If you decide to leave the animal members of your family at home while you travel, you might choose to have a pet sitter stay with them, or you might opt for the services of a boarding facility. Each has pros and cons.
Boarding Pros | Boarding Cons | Pet Sitting Pros | Pet Sitting Cons |
---|---|---|---|
Gets attention throughout day. | Unfamiliar territory can cause stress. | Familiar territory | Usually gets attention just once or twice per day. |
Pets are usually secured in kennel, decreasing possibility of runaways. | Some facilities might leave pet in kennel for long periods. | Pet can retain free reign of home if that is what it is accustomed to. | Pet sitter may be unfamiliar with pet’s tricks to escape the home or yard. |
Staff usually trained to identify health issues. | Proximity of animals can expose pet to health problems. | No exposure to other pets with potential health issues. | Pet sitter may or may not be able to recognize health issues. |
Your house will likely remain as you left it. | If your dog is part of your security system, sending it away removes that element. | Often a pet sitter can do some house-sitting, watering plants, bringing in the mail or watching for storm damage. | If your animal stresses, your house might suffer. (Diggers, chewers, potty accidents.) |
SOURCE Humane Society
Some things to look for in a boarding facility
On your visit, ask to see all the places your pet may be taken. Pay particular attention to the following:
- Does the facility look and smell clean?
- Is there sufficient ventilation and light?
- Is a comfortable temperature maintained?
- Does the staff seem knowledgeable and caring?
- Are pets required to be current on their vaccinations, including the vaccine for canine kennel cough (Bordetella)?
- Does each dog have his own adequately sized indoor/outdoor run or a schedule for exercise?
- Is bedding provided to allow dogs to rest off the concrete floor?
- Are cats housed away from dogs?
- Is there enough space for cats to move around comfortably?
- Is there enough space between the litter box and food bowls?
- How often are pets fed?
- Can the owner bring the pet’s food?
- What veterinary services are available?
- Are other services available such as grooming, training, bathing?
Some things to ask a pet sitter
- Can the sitter provide proof they are insured and bonded?
- Will sitter administer medications, if necessary?
- Can they provide documentation of services and fees?
- What training and experience do they have?
- Can they provide references?
- How many other pets are they currently caring for?
- Are they familiar with local emergency vet clinics?
- If the sitter visits the home (instead of residing there while you are away), how often will they visit? How long will they stay during each visit?
- Will the sitter walk the dog or just let it out into the yard?
- If it is summer, what care will be taken to protect the animal from the heat?
Do Your Research
It is important to thoroughly research any sitter or facility before entrusting them with the care of your beloved pet. The providers below are listed as a convenient place to begin your research and are not necessarily our recommendations.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.BoardingClaws N’ Paws
46639 N. Black Canyon Hwy
623-465-8765
facebook.com/ClawsNPawsPetGroomingService
Outdoor play area. 24-hour attendant on site. Free wash and brush before pickup.Houndmaster Dave
(Desert Hills)
623-217-1332
Cage-free. Dogs only. 24-hour supervision.Pet Paradise
Weekdays 6:30 a.m.–7 p.m.; Weekends 9 a.m.–5 p.m.
1675 W. Happy Valley Road, Phoenix
602-277-3647
petparadiseresort.com/locations/phoenix.aspxDog Vacay
855-364-8222
dogvacay.com
Online service matches pets with vetted, insured host homes and sitters.Sleepover Rover Inc.
866-817-0500
sleepoverrover.com
Online service matches pets with monitored, inspected host homes. Also offers day care.
Pet Sitting
Love Your Pets Too
27704 N. 24th Lane, Phoenix
623-695-3079
petandhousesitting.com
All animals. Also offers house-sitting services.
Good Doggy
602-920-5127
gooddoggyaz.homestead.com
All animals. Also offers dog training.
Paws On Pet-Sitting
602-684-1769
pawsonpetsitting.com
All animals.
We Care Pet Sitting
Pet Sitting or Boarding
(Anthem)
623-551-5803
Bonded, insured.