Top Tips For Holiday Pet Care

Your summer holiday is booked but what do you do with your much-loved pet or pets as you jet off? For a stress-free holiday as a pet owner, the options available have increased in recent years. Remember, for you to have a happy holiday you need to make sure your pet or pets are safe, secure, and comfortable.

If your pet is going to stay at home this summer whilst you go away, what should you be doing to make your holiday pet care arrangements as easy and as carefree as your holiday should be? You are likely to spend months planning your holiday, ideally you will have done the same with your pet care. Remember, pet related services are busy in the summer months, whether the service is pet-friendly accommodation, pet sitters, boarding kennels or other holiday-related pet activities.

Top Tip: Reading online reviews from other pet owners is a great way to learn about experiences of those who have used the kennel or cattery, online reviews always add a level of trust and confidence.

Book Into Boarding
Boarding kennels and catteries are a traditional form of pet care for pet owners heading away, and a well-run one can be a positive and enjoyable experience. If using one, check that your pets’ vaccines are up-to-date, especially for kennel cough, if vaccines have expired, your pet could be refused.

Top Tip: When dropping a pet off for boarding it is much like dropping your child off at school on their first day. It is a good idea to handover at the door, give a cuddle, and then to leave as quickly as possible.

Find An All-Rounder
Today, you can have your house minded as well as your pet! This is a great idea for owners of more than one pet, rather than leaving them elsewhere, it makes more sense to have a pet sitter come to live in your home. You can set this up with a good friend, or with a professional pet and house sitter.

Top Tip: Much like proofing boarding kennels or catteries, look online if you are arranging for a stranger to visit your home and look after your pet – inviting someone into your home requires a lot of trust.

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Placing The Key To Your Home In Safe Hands

When it comes to letting someone in your home to look after your pet it is important to have the confidence and reassurance of their reliability and responsibility. The Security Industry Authority (SIA) is the organisation which regulates the private security industry, this includes holding customer keys whilst carrying out work on their premises. If anyone continues to work without a licence they will be committing a criminal offence, punishable on conviction by a fine of up to £5,000 or six months imprisonment or both. For more information, visit: www.services.sia.homeoffice.gov.uk/rolh [/box]

Top Tip: Most animal behaviourists recommend that you arrange a meet-and-greet with a pet sitter first so both parties can be sure they want to go ahead with the sitting.

By Jacob White