Traveling when you have pets

Meet Tessie and Jaeger:

Traveling can be difficult for people with pets. If you’re like us and don’t have anyone nearby who can watch them, multiple day trips can seem like an impossibility.

Fortunately there are simple solutions available to help ensure that you can take that vacation you’ve been dreaming of while ensuring that your fur babies are well taken care of.

Rover

The era of the shared economy has ushered in a variety of new business models. One of these is Rover, an airBnB for pet sitters and dog walkers.

The era of the shared economy has ushered in a variety of new business models. One of these is Rover, an airBnB for pet sitters and dog walkers.

The website offers a variety of search options: you can have someone come stay at your place and watch your pets there or, if you’re not comfortable with a stranger in your home, you can look for sitters willing to watch your pets at their home. 

Sitters state what they are willing to do for your pet (daily walks, taking them out 3 times a day, etc), what their home is like (single bedroom apartment, house with a fence, etc), and how much they charge per night. After finding someone you like, you can contact them and can talk for a bit before committing to anything so you can make an informed decision.

The website is extremely easy to use and they also have an app available for Android and iOS.

PetSmart PetsHotel

If you would prefer that your pet receive a little more professional supervision, than you may want to consider the PetsHotel by PetSmart.

One of the great things about the PetsHotel is the wide variety of pet watching services they offer. Whether your going on vacation for a few days or just need someone to watch your pet while you’re at work, the PetsHotel can take care of you and your four-legged companions.

The PetsHotel offers a wide variety of options for over-night boarding

Included in the cost of boarding is:

• 24/7 onsite care & on-call veterinarian

• Temperature-controlled environments with separate ventilation systems for dogs & cats

• Exercise walks at least twice daily in our large playrooms

• Unlimited walks to relief rooms

• Complimentary meals

And for additional fees, you can add options like:

• One-on-One Play

• Spa Services

• Personal Training Camp

PetsHotel is a bit more bureaucratic than Rover. As part of a large company like PetSmart, it is to be expected that there are a decent amount of forms to fill out and sign as well as. You will also have to provide immunization records for your pets. Now, of course I highly recommend keeping your pets’ vaccinations up to date for the sake of their health, however needing to bring this documentation is another extra step you have to take.