The most common worry that pet lovers have when they are going to be away from home is the idea of leaving their beloved pets in someone else’s care. Pet owners often want someone who will not mistreat or neglect their pets.
Well, they have plenty of choices. Some pet owners would rather leave their pets at home with a professional sitter or full-time staff, or even in a reputable boarding facility.
In this article, we’ll be comparing pet boarding and other alternate services so that you know which is better for you.
What Is Pet Boarding?
Pet boarding is a great way to make sure your pet is happy and healthy while you’re away from them. It is the act of providing accommodation and/or care for a pet (animal or bird) at an approved boarding facility. The good thing about pet boarding is that it allows you to enjoy some free time away from your furry friend.
There are different types of pet boarding services—kennels, pet hotels, doggy daycares, etc., and their choice is dependent on a number of factors.
For more on this, read our article on How to choose an affordable and safe pet boarding facility.
What Are Some Alternatives To Pet Boarding Facilities?
There are a lot of alternatives to pet boarding facilities. They include:
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Contracting a professional pet sitter
Maybe you don’t like the idea of leaving your pet in a kennel or boarding facility. That’s fine; you can look for someone to take care of your pets while you are away. In these situations, a pet sitter will come over to your house daily and take care of your dog while you’re gone. They’ll feed him meals, walk him in the morning and evening, and make sure he stays healthy during his stay by bathing him frequently and making sure he has fresh water available at all times.
When Mr. Mike, a new neighbor on the block, was looking for a place to keep his dog overnight, his wife suggested that they hire a house sitter
He thought this was an interesting idea, but the one thing that kept bothering him was how he was going to leave his house completely for a pet sitter he knew very little about.
The other thing that bothered him was just how expensive it would be to pay someone to watch his dog while they were gone. So if you’re paying someone $80 per night, plus food and other expenses, that means that your total cost might be about $160 per night (assuming you’re only going out for a couple of days). That seems like a lot of money when there are so many other things you could do with the same amount of money!
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Request assistance from a friend or family member
If you have friends or family members who live close by, ask if they would mind keeping an eye on your pets for a few hours every day so that you can go out with friends or do other things without worrying about leaving your pets alone at home.
You could ask them to also do some chores for you while you’re away—like walking your dog or taking him to a vet appointment.
While this might look like a great way to cut down on cost, it might not be easy to find someone who can do all these things for you.
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Join a neighborhood pet cooperative
Pet co-ops are like a group of friends who love and have pets and don’t mind taking in some extra animals to keep company with their own pets. These can be anything from cats and dogs to birds, ferrets, or rabbits. You can leave your pet with a member when you are not around and other members can do the same with you as well when in the same situation.
If you live in the suburbs or rural areas, you may find yourself having to travel farther than you’d like just to visit your pet at their daycare facility. Neighborhood pet co-ops might just be a great option for you.
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Take your pet with you
One alternative to boarding your pet is to take them with you on your journey, if possible. Traveling with your pet can be a great experience for both you and your pet. Pets make great traveling companions. You can take your pet with you when you travel by car or plane. The benefits of traveling with your pet are many. You can avoid the stress of boarding, as well as the extra fees that come with it.
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Hire a dog walker
If you don’t want to board your dog, consider hiring a dog walker. A good dog walker will be able to take your dog on walks, play with them, and bring them to the park, which will allow them to get some exercise outside their home. And they’ll also socialize with other dogs and people in the neighborhood.
What are some advantages pet boarding facilities have over these alternatives?
1. Top-notch care
One reason people might not want to use a pet boarding facility is because they think it’s less humane than caring for their own pets at home or in another setting where they can be near family members and other pets. This is not exactly true. I think there are great pet hotels or doggy daycare centers that can give your pet the best care possible. These facilities offer training, dog walking, grooming and veterinary services as part of their packages. In general, these facilities have higher standards than other forms of pet care, so this shouldn’t be an issue if you choose one carefully.
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Convenience
The first reason boarding is considered better than other options is because it’s much more convenient. If you choose to board your pet at a facility, then there’s no need for you to worry about this at all! You simply drop off your dog or cat and pick him/her up when you’re ready to go home again. This means less stress on both sides of the equation and more time left over in your schedule!
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Works with any schedule
Another reason why boarding is considered better than other options is because it works with any schedule that you might have going on in your life right now! Whether it’s work or school or just plain old life taking its toll on you, there is always something that can work for you.
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Cost-effectiveness
Some people are hesitant to use a boarding facility because they believe it will be too expensive. However, when you compare the prices and services provided by various boarding facilities, you will discover that the price is actually quite reasonable. For example, a typical night in a kennel will cost under $100 at most. This includes the cost of food, water, medications, and vet visits as needed. This might not be the same for a pet hotel, where the services offered might be higher. However, it is very important to consider the cost of each option before making a final decision on which facility to choose for your pet.
5. Opportunity for your pet to socialize
One of the biggest advantages is that they are a great place for your pet to get away from home. They can relax, play, and interact with other animals without you having to worry about what might happen if they get out or go too far.
6. Accessibility
Another advantage is that it’s easy to find a pet boarding facility in most areas. There are many local businesses that offer this service, so it won’t be hard for you to find one close by. If you live on the Island in Lagos, Dulham Veterinary Services offers this service at an affordable rate.
Wrapping up!
Pet boarding is the choice for anyone who wants to ensure a higher level of personal care and attention for their pet. If you have to leave your dog for a few days, you can take some comfort in knowing that their needs will be taken care of. And when you show up to pick your dog up, you know they’re excited to see you. Plus, the social aspect of boarding is a good one—max out the fun factor with a canine friend, so that they aren’t isolated while they’re away from home. Want to know more about our pet boarding services? Hit us up today!