Travel in peace knowing your pet is in safe hands!

Vacations are coming up, and unfortunately you can't bring your cat or dog with you. Don't worry! There are several options available to you. All you have to do is decide which one is best for your pet.

Boarding care

It’s essential that you carefully evaluate the options available to you. Opt to visit the location, for instance, and meet with the staff early on. If you find the setting suitable, go back a second time, and bring your pet with you. This will get them used to the surroundings and allow them to establish some primary contact with the location and the people working there.

Thanks to the internet, you’ll likely be able to get updates on your pet as well as photos of them via websites and social media. This well help you bridge the distance between you and your four-legged pet!

Selection criteria

Here are a few important points to consider when choosing a boarding facility.

Cleanliness of the premises
Whether all animals are up-to-date with vaccines
Size of the enclosed space
Access to the outdoors
Degree of contact with other animals
Physical activity (multiple walks every day)
Anima-Québec certification

With family or friends

Leaving your pet with friends or family can seem an excellent alternative. Your pet will already feel at ease having already become familiarized with the person they’re staying with. Just be sure the house you’re leaving them in is adapted to the needs of your dog or cat. If they’re prone to running away, it would be ideal that the family have a closed yard or that they be available to take multiple walks every day. Clearly, they must get along with any pets the family may have.

Quick tip: avoid dog parks! Even if your dog is used to going to the park to play with his fellow pups, they can still be at risk for injuries and accidents — and this would be devastating were it to occur in your absence.

At home with a caretaker

Having a loved one come to the house is an easy option and often the least stressful since the animal doesn’t have to change environments. This way, they remain firmly anchored in their routine and exposed to fewer health risks.

If your pet is anxious and doesn’t like to be alone, you should have someone come to your house to stay. If, however, your furry friend happens to be highly independent, as many cats are, a few visits per day can suffice if you’re just going to be out of town for a short period of time.

Having a trustworthy friend who is available for daily walks and who can ensure your pets’ needs are met is a highly effective solution.

What to plan before you leave

Keep their health in mind and plan accordingly!

Vaccines

Keep vaccines up to date! The basic vaccines for rabies and kennel cough must be up-to-date. The vaccine against kennel cough (Bordetella Bronchiseptica) will help prevent contamination from fraternizing with other pets at the guest house. Kennel cough is a highly contagious illness that is transmitted via aerosol, meaning it doesn’t require direct contact.

Anti-flea and anti-parasite protections

Anti-flea and anti-parasite protections must be up-to-date. Animal guest houses bring in thousands of animals every year, which increases the likelihood of your pet bringing these tiny creatures back home with them.

Identification

Identification via tags or a microchip is strongly recommended. If your pet happens to run away, a microchip will allow you to locate them more easily and lead them back home.

Health record

Keep health record showing their medical history, vaccine status and any information about their veterinarian. Advise staff about any intolerances or allergies, or any medications they may be taking. This will ensure a smoother administration.

Emergency contact person

Provide an emergency contact person and ensure they are informed about any intentions you have regarding treatments. Be very clear: doing so will help avoid any mishaps while ensuring your pet has all the care they’ll need if ever a problem arises.

Last recommendations

Once you’ve left, it is essential that you make sure your pet maintains their health and that any potential problems are avoided. It is equally important that you ensure they’re comfortable, have quality food, and sufficient exercise. On that note, here are some final recommendations to help ensure your pet keeps in high spirits while you’re away:

Follow their regular diet to avoid any digestive problems. Bring your own food along when taking them outdoors.
Bring their bowls, leash, harness, blanket, bed and toys from your house in order to help them be more at ease.
Regardless of which pet care option you choose, be sure to leave a notebook detailing their daily habits.
Opt for interactive feeders for mealtime when you’re not around. These toys keep your pet occupied and help them expend energy during meals. It’s a wonderful way to reward them while keeping them stimulated!
Stock up on treats, canned foods and other items your pet loves in case they refuse to eat and need a little extra encouragement.

Follow these tips and take the necessary precautions when it comes to choosing a sitter, and you’re sure to set off on your journey with full peace-of-mind. It’s finally vacation time — enjoy yourself!