Pet Sitting vs. Boarding

March 1, 2008

When you travel, do you bring your dog to a boarding kennel or pay someone to come to your home to look after him or her? More than four out of five pet owners said that in-home pet sitting is their preferred method of care when they're away, according to a recent survey by Fetch Pet Care, Inc. On the other hand, pet boarding facilities are a growing market, even sprouting related industries such as doggie daycare and mobile grooming. So which is right for your dog(s)?

Guest: Gretchen Meienburg, board member of the American Boarding Kennel Association, former pet sitter, and owner of Pampered Pets Bed & Biscuit, with locatinos in northwest Ohio and Ft. Wayne, IN (www.ppbandb.com)

Pet Sitters

Find a pet sitter:

Why Pet Owners Hire Pet Sitters

Some pets are happier and experience less stress at home.

Diet, elimination and exercise routines are uninterrupted.

Travel trauma for both owner and pet is eliminated.

Pet's exposure to illness is minimized.

Untrained or unwilling friends/family/neighbors need not be called (and less risk of the dog running away)

In-home professional pet care provides added peace of mind.

Pet sitters can stop in to let dog out and feed the dog, but they can also provide added services such as massage, walks, play time, and spending the night to keep the dog company.

Boarding Kennels

ABKA now has over 3,000 members. Today's boarding kennels have living room-style rooms rather than cages. Some have themes. Others have beds, televisions, art on the walls, fresh air and natural sunlight.

Activities you can add (for an additional fee) include massages, play time, movie night, bedtime stories, brunch with eggs and Beggin' Strips, evening tuck-in with treat, even training. It's almost like giving your dog a vacation, too.

To find a boarding kennel:

Tips for Dog Owners

Web cams can help give you peace of mind. Be sure the boarding kennel you choose has web cams. If you hire a pet sitter, you can purchase a home web camera and leave it on while you're gone so you can check on your dog from any computer while you're gone.

Many pet sitters and kennels provide a Report Card to let you know how your dog coped while you were away.

Bring your dog's own food if choosing a kennel. It helps cut down on digestive upset.

Make sure your dog is up to date on medications and inoculations. Some boarding kennels have vets on staff or on call. Give your pet sitter phone number and directions to your vet's office, plus a letter giving him/her authority to have your pet treated. Tell your vet that you'll be out of town and leave payment information in case your dog needs veterinary attention while you're gone.

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