With the weather finally turning its back on an all-too-frosty winter, it’s the time of year when thoughts turn to sunny beaches, cross-country road trips and foreign excursions. But even the happiest summer plans can be darkened by the problem of what to do with the pets while you’re away.
As the owner of a North American Stresshound, I’m sympathetic. I have the sort of dog that desperately tries to eat through the walls if I step out to check the mail, so the thought of leaving him for a week gives me indigestion. But there’s no way around it. Once in a while, we humans have places to go.
You may be lucky enough to have nearby friends or family willing to pet-sit in your absence. For anxiety-prone animals, this might be the lowest stress option, especially if your pets are already familiar with those people and they can stay at your home.
More often than not, though, you’re going to need to rely on boarding to keep your critters safe while you’re gone. Nobody likes to board their pets. We think about them sitting alone and bored, one Sarah McLachlan song away from being the saddest thing ever. But with a little bit of planning, it’s really not so bad.
Of course, it’s a good idea to visit prospective boarding kennels in advance to scope out the amenities. If your dog is big and boisterous, she might benefit from a kennel that has large amounts of space to stretch her legs or an associated daycare program to keep her occupied. If your pet is small and timid (or a cat), he might be perfectly content with less space in a quieter environment.
Most kennels allow you to drop off a few home comforts to keep the experience from being too jarring —maybe a favorite bed or stuffed animal, and regular food and treats. And if you’re really worried about how your pet will take to the change, it’s not a bad idea to schedule him for a one or two night test run to see how it goes. It will probably turn out that you’re far more anxious than he is.
While most boarding experiences are uneventful, medical problems can rear their head. Prevention is, of course, your first defense, and your pets should be up-to-date on any appropriate vaccines. These shots don’t take effect immediately, however, and need to be given about two weeks beforehand. It’s also worth making sure your kennel requires that its other residents are properly vaccinated. Just as in people, immunity works best when everybody is covered, and outbreaks are more likely when the safety net has holes.
Boarding facilities are generally well-equipped to handle routine medical needs. If your pet is on any medication or requires a particular diet, they should be able to accommodate you without any hassle. But should an emergency arise, it’s important that you’ve left the staff with your primary veterinarian’s contact information.
Apart from all the details, it’s still worth mentioning one important thing: The kinds of people who work at boarding kennels absolutely love animals, and yours are no exception. They’re likely to stop and spend time with your pet if he looks upset or bored. Is it the same as being home with the family? Of course not. But they are in the hands of people who genuinely do care. That alone should make it easier to enjoy your vacation, and your pets will be waiting happily when you return.
Dr. Fietz is a small animal veterinarian at Georgetown Veterinary Hospital. He received his veterinary degree from Cornell University in 2003.