Finding the Best Pet Sitter, Pet Boarding, or Pet Daycare this Holiday Season

Content Sponsored by 24Petwatch

Whether it's holiday travel taking you away from home or a schedule full of holiday festivities, many pet parents end up needing to make arrangements for pet care during the holidays. Thankfully, there are plenty of options available to find trusted caretakers. Let's explore the different types of pet boarding, pet sitting, and pet daycare services and what to look for to find the perfect fit for your four-legged friend!

Pet Boarding

While boarding your pet at your local veterinary clinic or kennel has been the go-to option for many pet parents over the years, today, you'll find a much wider variety of pet boarding facilities offering everything from splash pads and pools for pups to play in, to specialized kitty playgrounds with tunnels and perches.

Finding the best boarding facility for your pet depends on many factors, including location, your pet's needs, and available amenities. Start by searching your area for pet boarding options. They'll often provide details to help you make your decision.

If you have an active, social dog, a boarding facility that offers playtime with other dogs might be a great option. However, if you have an anxious or reactive dog, you may want to look for a place with private kennels away from other dogs, so that they can relax. For your feline friend, you'll want to be certain that cats are kept away from dogs and have a quiet environment, ideally with places to scratch, perch, and hide.

Tips for Finding the Best Pet Boarding

While most pet boarding facilities have our four-legged friends' best interests at heart, not all are created equal, so doing your research is important. Here are some tips for finding the best pet boarding.

Tour the Facility Ahead of Time

If you have the time, it's always a good idea to tour the boarding facility first to meet the staff, discuss your pet's needs, and see where your pet will stay. It's also a great opportunity to examine the facility's cleanliness and amenities and ask any questions you might have.

Consider Your Pet's Medical Needs

If your pet has a medical condition or special needs, be sure to inquire if there is a veterinarian on staff should your pet become ill or injured while in their care. A good pet boarding place will either have a veterinarian on-site or have protocols to transfer your pet to a nearby clinic. You may also want to inquire about the staff's level of training. While not all boarding facilities are staffed with veterinary-trained teams, at a minimum — the staff should be trained on the basics of pet health, behavior, and first aid.

Ask About Safety Measures

Safety is crucial for pet parents when they leave their precious dog or cat in the care of others. Be sure to ask about safety measures when shopping around for pet boarding. You'll want to ensure the facility is properly licensed and insured, has an adequate temperature control system with backup power, secure fencing in areas where dogs are let off-leash, and meets fire safety standards with smoke detectors and sprinkler systems.

Pet Sitting

As an alternative to boarding, having a pet sitter come to your home can be a great option for dogs and cats that are easily stressed in a kennel environment or need more one-on-one time. You can find pet sitters in various ways, through pet-sitting agencies or associations, like the National Association of Professional Pet Sitters, apps like Rover, or referrals from family, friends, and your veterinarian.

Some pet sitters stay overnight with your pet, while others adhere to scheduled visits to complete caretaking duties like feeding, walking, and scooping litter boxes. You'll work with your pet-sitter to create the ideal schedule for your pet's needs.

The biggest upside to having a pet sitter versus boarding your pet is that your pet gets to remain in their home, where they are comfortable and can stay on the same feeding and walking schedule. However, if your pet has a medical condition, such as diabetes, boarding them at a veterinary clinic with round-the-clock care may be preferable (consult your veterinarian for guidance).

Finding the Best Pet Sitter

While there's no shortage of pet sitters for hire, finding a trusted one to care for your beloved pet and stay in your home while you're away is a challenge. It requires a bit of research. Here are some tips for finding the best pet sitter!

Conduct Interviews

While it's easier than ever to click a few buttons on an app and have a pet sitter, having the best match for you and your pet is critical. You'll want to interview potential pet sitters beforehand. Ask about their rates, experience, licensing, and ability to handle any special needs your pet may have, like a dog who's reactive on walks or a cat who needs daily medicine administered. After some pre-screening phone interviews, schedule a meet-and-greet with your top choices so they can meet your pet, and you can observe how they interact.

Ask For References and Background Checks

Every pet sitter should have references and be willing to complete a background check. Consider this a red flag if they don't or are unwilling to share information! This removes some uncertainty if you're using an online service, as many people do. You can typically sift through your pet sitter's profile and find reviews from past clients and verified background check information (professional pet-sitting companies will not employ a pet sitter without a clear background check). Look out for any mention of failure to follow instructions, not adhering to the given schedule, or claims of mistreatment.

Discuss Emergency Plans

No one wants to think of anything bad happening to their pet while they're away, but sometimes emergencies occur. Pets can get into fights, injure themselves while playing, become ill, or slip out of the house. You'll want to discuss how these scenarios will be handled with any potential pet sitters. Do they know how to break up a dogfight? Are they trained in animal CPR? Do they know the warning signs of medical distress, like bloat in dogs or urinary blockages in cats? Are they willing to transport your pet to the nearest emergency vet? These are all important questions to ask!

Pet Daycare

Though boarding and pet sitters are great options for pet parents who need to travel during the holidays, daycare is also a great option for those staying home who still need a little help keeping their pup entertained during the busy holiday season. Typically geared toward dogs, pet daycare facilities or "doggy daycares" are a great way to ensure your pup gets enough walks and playtime when you're busy running errands, entertaining guests, or working long hours.

Most dog daycare centers feature large open spaces for walking and running and sometimes even splash pads or pools for pups to play in. Some also offer social interactions, where dogs can play together (after passing a temperament test). Pup parents can usually choose from either half-day or full-day options, so you can drop your dog off in the morning and pick them up after lunch or at the end of the day.

Like regular boarding facilities, to find the best dog daycare, you'll want to tour the facility, meet the staff to discuss your dog's needs and inquire about safety measures and emergency protocols. Although your pup won't stay overnight, you'll still want to ensure they are comfortable and safe during their visits.

Making Sure Your Pet Is Prepared

Preparation is key regardless of who looks after your pet during the holidays. Ensure your pet is prepared with proper ID tags, a microchip, and current vaccinations and parasite preventatives. Those caring for your pet should also have access to your pet's medical history, prescriptions, dietary information, pet insurance information, and your veterinarian's contact information.

For added protection, you may also want to consider a Lifetime Protection Membership from 24Petwatch. You'll have access to veterinary telehealth, discounts on pet-sitting and dog-walking services through Rover, and lost pet recovery specialists standing by to assist should your pet ever wander off.

24Petwatch has helped bring home over 730,000 lost pets and will be there for yours too!