You Go on Holiday

Where to Leave Your Pet When You Go on Holiday

You’ve booked your holiday and excitedly told everyone of your grand plans to take Fido to the beach, go camping in the Alps and travel throughout Europe. Only now do you realize your cat is snoozing on your bed as if to say “There’s no way we’re going away without me!” So what can you do? You could try and take them with you wherever you go, or find a suitable place to take them to, but where do you look? 

Leave them at Home With a House Sitter

If you’ve got a trusted friend or family member who can take care of your house and pet while you’re away, then that’s perfect. House sitting is becoming more popular as people realize the benefits of having someone come into their home to water plants and feed pets without any added stress. House sitters are also able to report back on problems and can be there should your pet need any extra care.

House sitting is no longer restricted to just people’s homes, with many pet resorts and hotels offering house sitter services too. So regardless of where you’re going, if it’s for a long time, there will likely be someone willing to pop in and take care of your home and pet.

A Local Dog Sitter or Pet Carer

If you’re only going away for a few days, it might be worth looking into what’s available in your area. For example, someone experienced may specialize in pet sitting, dog walking, or even just general animal care. Using local services like this will not only help support someone in your area, but it should also be someone you already know or who comes recommended by friends and family.

Just be sure to read reviews and references before you leave your pet with anyone.

Pet Hotels

There are a number of places that offer pet hotel and kennel services. Trying to locate a pet hotel may be difficult, and the idea might be scary, but they offer the peace of mind that your pet will be looked after by someone experienced. There’s also less stress for your dog or cat as they’re not left alone in a strange place without you there to help them settle in.

Pet hotels usually have more stringent rules than other boarding facilities, so if you’re one of those people who worry about every little thing, then this might be the right choice for you too. You’ll also want to make sure your pet doesn’t get mixed up with another animal (or person) while staying here.

Bring them With You

If none of the above work for you, then your only option might be to take your pet with you. The thing is, pets aren’t like kids who simply sleep all day and cause no trouble. Pets that are stressed or nervous can end up causing havoc for other guests in hotels. They can also get bored and try to escape during the night to go looking for you. So if you’re not experienced at traveling with pets, it might be best to avoid doing so unless there’s no alternative.

However, if this does sound like something doable, make sure you research where else your pet has stayed before making any travel plans. Hotels that don’t allow pets usually state this clearly on their website, so there’s no need to worry if your pet has never stayed in a hotel before.

But remember, before you arrive at the hotel, check-in with the front desk and ask what the rules are regarding pets. Some hotels even charge extra for having pets on-site, so make sure you’re not doubling up on fees when you get there!

Neighborhood Pet Swap

Some people find it easier to just set up a ‘pet swap’ with their neighbors. This way, you can have your house watched while you’re away, and someone else can watch your pet while they go on holiday. This might be the best option if you hate leaving your pet in kennels or don’t trust other options enough. 

Make sure you know your neighbors well enough, though, and that they’re trustworthy enough to look after your pet. 

Conclusion

As you can see, there are plenty of options in place if you want to go on holiday without taking your pet with you. But all these things need to be arranged in advance, so don’t leave it too late before you decide what to do!

All over the world, pop-up pet care businesses are cropping up to meet the needs of dog and cat owners looking for someone trustworthy to look after their canine or feline friend while they’re away on holiday. Leaving your pet with a family member is almost always preferred but not always possible. If you must leave them in professional hands, there are some things to keep in mind so that both you and your pet have an enjoyable experience while apart.