Often people are surprised on how much it can cost to go on vacation without your furry friend(s). While boarding kennels start by looking cheaper you often have to upgrade for better accommodations and social time. Take an average kennel price of $25+, many times this is a concrete floor with chainlink fencing and may or may not be an indoor/outdoor kennel. If they have to be walked to their potty areas commonly it’s four times a day unless you pay for more let outs, or if they do have access to their potty areas you aren’t guaranteed that your dog will get social time with a human unless you again pay for more time. Now some of the more expensive kennels have much more accommodations that seem more home like, these are often in the $50+ per day and may have pools or spa areas but often these also still cost in addition to the daily fee. Plus if you have more than one dog these costs can almost double!
HOUSESITTING SPACE:
The best part is that they are in the space they know best, their own home. While most dogs are used to you being away from home during work times they live for the evenings when you can be there to let them out and give them one on one (or more) time. With our nightly rate we not only stay with them as you would, but we have let out during the day, most dogs love breaking up the day with play. We also don’t change prices for more than one dog or other pets; we will care for them all as you would if you could be there.
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| These two 'brothers' loved playing at home with all their own toys. |
KENNEL COMFORTS:
Some places will allow you to bring some food from home and maybe some comforts like a blanket or toys, but many places prefer to use their own items to make cleaning and feeding more streamlined. This can put stress on your pet’s digestive system as they switch foods and frequently that leads to more issues when they have to switch back to their regular food back home. Some kennels will allow toys and blankets in their kennel area but if the dog is stressed these can become problems if they chew and swallow pieces or if other dogs get to the items from the sides.
HOUSESITTING COMFORTS: We use the same food, toys, beds and treats that you have picked out for them with care to each pet’s personality and needs. In addition to your pet(s) care we also take care of the house, such as bringing in the mail, watering the plants, putting out birdseed. This not only protects your home from someone thinking it’s easy picking for breaking in but also from natural crisis that could be caught quickly before more harm comes to the home. This saves you the stress of having to find a neighbor or friend to watch over your home while someone else also watches your pet, why not have it all done at the same time.
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| This pup loved using me as her bed, and I loved her snuggling. |
KENNEL STRESSES:
While most kennels keep dogs separate for safety there is often a lot of stress in going to a new place and hearing all the others. Just think how often your dog is away from your home and then take away the security of you as well. If they don't have toys or blankets that smell like you this can also lead to stress of wondering what happened to you. These can lead to minor behavior issues such as barking, chewing, drooling and anorexia is some dogs while the stress is still there.
HOUSESITTING STRESSES:
While we try to make everything as if you were there we are still not you, and that can be somewhat stressful. Luckily with all the fun they will have and all the home comforts the stress is often little and easily forgotten.
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| This little pup loved to check out the windows to make sure no one was coming before taking a nap. |
