Going on vacation? Here’s what you can do with your pet
The holidays are finally upon us and this is a time of joy, relaxation and going on vacation.
However, when you have pets, it’s slightly more difficult to pack up and take off, especially if you cannot take them along on the trip.
Boarding kennel
There’s always the first (obvious) solution of taking your pet or pets to a boarding kennel.
Most areas have a registered SPCA, if not, there should be one in a neighbouring town.
Debbie Miller from the Springs SPCA, says that when taking your pet to the boarding kennels at the SPCA, you need to:
• take your dog’s up-to-date vaccination card,
• vaccinate your dog if the card is not up to date, this MUST be done two weeks before taking your dog to the SPCA.
Ask the the vet to inject for rabies, kennel cough and normal vaccination.
• Bring along your dog’s everyday food.
“If your dog eats three times a day, we will feed it three times a day,” says Debbie, “or if they always get a treat at night, bring that along as well and we will give it to them accordingly.”
The SPCA supplies your dog with the necessary bedding, but Debbie says that owners can bring their dog’s bedding if they feel it may make them more comfortable and at home.
Boarding costs at the SPCA per day/night are as follow:
• Small breed: R40
• Medium breed: R45
• Large breed: R50
• Extra-large breed: R55
Debbie adds that they also house larger kennels, no matter the size of the dog, for R5 extra per day/night.
If you have two dogs and would not like to separate them in different kennels, Debbie says that two dogs can, of course, be placed in the same kennel.
“Kindly keep in mind that you have to book kennels prior to dropping off your pets,” Debbie concludes.
Pet boarding
If the first option does not suit you, have you consider pet boarding?
If you cannot leave your pet at home, try boarding your pet at someone else’s house.
This can be either a friend or relative whose home is pet friendly and is someone who knows your pet.
Ask a friend
If neither of the above choices make you comfortable, ask a friend or relative to feed your dog in the safety of its own space.
Leave your dog at home with lots of toys and things to keep it busy and ask someone you know to drop by every day to feed your pet and make sure there is enough fresh water for it.
Pet sitter
Lastly, if none of these choices seem like a solution, hire a professional pet sitter who is good with animals.
The pet sitter will then live in your house while you are away and not only feed the animals, but also give it love and affection so that the pet will not become lonely.
