After months of being stuck inside during the winter months, millions of people will pack up their bathing suits and sunscreen to revel in the weeklong tradition of Spring Break. While you're off having the time of your life, it's important to make sure your pets are having just as much fun.
Fetch! Pet Care provides the following tips to keep your pets safe and happy this Spring Break:
Home Alone
It is never okay to leave your pet home alone while you are on vacation without someone to care for them. Making sure the house is cool and leaving extra food and water out is not the only answer. There are a countless number of things that can go wrong under this scenario - all of which will make for a very stress-filled vacation.
Find a Reliable Sitter:
While friends and family members can certainly be trustworthy, pet sitting isn't their profession and chances are they won't put as much effort into the care that you'd like. You should look for someone who considers this as a business opportunity and not someone who would consider it as a favor. Look for a professional sitter who can provide references and works for a company that is fully bonded and insured.
Meet and Greet:
Before you leave on vacation, have the sitter over so you can introduce them to your pets and see how everyone interacts. The visit also gives you a chance to familiarize the sitter with your house.
Establish a Procedure:
It is important to familiarize the sitter with your pets' daily routine. Make sure the sitter is available to feed and walk them at their normal times. This will help make sure your pets don't experience too much separation anxiety.
Take them along:
Today there are a host of options for "pet friendly" airlines and hotels that make it easy to bring your pet along. Even though you have your pet with you, that doesn't mean you'll have ample free time to walk and feed them. If you find pet-friendly accommodations, look into a professional pet sitting service that will come to your hotel while you're away - this option ensures that your four legged friend not feel left out of all the fun.
