Our #1 reason for no pets...

[ely3857]

We have 2 kittens and when we went to DLRP in Dec we boarded them for 4 nights.

It was heartbreaking leaving them, especially as cats tend to be less forgiving than dogs but everything was fine.

The place we chose has only 6 huts with 1 cat in each unless you prefer, as we did for your 2 to stay together. We were very worried they wouldnt want to come home! They had lots of treats, 1 on 1 care from the couple who own/run the boarding centre as a hobby (they are retired) and heated beds!

When we picked them up I was convinced they wouldnt have a clue who we were but they did! They were excited to see us and happy to get home but obviously very well cared for. We have no reservations about boarding them for 17 nights when we go to WDW in Oct.

My recommendation would be boarding, the are run by people who love aminals and are experienced in caring for them. So long as you pick one carefully it is a second home for them.



Jodie

 

[geetey]

We have dogs - they are family members to us - however, I also would never pass up the chance to travel. We live in a rural town and the boarding place we use is clean, but really run down. It doesn't look like much - its a converted old house. She has a fenced yard that the dogs run around in. When I first saw it, I cringed. It wasn't the pristine animal hospital boarding facility I was used to in our other town. However, that said, my dogs simply L O V E it! They can't wait to get out of the car...they get a chance to bark to their hearts content, they get to run around the yard, and based on the position of their kennel (we always get the same one since we board them all together), they see everything thats going on. We never worry about them. So...give boarding a try...you may feel guilty at first, but your dogs may view it as "doggie camp".

This is how my Westie feels about his kennel. He is SO excited to go! Each dog has their own 'room' with a door to their own run. I have severe allergies so Scamp isn't allowed to go outside for a long periods of time. When he is at the kennel, he can go out and in as he pleases (except at night when all of the animals are kept indoors). He gets a bath on his last day so he is nice and clean from his "vacation".

This works best for us. He is crated during the day if I am out running errands, so having someone 'stop by' just wouldn't work. We have had a family member stay here for an occasional trip but I stress more over those stays, than kennel stays! It seems something always happens when we are gone (not to the dog - just around the house).

Hope this helps!

 

[golfgal]

I know a friend of mine used one of the boarding places there, I can't remember exactly which one but I want to say is was somewhere on the west side of town, maybe on 26th or so????? I went with her to pick up her very pampered dog and the place was very nice. They had a lot of interaction with the dogs and each dog had their own kennel. It was very clean and didn't smell like dogs. I think they kept her cat too. It might have been one of the vet places that boards maybe (this was a few years ago). I wouldn't have hesitated to leave my pet there. I think they even groomed her dog while she was there (she had a poodle).

 

[WonderfulDreamer2]

Check out PetsHotel-part of PetsMart. Dash may have a better vacation than you do

 

[SleepyMom]

Check out PetsHotel-part of PetsMart. Dash may have a better vacation than you do

That cracks me up, he loves new people so if I find the right place he will probably have a great time! We don't have a PetsMart here though, only a PetCo and I don't think they have boarding.

Golfgal, I can't think of anything on 26th, was it 41st maybe? I'm not that familiar with that side of town.

 

[luvmy2sams]

Those doggie inns are wonderful. When we lived in NY, we always boarded our 2 cockers at one when we traveled back home. They are our babies, and we always felt they had a good time on their trip. Some of these places really go all-out with doggie hiking, story time, etc. It was hilarious to look at (and book) all the extras they had to offer. Our pups most definitely remembered us when we returned. I'd suggest just dropping by the place you're looking into...similar to what you'd do if you were checking into child care. The really good places won't care that you haven't called in advance.

When we moved back to OK, we had no choice but to board our dogs with our vet. They were played with and walked throughout the day, but I always worried about them at night. What if the office caught fire and no one was there to get the dogs out, etc? We lucked out a few years ago and now use our babysitter as a house/pet sitter when we're out of town (all major holidays plus 2 vacations). She just turned 30 and lives with her mom, so she enjoys living in her "own house" while we're out of town. I don't know what I'll do if she ever decides to quit on us.

 

[pawsitivemom]

I do pet sitting for a living....not that I'm close to you But...What I do is go into the pets' home 2-3 times a day. I spend about 1/2 hour there. It is great for the dogs (and cats) because they get to stay in their own home so don't get too stressed and it's great for the owner because they get thier house looked after too.....I water plants, do a "security check", bring in mail and papers, take out/bring in garbage, and even shovel the walk if "necessary". I have clients (with cats) that have gone for over a month....when they get home thier pets are happy to see them but..none the worse for wear. I think the longest I've ever done a dog visit for was 17 days.

maybe that is an option...just be sure it is a professional you hire...they will have first aid training, mabye some animal behaviour training and will also have insurance!

Good Luck

I get lucky....my dad has a kennel of "our" dogs and he always keeps a run open for my 3.