OT: We can't find a kennel to keep our old dog

[spima3]

I'm so sorry. I would feel the same way.
How about a house sitter? Someone to come and stay at your house most of the time. My sister did that for friends of hers with a cat that was nasty and hated to be caged up. It worked out really well. My sis is single though so it was pretty easy for her. Just an idea, wish I could help more.

This would probably be the best thing if you could arrange it.

We are in the same boat, our old guy is going to be 15, just recovered from a massive ordeal with his spinal column (arthritis related), is on multiple meds, needs to be taken out often, is almost totally deaf and can't see well either.

However, the last time we left him it was very traumatic for him, so this time DH is staying home with him while I take the 3 kids to FL. DH doesn't mind not going, and I feel better knowing he will be here to take care of the dog and the cat, who was a rescue and is super skittish. (poor thing had broken bones that were never treated ) Cat does not do well with anyone other than us.

Lucky for them, we don't vacation very often.

 

[mom2val]

I would call EVERY vet in a 30 mile radius and ask about what size kennels they have. You are bound to find at least 1 that has larger kennels. Our vet has 5x8 concrete floor with metal gate indoor kennels. We pay $23 a day for our lab. Even if they won't let you use the belly band- they will be the ones cleaning up pee and a kennel large enough will not have your dog laying in it. If there is a Pets Mart Dog Hotel near you they have large kennels. With a dog that old I would have them near a vet in case of an emergency.

 

[Evi]

If you cannot persuade any relatives or friends to help you with this I would contact your local veterinary school and look for dog walkers that have good referrals. You may be able to convince an older teen or college age relative to stay at your place for the night and have the dog walker come by during the day. I'd also consider offering payment to said family member or friend. I think for an older pet its important for the person who watches them be someone they know or at least a place they are familiar with. I hope this all works out for you.

 

[Angellovely]

Where are you located? My cousin has a wonderful kennel in MA

 

[At World's End]

Another options would be to contact private animal rescues in your area and ask if they could refer you to someone who would watch your dog. They often have a network of "foster" families who have huge hearts and could probably use some money to offset their costs.

 

[horseshowmom]

I don't understand why some don't want to deal with the bellyband. It sounds pretty simple to me and just keeps him from having accidents.

Like the others, I would be more than happy to watch him (have had several older dogs - one right now who has arthritis issues), but I doubt you live in my area (Mississippi).

Have you checked on PetSmart Dog Hotels? I used one back in February when I carried my MinPin with me on a business trip. He's a rescue, and I was hoping to expose him to new experiences. They were amazing. At that point he was still nervous of strangers (that's gone now ), and they took such good care of him that he couldn't wait to go back each morning. They were incredibly caring and gentle with him. I was extremely impressed at how well they dealt with his special needs (I had warned them ahead of time about his history and nervousness). He was so comfortable with them that he posed for a Valentine's Day picture!

ETA: I'm sure you're not driving, but if you are, there are many houses in the Disney area that accept pets. They have private pools (some with fenced in yards). We actually prefer staying offsite and enjoy all the extra room. The houses can often be rented more economically than staying onsite, and they are very close. Just a thought...

 

[yoopermom]

We had an older dog who we HAD to kennel at Xmas time one year, and I swear it hastened her demise, she came back so stressed (even though it was a very nice kennel). I will NEVER kennel an elderly dog again! Do whatever it takes to find someone to come into your home, please. Dogs (esp elderly ones) don't understand why you're gone, or when you're coming back.

Terri

 

[Jey12]

Not sure where you're located, but if there's a local Veterinary Technician school nearby I'd start there. I've been a vet tech for over 12 years now and I earned extra money through college by pet sitting in the person's home. With a tech student your dog more than likely is going to get top notch care. I loved it! I lived with my grandmother but was hardly there for all of the pet sitting I did. Basically I lived rent free and got paid to play with someone else's pet, and you can't go wrong with that!

If there's no local school call every vet office, starting with yours, and ask if there is someone over the age of 18 that does pet sitting. I'm sorry but I wouldn't trust complete control of my home and belongings to someone under that age. In my area the kids that work in our kennel do this for around $25 a night, plus the person also somewhat stocks the fridge for them. It's usually cheaper than what you'd pay a kennel. If you know anyone that knows of a reliable college student in your area ask if they'd be interested. A college student is often willing to do the job, and if they are a responsible person it could be a win win for everyone involved. Including your pet.

I can't see where a belly band if he's being watched in the home would be a problem. I'd prefer it over having to clean up urine on the floor that's for sure. Not anymore time consuming than scooping out a litter box and a lot more sanitary. The first kennel might have been scared away by the simple fact he's incontinent and they may have been untrained about this. You're better not to use them if they aren't comfortable with the idea. The kennel that said they hose down the runs, I'm almost positive they wouldn't do it with the dog inside of it. Aside from humane standards, it's illegal in most cities to do this. The person probably was not well versed in telling someone that by that they really meant the kennel was cleaned twice a day.

As for craigslist and the like please stay away from those sites. Someone could respond and look like Dr. Doolittle and have references out the wazoo and be a nut job. Don't take that chance.

I am really confident if you start calling vet offices you will soon find someone who is willing to hang out at your house and play and take care of your pet. I think my dogs probably get more attention when I'm out of town by our pet sitter than when we're home. Make sure you meet with them beforehand, agree on dates and times, and explain house rules. If you wish you can even have them sign something to the effect that if any intentional damage is done to your home or pet they are legally responsible. Although I am not sure how binding this would be in court, but the other person probably won't know that.

