Let’s accept it, we can’t be around our furry friends every time even though we would love to. At times, we might have to travel for business purposes, weddings, or simply to get some leisure time for ourselves. But, what if the places that you’re going to are not pet-friendly? That surely makes you wonder who will look after your pets when you’re gone. Having a cousin, friend or neighbour to look after your four-legged friend is not always an option thus, pet boarding and pet sitting become a necessity.
But, choosing between them is difficult. If you’re facing such a dilemma, know a few prominent factors to consider before choosing a pet boarding or pet-sitting service.
1. Duration of Your Trip
The duration of your stay matters a lot in deciding on a pet boarding or a pet sitting facility for your furbaby. For instance, if you’re only going for a couple of days, leaving him/her at a boarding facility might be a good option. However, if you’re going for a long trip, say, a fortnight or a month, hiring a pet sitter would be a better choice. This way, your pet will be in a safe and friendly environment and miss you less when you’re out of town.
2. Socializing Ability of Your Pet
If your pet is shy or anxious while being around other pets, or shows unusual behaviour while sharing toys or food with them, you might want to consider hiring a pet sitter for his own well-being. But, if he’s quick in making friends and enjoys the company of others, a pet boarding facility is your best bet.
3. Health of Your Pet
This is perhaps the most important factor that may help you in concluding. If your pet is not up-to-date with vaccinations, has mobility issues, or needs regular supervision due to blindness, surgery, or any other health complication, you might want to consider hiring a dedicated pet sitter. This will ensure not only his safety but also the safety of other pets that might get into contact in the boarding facility. However, if your pet is fit and fine, go to a boarding facility without any worries.
4. Cost
Let’s be real, we have budget constraints and boarding is expensive. If you have a bunch of pets to look after then boarding can burn a hole in your pocket. Thus, having a fair idea of what you can afford can help in making the right choice.
5. Evaluate the Pet Sitting Expert
While looking for a pet sitter apart from the obvious years of experience, look for how they handle your pet in person, any certifications that they have done, talk to their previous clients and clear out the terms and conditions well in advance. Also, as a pet parent, it is your responsibility to ensure that you equip them with all the important information about your pet so that they can take care of her while you’re away.
6. Evaluate Pet Boarding Facility
Similarly, while looking for a boarding facility make sure that you pay a visit to the place beforehand, check for the cleanliness of the place, the food they give, the playing area, the conduct of the personnel around the pets, the security of that place, some extra facilities like grooming, vet, etc to conclude.
If you’re looking for a trusted pet boarding service or pet sitting, look no further! PawPurrfect has a team of fellow pet lovers and experts who can take the utmost care of your furry friends when you’re away and ensure that your absence does not take a toll on your canine or feline.