Planning for Pet Care While You Are Away

Summer is once again upon us. Folks may be starting to plan for much needed vacations or perhaps considering that business trip. Getting away can be exciting and fun, but as far as I am concerned they are doubled-edged swords. When I am making plans for an extended excursion, my first concern are arrangements for our cats. I have to tell you it can create quite a bit of anxiety for me.

Since some pets are not overly fond of travel, especially those of the feline purrsuasion, since schedules and their regular routines fly out the window. Since travelling in a moving vehicle can be very stressful for pets, it may be a cause for concern.

So what options are open for pet parents who choose not to take their furry companions along for the trip? I prefer not to board our cats, since relegating them to cages, no matter how luxurious the space, is simply not my acceptable. Judging by the occasions when it was necessary to hospitalize them overnight at the veterinary hospital, when they both went on hunger strikes and burrowed under towels for the entire stay, this seems like a very poor alternative.

In my experience, I find that a reputable pet sitter is a far more preferable. Our cats enjoy the comfort and familiarity of their home, and their routines can be kept intact. While I have had many excellent experiences with reliable "sitters" in the past, sometimes the best of the best are very busy and unavailable when they are needed. Therefore it is important to make plans far in advance.

This includes interviewing the prospective sitter, introducing your pets, getting references and gathering any other information which is deemed essential. The best pet sitters we have used are veterinary technicians who "moonlight." Knowing that our cats are cared for by someone who is trained to recognize any problems which may arise makes me sleep a lot better when we are away. Licensed and bonded pet sitters are also, in my opinion, more reliable and knowledgeable.

In fact, The National Association of Professional Pet Sitters (NAPPS) recently announced the launching of a new nationwide certification program for professional pet sitters around the country. This program was created by owners of established pet-sitting businesses committed to assuring that pet owners have access to well-trained professionals Certification will assure clients that the sitter has met specific, objective criteria through online study and testing.

Training includes courses on pet care, nutrition, health and behavior, and also includes pet-first aid approved by the American Red Cross. These certified pet sitters will then be able to display the NAPPS-certified logo on any of their promotional material, so clients will know that they are indeed, legitimately certified. This is definitely exciting news!

For more information about Pet Sitters, visit: http://www.petsitters.org/index.cfm?section=PetOwners or read the article Pet Sitters: While You're Away, the Pets Should Play!

If you cannot take your pets with you when you travel, what arrangements do you make? Leave a comment with your experience.