One last piece of advice and it's just from my experience. If you find someone let them know your vet's contact info. Set up ahead of time with your vet if you can an agreement that if your pet becomes illl or gets injured that it's ok for the pet sitter to bring them in and you'll take care of the charges once you return. I know it's something none of us pet owners want to think about, but things do happen. Even to young healthy dogs. Let your pet sitter know that you understand that, and that will help ease any stress they may have about caring for an elderly pet.

Sorry so long but I just felt so bad for your situation and hope I can help out. Hope you get to your trip and have a great time and return to find you've discovered a great pet sitter for future use!

 

[hambirg]

We had to kennel our elderly dog once. I was really concerned because he was on meds and had his leg still bandaged from a recent surgery. I started at my vet, but the kennels were so small. I found a local vet emergency hospital that kenneled dogs. I felt better leaving him there. The kennels were bigger, they gave him walk/play times without other dogs (he didn't see or hear well by that time and I think doggie social time would have been very stressful for him), and they changed his bandages daily. I'm glad I did, because he ended up needing some medical attention while we were gone. I wish we wouldn't have had to kennel him, but I wanted him to be somewhere where he could get the medical attention he might need. I hope you find something that works for you.

ETA- I agree with the PP who said to stay away from Craigslist. I would be very leary about letting some complete stranger who just put up a free ad for petsitting, know that I was going to be out of town. There are so many scammers on there lately. . .you just don't know. You could come home to a cleaned out house. If you can't find somebody you know, I would go with a reputable, licensed and bonded company. JMHO

 

[Shyvioletisme]

http://www.petsit.com/locate/
go here. You can find bonded and insured pet sitters in your area. When DH and I had to go out of town for a wedding last year we used this site and found an amazing pet sitter in our area who came to check in on our cat, did all the stuff with the cat that needed to be done, watered our plants, picked up our mail and turned lights on and off.

 

[Disney-Kim]

I agree with everyone...a dogsitter that stays in your home is best. We have one....wish you could borrow her.... she is great.

Ask all the people you work with if they know anyone, read craigslist, ask your Vet....lots of people use dogsitters. ask, ask, ask.

We pay $30 a day and she stays at our house and takes care of our dog and the fish. and waters the plants, gets mail, etc.

We have also paid $40 per day for our other girl. But our furbaby is worth every dollar to know he is taken care of.

The furbaby in your pics is ADORABLE....I would never kennel my dog. just me. I wouldn't go if that was the only option.

 

[Holly]

I used to board my older, special needs dog at my vet's office.

It was a larger hospital and there was someone there 24 hours per day and they took excellent care of my dog.

 

[DizneeDad]

I'm sure you've gotten a lot of solutions by now. I live in Western MA, and we have a dog walker that house sits for our two fur-kids. They are no more $ than boarding, and the pups get to stay home. I know of a couple in CT as well. I'm not sure if you can send a message to me on dis, but feel free.

 

[java]

Some where else to check - our smaller mom and pop kind of pet store(not a petco ect) has an older employee that pet sits(her and her DH come over 3 times a day for $60 for 2 dogs.) So maybe check in the pet stores for suggestions. Good luck.

 

[SaveTheSeaTurtles]

I am not sure where you are located but many kennels would take your guy for boarding, despite the belly band. I am not sure what is up with the one who refused you!

Is it possible that you would consider removing the belly band for the time that he is in the kennel? Perhaps their reasoning is that he may get caught up in it somehow - one of our dogs, a few years ago, got his jaw caught in his "siblings" collar and was not able to remove it without intervention - scared him (and us)....

As others suggested, perhaps a petsitter service?

Or, if there are no boarding facilities in your immediate area, maybe consider expanding your search ? It might be worth an hour's drive if you find a nice kennel where you know he would be safe and well-cared for.

Another option - very often vet techs at the local vet clinics moonlight as petsitters - that is actually how we found our first petsitter several years ago.

What area of the country do you live in ?

 

[Shleedogg]

I'm sorry! It's such a tough situation, your pets are part of your family. Have you checked out the kennels at WDW? Perhaps that way you could go visit him. Although that might break your heart even more than if he were at home.

I second the pp who mentioned a teenager in the neighborhood. Our next door neighbor's daughter is 11 and very responsible. We're paying her $5 a day (which I thought was too little and her mother thinks is too much) to come and clean the litter and make sure kitties have food and water and to pet them if they let her. She was over the moon at the thought of $50 in her pocket. Perhaps you have a neighbor with a teen/pre-teen who loves animals and would be interested? Before the age of 16, earning money is hard to do for kids. I used to pet-sit and house-sit for people, I loved it. Actually my parents' boss just asked them if I would house/pet-sit for her next month. Of course with a 2 yr old, staying over wasn't really an option, lol.

Good luck, I hope you find a solution!

 

[dis2cruise]

Call your vet

 

[ancestry]

The vet techs in our vet's office offer pet sitting services to the clients of the vet. They will either come into your home or will take the animal to their home.

I too have an elderly dog - 15 almost 16 - and will not board him under any circumstances at this point. Once he reached his average life expectancy our vet recommended that he not be kenneled or placed around other animals (other than those that live in our house). The chance of something happening to him due to stress or disease is much higher due to his advanced age. We either rearrange our family schedules' so the dog is never home alone or in the case of an emergency we use the tech from the vet's office.

 

[bettymae1121]

It's a shame no one you know is willing to pet sit. My best friend will stay at our home now whenever we need a pet sitter, she brings her two little fur babies along and has fun with them all week. I know that not only is my dog being cared for but the house is being watched too.

Definatly check into licensed/bonded house and pet sitters in your area. Good luck!

 

[bucket o' butter]

Do you know any responsible high school students or college students that could come over several times a day and let him out / take him for walks?