You’ve decided to take that well deserved vacation, but what will you do with your your beloved companion(s) when you’re away? How can you be sure they’ll receive the excellent care they deserve while you travel? If your pet will not be traveling with you, the first choice you need to make is to board or have a sitter come to your home. Here are our top 10 pre-travel tips and considerations while you are away.

Your pet will be boarding

If boarding here are some key things to consider: 

1. Age of your pet and immune system, you pet may be exposed to infectious respiratory diseases such as Bordetella  (dog) or Calicivirus (cat) while boarding indoors with other animals.  
2. Vaccination status and are your pets up to date on vaccines? If not do you have time to get then updated?
3. What kind of proof of vaccination is required for the facility an how far in advance?
4. Pet’s general demeanor and behavior, will they enjoy a new environment or be stressed and shy?
5. Opportunities for doggy day care or smaller trips before a extended one (may or may not apply to our feline friends).
6. Is there supervised play time or walks? A Catio?
7. If your pet has an emergency or becomes ill at the boarding facility what is the plan of action? What if you cannot be reached by phone do you have someone locally that can be a secondary contact? Does the facility have a disaster evacuation plan?
8. Please take your pets regular diet, a sudden diet change paired with stress = diarrhea or worse! 
9. Does the facility have an app/cameras or ways to check in on your pet while they are there?
10. If our pet takes medications or has a medical condition is the staff trained to administer the medications properly and monitor said condition?

For older pets or animals with chronic health condition and multiple medications boarding at a veterinary facility or looking for in home care may be best. 

Your pet will stay home with a sitter

1. Do you know the person or have a reference?
2. When will they come and go to care for your pet? Will they stay overnight?
3. Do you authorize that person to take your pet out of the home for walks or other activities?
4. If your pet has an emergency or becomes ill what is the plan of action? What if you cannot be reached by phone do you have someone locally that can be a secondary contact?
5. Is your pet defensive of your home, could they be aggressive with someone new in the home?
6. You may want to set up a meet and greet with the sitter before leaving for the first time.
7. Is your sitter able to administer medications and monitor chronic health conditions?
8. Do you have a contract for payment agreements or terms of service?
9. Are there any potential liability issues having someone in your home?
10. Will the sitter be alone at your home, or authorized to have other over as well? Would be best to clarify this before starting service.

In general if you plan to take an extended trip letting your veterinarian know the dates, the level of care you wish to provide, who is caring for your pet/authorized to make decisions and having a credit card on file with a limit if applicable can be a good way to ensure that your pet is cared for in an emergency without any delay if you are to able to be reached.

Regardless of if your pet goes to a boarding facility or stays in your home with a sitter having a detailed care plan and clear communication with caretakers is essential!