BBB Tip of the Week: Leaving your pet behind while on vacation

Sometimes families don’t have the option of bringing along the family pet on summer vacations, so they often look into finding a sitter or kennel that provides quality care for critters. Whether families own a dog, cat, rodent or reptile, the Better Business Bureau serving the Northwest offers advice to those looking for a safe place to house their four-legged friend while on vacation.

For pet owners looking to hire a professional pet sitter, BBB suggests following these tips when choosing who to hire:

Ask friends, family or a veterinarian if they can recommend a professional pet caregiver. Check out any prospective pet sitters at bbb.org/northwest.

Be sure to interview prospective pet sitters to find out what services they will provide, their experience and whether they are trained to administer any necessary medications or emergency first aid.

Make sure to ask what their fee includes and their payment requirements. Some pet sitters are willing to stay overnight or even do non-pet-related chores.

Plan a visit. Have the prospective pet sitter visit the home to get acquainted with the animal so they are familiar with your pet and the surroundings when they come over to critter sit.

Ask the pet sitter for personal references and call them to inquire about the quality of pet care they received and if they were happy with the service provided.

When planning to board the family pet at a kennel, consider these steps:

Get recommendations from a veterinarian and check out the pet boarding and kennels category on BBB’s website, where you can read reviews, complaints, and more on BBB business profiles.

Visit multiple facilities with the family pet and check for cleanliness, safety of the kennels and quality of the conditions. Be sure to check that the kennel has sufficient ventilation and lighting.

Note the friendliness of staff members toward the family pet as well as with other animals. Ask about their experience and if anyone is on the premises overnight.

Make sure to ask the staff about the pet’s schedule. How often are they fed? Is there a schedule for indoor and outdoor exercise? How long will they be in kennels to rest?

Also be sure to ask about requirements including fees, medical history and the boarding agreement. Make sure the facility requires all pets to have proof of immunizations and ask about their procedures for flea and tick control.

Find out how the facility will keep families updated. Many top-notch facilities offer live webcams so owners can see their pet via the kennel’s website. Be sure to ask about procedures in case a pet has a medical emergency.

Whether families choose to board their pet at a kennel or hire a professional pet sitter, give the caregiver emergency contact information, name and number of the pet’s veterinarian and a list of the pet’s medical and dietary needs. For more tips on pet boarding, visit the Humane Society of the United States.