When I plan a vacation my first consideration, after choosing dates, is whether to use a pet boarding kennel or hire a pet sitter.

Which is best? Take your pet to a boarding facility when you travel or hire a pet sitter to stay in your home? Pros and cons of both may keep you guessing all day, so let’s both.

What Do You Expect from a Pet Boarding Facility?

Once upon a time, pet boarding facilities barely passed the bare-bones description. Concrete shelves set into concrete walls for sleeping, if you were lucky. I remember chain link fenced dog runs with no frills. Today’s lodging for dogs and cats offer much more.

Feline Palaces & Canine Castles

Today’s pet boarding facilities offer far more to their clients. The more expensive ones house Fluffy in luxurious, large cages with plenty of time for her to mix and mingle with other cats should she be the social type. The best in cat toys are available for her playtime. Fido may find himself reclining on his own personal recliner chair for his lodging stay. Perhaps the front of his “kennel” will be all glass and of course, air conditioning is essential. Plenty of socializing with his doggy peers will make up some of his stay.  A few offer swimming pools for the water lovers.  Even grooming is included.

Not-So-Elegant Pet Lodging

Those of us on a more modest budget may not opt for such luxury for our fur-babies, but we usually can find clean kennels with good quality dog beds and pillows for Kitty’s comfort. Dogs should receive playtime with other dogs both indoors and outside. Daily walks and play with a human often go along with that. Several other factors play a role in choosing a kennel.

My Expectations from a Pet Boarding Facility

As an owner of both cats and a dog, safety looms large on my list of expectations. Socializing with other dogs is important, but I also expect large dogs to be separated from the little guys. My dog weighs 50 lbs. but he plays like a much larger animal and he plays rough. A large but frail, elderly dog might not fare well with Murphy. That factor should be considered by a reputable kennel.

A reputable pet boarding facility will require clients to provide veterinary proof of vaccinations. The Bordatella vaccine is necessary to prevent Kennel Cough, a disease prevalent in kennels that don’t require all dogs to be vaccinated. Does the place I’m considering leaving my pet require that and other vaccinations?

I want to inspect the kennel before signing to leave my pet with them. If the staff is reluctant to allow that, I will immediately cross them off my list and move on to another place.

How does it smell? A boarding facility may not smell like flowers and sunshine, but it shouldn’t boast a heavy urine or poop odor either. Yes, dogs have accidents and cats forget to cover their poop in the litter box. But staff should be available to frequently clean up those issues.

Personally, I prefer a kennel with cameras installed, so that I can look in on my pet from time to time via my cell phone to confirm he receives proper care.

Cats should stay in multi-level places – not small cages. As they do at home, they require opportunities to climb and move around in boarding facilities.

Questions I Would Ask

I would ask how much personal attention my pet would receive. Will he sit in his cage or kennel all day without human contact or will he spend time with people and perhaps other dogs. My cats would want the human contact but they do not play well with other felines.

I certainly want to know their rates, so I can compare them with other lodging facilities, and I want to view their kennels.

What vaccinations do they require and what proof?  If they are not particular about proof of vaccinations, that’s a red flag.

Do they have a veterinarian on call for their clients? If not, I’d question how concerned they are for my pets’ safety.

Vaccinations for Dogs

Henry Schein Animal Health suggests the following:  Canine Distemper; Canine Parvovirus; Rabies, Infectious Hepatitis.

This site does not mention Bordatella vaccine, which protects a dog from Kennel Cough. I consider that essential for anyone considering boarding their dog where it will be close to other canines. If a pet boarding kennel does not require that, move on.

Cat Vaccinations for Boarding

Feline Panleukopenia, Herpesvirus, Calicivirus; Rabies; Feline Influenza.

My Preference

And this is only a personal preference. While most areas of the U.S. offer decent boarding options for pets, finding everything we want in one place may not be possible. Where I live, numerous places abound where I could safely leave my pets. However, I could not afford the very best ones for an extended time. My dog and cats are spoiled and used to receiving certain types of attention, treats and exercise. I honestly don’t know how they would deal with boarding for a week or more.

Who Should I Trust

Years ago, I picked up a little English Bulldog to foster from a Southwest Florida boarding kennel. Because I worked with an animal rescue organization, I had access to the dog’s former owner and phoned her. She told me that she left Maggie’s crate, toys, a large bag of her premium dog food, and a few other items with the owner of the boarding kennel. Surprise! I received the crate because I had specifically asked for it. I did ask if they had anything that belonged to Maggie and was told no. Yes, someone lied to me and kept most of Maggie’s belongings that might have made her transition easier. I no longer trust that place as a boarding option for my dog.

So who do you trust? Unless you personally know the owners or staff of a particular boarding facility, hunt for references. Ask your friends and neighbors. Post on local social media sites. Know who you are dealing with before you make a reservation for your pet.

A Good Pet Sitter Is Gold!

I should admit that I haven’t boarded my dogs or cats in years!  We used to own Great Danes and those large animals do not take kindly to small kennels. My Great Dane, Ginny, suffered many health problems in her first two years of life, and I didn’t want to take a chance with her health by boarding her when we went on vacation. Ginny occasionally traveled with us. Yes, a Great Dane in a large van full of children. Most of the time, we hired a pet sitter.

What Do Pet Sitters Offer?

Murphy, Lucy and Chico live a spoiled existence. They love each other, but the cats do not like other felines. A pet sitter allows them all to stay in their home where they feel comfortable and safe. With a pet sitter, Murphy will receive the long walks he desires, can play with his own familiar toys and eat his own food. Lucy will be held and petted and treated like the queen she thinks she is.

Questions to Ask a Pet Sitter

Before allowing someone into your home and to care for your precious fur-babies, consider the following questions to ask.

What Is Your Background with Animals?

Did the potential pet sitter grow up with animals? Does he or she currently own pets? If so, who will care for them while he/she stays with my pets? Can he/she handle special needs? How about administering medications? Is he/she experienced with this? Can he/she take care of needed injections, such as with a diabetic dog or cat? Will you follow my instructions regarding care of my pets?

May I Have A List of References?

A strong list of references tells you how popular the potential pet sitter is. Call every single person on the list to confirm the applicant is qualified and considered a good person. You aren’t just hiring someone to care for your pets. He/she will stay in your home and care for it, as well.

Describe Your Qualifications

A potential hire should know and be confident of his or her own qualifications for taking care of pets. If you own a snake and the sitter does not care for reptiles, you need to know that before hiring him or her. Ask if the person is comfortable with dogs barking or cats that barf up hair balls. How will he or she deal with a sick pet. Does he or she or she has questions for you, the pet owner.  Good sitters invariably have at least two or three questions, just as though sitting for children.

Are You Bonded & Insured?

I have mixed feelings about this one.  Pet sitting is not a regulated industry but several insurance companies do offer policies for pet sitters. As a home owner, you want to be sure if the pet sitter is not insured, your own homeowner’s policy will cover any accidents he or she might have on your property. While being bonded may give you a feeling of security, it doesn’t guarantee that the sitter is honest or will take proper care of your pets and home. References from former clients tell a better tale.

What Are Your Rates?

Know the pet sitter’s rates and what tasks are included. Expect to be charged extra for multiple animals and any extra jobs you want done. Most pet sitters charge a transportation fee. Clarify that.

When someone stays in my home with my pets, I do expect their fee to include bringing in my mail and newspapers daily, keeping my kitchen clean and cleaning up after my pets.

So Which Is Best?

There is no one answer for everyone. Do your research, check references for both pet boarding facilities and pet sitters. Visit kennels and know exactly what to expect before you decide. Then choose the option that seems to fit both your pets and yourself.