Have Dog, Can't Travel...Seeking Advice

[msande]

I was wondering if you are in BC or WA state? If BC, I have a good friend who has been caring for dogs for over 30 years.

If you are in the BC area and you are interested in contacting her let me know. She has excellent references from both clients and vets.

If you are in the WA State area (down by Portland) you could also contact the local dog club to see who their members use for dog care.

Good luck,
Michaelle

 

[Quicklabs]

As the proud mother of two very spoiled Labrador Retrievers, one of whom never spent a day outside of her own home in her 8 years, I highly recommend a pet sitter who will live in your home. Your local dog club may have members that actually provide this service themselves. If not, have someone come in several times a day. Of course, you want to thoroughly interview any prospective pet sitter.
Pet Sitters International is the agency which credentials sitters.
Here are some links on their websites that give you great tips on interviewing prospective sitters. (You may have to copy and enter in your browser, or just got to www.petsit.com


http://www.petsit.com/finding-the-right-pet-sitter
http://www.petsit.com/stuff/content...ada5999/miscdocs/pet_sitter_questionnaire.pdf

We have used a pet sitter we found on PSI to come in for visits. We most recently have used a masters degree student at the local university who is a nanny for her two-legged non furry children for a few hours in the afternoon.

We pay our in home sitter $50 a day, which is $25 more than she asked for. Visits from a professional pet sitter (not staying in the home) run about $18 in the south suburbs of Dayton, OH (a much more expensive proposition).

Good luck! Having the right sitter makes all the difference in your ability to enjoy a vacation.


Sadly, she is relocating, since she graduated. But, her sister will take over her "job". Many years ago, the breeder for our first-born Lab took care of Augusta in her home while we were away.

 

[EDuke98080]

We pay $50 a day for care in our home for our 2 cats and 2 dogs. We pay an additional $10 per day to the vet tech who comes once per day to administer medication for our asthmatic cat. Our sitter also brings in the mail and waters the plants. We tell her to make herself at home including whatever she would like from the freezer or frig. We have had good luck so far and I think it is much easier on the furries to be in their own home and better for security of the house while we are gone.

 

[DisnyMama]

I was a pet sitter/nanny for about a year in my early 20"s (I'm gloriously 40 something now ) and how I got that job was through as ad in the paper...those were the days! As others have said Care.com is a great source and if you use CraigsList just screen very carefully.

I was caring for 5 poodles and 3 of them had special health needs, the baby was very ill and underdeveloped. Her food had to be put in a blender and fed to her by hand using a syringe twice a day plus her meds. She also had to sleep with someone to keep warm. She was the sweetest little baby. When I walked the other dogs I would just carry her in a blanket in my arm as she was the size of a small guinea pig. To get to know me and see how I did and if they could trust me in their home they had me come for a couple one night only jobs then for a weekend and then they felt comfortable leaving me with their babies and home for a week or more. If they were going to be gone more than a week they had a friend of family member come usually once to check in with me and see how we were doing and to report to the couple how things were. As far as pay goes back then if it was 1 or 2 days they would pay me a daily rate of $25 per day (remember this was in the early 80's) and if it was for longer say a week or so they would pay me a set amount which was usually like $140.

I became very attached to their puppies and was heartbroken when they called me to tell me that the baby had passed away. We all knew she probably wouldn't make it but we all tried to give her the best chance.

If you start looking for someone and spend some time you will find someone. I wish you and your furbaby all the best.

Shannon

 

[kuzco-like]

Quicklabs...thank you for those links. They look to be very informative and helpful.

EDuke98080 and DisnyMama...thank you for giving me an idea what the going rate is. DisnyMama...thank you for sharing your story. What a heartbreaking situation. I'm sure that we're all comforted to know that that poor puppy did not make it, but had such wonderful care while she was here.

And finally, Michaelle , thank you for the wonderful offer. I am in BC, and will contact you directly. Amazing.

