We're going to Seattle for vacation this July to visit our oldest and his wife. We're taking all the kids but our second oldest, who is unable to go.
I'm really struggling about what to do with our fur/feathered babies. We do NOT want to board/kennel the animals. Our DSH is 10 and has had a rough year from a psychological standpoint. Our African Gray would be totally confused and our little Raggie...well she's just a baby.
How do you feel about kennels/boarding? Our thought at this point, is that we'll have Drew come home twice a day, feed the animals and play with them and maybe hang out here to watch TV at night (we have cable, he doesn't. He'd love it. LOL) Drew no longer lives at home, but close enough to come by. Our animals are rarely alone and they're used to being together. I'm home during the day and that's what they're used to.
Do you think they'd be better off at home with Drew 'visiting' or better off being kenneled/boarded ?? Kenneling/boarding would separate them and they would NOT understand that. I really don't like the thought of them being boarded (and separated) but I don't like the thought of them home alone all day, either.
Any thoughts ??
I would think that having them at home would best overall. Sounds like they'll get love and attention, 2 visits a day will reassure them, and they won't be exposed to all the stress, noise and germs of a boarding facility.
Kitty....you think two visits a day will be enough? Right now, he's saying that he'd stop in the morning on his way to work and then after work or for the evening.
I worry too much about them, I guess. LOL
I definitely do the pet sitting thing with your son and not board. To much stress if they aren't used to it and there is a chance they can pick up an illness of some sort. I'm sure they'll be fine with Drew.
When I go out of town I have a petsitter that comes in twice a day (used to have one that stayed at my house and I liked that better, but.....). The girls and Smoke seem to do fine with just twice a day. I'm sure they'd get by with just once, but I too worry about them and like them checked twice a day (I also require e-mails every day!)
I would go with staying in a known home atmosphere as it is less stressful. Two visits is more than enough and they will be fine.
Enjoy your vacation
I think that they will be much happier at home with Drew visiting--since they will have each other, I think twice a day is plenty---don't worry they'll be fine--Dakota is an 'only child' and he has stayed at home over the weekend by himself, and he is perfectly fine when we return (very happy to see us!) Just make sure you leave all the doors closed where they are not allowed and all the doors blocked open where they are allowed so that they do not lose access to their food, water or litterbox for 12 hrs straight if the door is accidently closed.
We've done this before. Our son comes twice a day, morning and early evening, (although that's because we have the dogs who need to go out). Our african gray is fine, and the cats are as well. Once in a while he'll sleep over if we're gone for a week. It works great. I stopped kenneling our dogs a long while ago. They would come home stinky, and sick, and I felt horribly guilty. This works much better. Your animals will be fine with your son.
Yes....I agree with everyone else. Definitely leave them at home.
We take care of my sister's cats when she vacations and go morning and again in the evening. She has two indoor cats and they are just perfect with that arrangement.
Enjoy your vacation.
I agree with the others, keeping them in their home environment would be better than boarding. This way the only thing different is your absence. If you board them, they will have an entirely different routine, different sounds and smells, they won't have each other and they still won't have you.
I live about 90 miles from you (Mosinee, WI). If you ever need to board the the fur/feather babies, let me know. I'll take them.
If you can arrange to have a house sitter, that is definitely the easiest way to go for your pets (and cost effective for you!). I personally do not mind boarding when I have to, but my fears with boarding usually end up being if my pet will get sick or not. There are really great places out there, you just have to look for em and make sure you talk to people who have had their pets stay at which ever place you board at to get feedback.
If I ever had to board, I already know where Solo would go. We have a cat only specialty vet clinic that boards. They have kitty cottages there where they play those cat dvds all day for them and each cat get his own condo. It is a 3 level condo with litter boxes at the bottom, and it looks neat. It is kind of small, but they do take them out to play with a few times a day, they are clean, and have separate ventilation systems for each condo. I would still have a home sitter over boarding, but when in home sitters are not available, I do not think boarding is bad. Pets live in the moment and will get over it