Holidays with your Pets

The weather's warm, the waves are inviting, and the kids have school holidays. What's more, there's a wealth of beautiful coastal towns calling your name. Summer is the perfect time for a holiday, but what about the pets? Should you have them cared for at home, take them to catteries or kennels, or take them with you? Here's some valuable tips for you to consider when making this important decision.

Keeping your pets at home

If you choose this option, you need to have a very reliable carer who's not only happy to help, but knows that he or she is absolutely duty-bound to come over and feed your pets at least once a day. For indoor cats, this also requires regular monitoring and cleaning or emptying of litter, so it may not be enough to just ask one of the neighbours to put food and water out. You'll need a committed carer for your pets, particularly if you have one or two who fret while you're away. If you don't have anyone dedicated to the idea, you can always use a reputable commercial petcare service.

Leaving them with professionals petcarers

Of course, most catteries and kennels are run by reputable owners within a safe and secure environment, and mostly there are government regulations for conducting pet boarding. As with any industry, however, there are some operators who aren't ideal. That's why it's essential you inspect the property before you entrust your precious pets to them.

Ask the owners to show you the accommodation and exercise areas to ensure they are clean, spacious and that animals are not placed in too confined cages, or with strangers. "In peak season some kennels double up dogs and your pet might be kenneled with a stranger, so always check with the boarding establishment owner", says PURINA's National Breeding Manager Hugh Gent.

"I remember some years ago a friend who owned a boarding kennel putting a Dachshund and Labrador in the same kennel. The Labrador promptly ate the Dachshund's basket. When the Dachshund's owner returned, he was told that the dog had taken a turn and eaten his own basket", says Hugh. "It's incidents like this that illustrate why kennels shouldn't double up on dogs who do not know each other."

You may also want to ask for references from previous clients. If they're reluctant to do this, go elsewhere. If you are able to see behind the scenes, your own reaction will be your guide.

Of course, most catteries and kennels will not only welcome your request for a thorough inspection, but also charge reasonably and take great care of your pets, so it's a good option to consider. But remember, booking ahead is essential during peak holiday season.

Taking your pets with you

The preference would be to take your pets on holiday with you, although admittedly this isn't always an easy option. Pets, as well as their owners, may suffer separation anxiety. For the animal this can be a very stressful experience.

Taking your pets along for the ride obviously limits your accommodation choices. If you do your research, however, you'll find a perfect pet-friendly place. As well as searching the internet for options, there are some excellent books detailing venues, including "Holidaying with Cats", which is published by Life Be In It, and an excellent publication compiled by Joanne Colak titled "Pets Welcome".

When travelling or going on holiday with your pets, the best option is to take dry food in a sealed container. Fresh meat will deteriorate very quickly and tins are susceptible to heat exposure. Also, it's a good idea to take your own water for your pets when travelling, as unfamiliar water can give them tummy upsets, which is the last thing you need when on holiday.

The distinct benefits of taking your pets with you, however, often make the extra preparation worthwhile. Chris Holman, owner of two blue cattle dogs, Jess and Oakey, has fond memories of he and wife Rachael's last Christmas trip to Brisbane and Toowoomba with the two dogs.

"We were mainly camping, and the dogs were our constant companions throughout the trip. They were always making us laugh, especially when they encountered cows for the first time. They didn't know what to do at first, but after a while their natural instincts kicked in and they started rounding up the cattle, which are about five times their size. It was hilarious, and also wonderful to see the dogs constantly encountering new things on holiday."