Rob

 

[dansyr2514]

I just wanted to say to you all.... Thank you for being responsible pet parents. We also have a good friend who comes and stays at our house. We've tried a couple other options in the past but they weren't right for our "kids". I wanted to say thank you to everyone because it seems lately I've encountered more situations where people consider their pets throw away items. I personally came out to find two pit bulls tied to a neighbors post. It broke my heart. I stayed with them until the local shelter came. Hopefully they will find loving forever homes.

 

[MK4ever]

I just wanted to say to you all.... Thank you for being responsible pet parents. We also have a good friend who comes and stays at our house. We've tried a couple other options in the past but they weren't right for our "kids". I wanted to say thank you to everyone because it seems lately I've encountered more situations where people consider their pets throw away items. I personally came out to find two pit bulls tied to a neighbors post. It broke my heart. I stayed with them until the local shelter came. Hopefully they will find loving forever homes.

Yes I second dansyr. Pets are not disposable! It is good to hear there are other concerned pet parents out there. We adopted a sweet, loving 10 year old poodle from the local humane. Sadly, he just passed recently after over 5.5 happy years with us.

Has anyone ever used Pets are Inn? It is franchaise with locations in a couple of states. Supposedly they pre screens homes and place your pet in a home while you are away. The thing that makes me leary is you do not get to see where they will be staying or with whom.

Our doggy always stayed with my mom. We plan on adopting another dog after our cruise this summer. We would eventually like to do a family vacation, particularly taking my niece to WDW for the first time, but then we won't have grandma to dogsit since she will be coming with. Our dog walker boards dogs at her house, but it is good to hear there are other options as well.

 

[kuzco-like]

I'll chime in as well. Totally agree with dansyr2514. Some people I work with aren't pet people, and they don't understand how much I care and how cautious I'm being. I suspect that they probably didn't grow up with pets, which I think is a shame. You learn a lot about compassion and responsibility from having a pet. Of course, that's only if you're a good pet parent.

 

[kuzco-like]

Argh. I have only 9 posts, so I can't send a PM to msande. My fingers are crossed that this post will get me to the magic number, and then I can send a PM.

 

[mullysisters]

Hi Kuzco-like,
We too find it hard to get away. As a Animal Health Technician and a Animal Care and Control Officer in Ontario, all I can say is I completely agree with all the advice you have been given.
AHTs or Vet Techs are very poorly paid and many will pet sit as added income.
Many Humane Society employees are Vet Techs too. You would have to call and ask. We respect people who care so much about their animals.
When I pet sat I asked $30 a day but did not expect any food or drinks to be provided.
Screen well, leave very clear instructions and encourage them to call you at WDW with any questions.

 

[sabina720]

I am a professional pet sitter and it is a great idea if you can find someone affordable in your area. Your dog will stay in his own environment, not exposed to any diseases from kennels, the pet sitter will also be able to give your home the lived in look, take in your mail, water your plants ect. I love what I do and am very fortunate that I get to work with animals every day! You can check www.petsit.com for certified, insured pet sitters in your area! I wish I could help if we lived closer! Good Luck!

Thank you, everyone, for the good advice.

I'll talk to my vet, and I'll also contact local shelters to see if they have any ideas. (Great idea, lttmc3). I'm skeptical about what can be found on the internet (present company excluded), but I'll check out Care.com (thanks Mickeyflower). Also, I'll look into professional pet sitters. Wish me luck, because I'm kind of rural, and therefore might have a tough time finding someone.

And in general, thanks everyone for responding and talking about their pet care situations. It's awfully difficult to think about leaving a pet in the care of someone else. Just knowing that others do it and that it's a good experience for the parents and the pets puts my mind a little at ease.

PS: I'm teen-girl giddy that Kevin was the first to respond.

 

[nefer]

You say you're in Vancouver - have you heard of Rondivills Kennels? I take my dog there, he's boarded and also is there daily for doggie daycare.

I highly recommend them!

 

[msande]

Newer here too, so I haven't posted much. I am posting to threads now so i can send you the contact info.

 

[msande]

Did you get my PM with her info?