3. Pet-sitting services
The scoop: Professional pet-sitting services offer a variety of options. Some come and stay overnight with your animal; others will simply visit two to three times a day.
Good for: All pets, especially older animals who might not take well to kennel boarding or going to someone else's house.
Pros: Your pet stays in his own environment, reducing stress. Some services also collect mail, water plants and rotate blinds to give your home a lived-in look while you're away.
Cons: Pet sitting is an unregulated business, so there are no guidelines that sitters have to follow. You're asking a stranger to come into your home and be alone with your pet and belongings.
Price: $10 to $38 per visit. Visits range from 30 minutes to an hour. Some sitters charge extra for administering medications. Expect to pay $40 to $75 for an overnight stay.
Ask yourself: Is the sitter bonded and insured? What's the emergency plan in case the sitter isn't able to make it to your home? Does the sitter have a set of your keys? Does the sitter have an animal first-aid kit? What do your instincts tell you about the sitter? Does the sitter seem genuinely interested in animals?Advice: Get references. Before you go on vacation, arrange for a test visit to see how your pet and the individual interact. It's best to try a second visit when you aren't there to make sure your pooch doesn't play strange or get aggressive. Get a phone number where the pet sitter can be reached. If the sitter tells you she will come visit your dog at the same time every day, you can call home at that time, talk to her and see how your pet is doing. Bonus: The All Canadian Pet Services Network (acpsn.com) is an organization of pet sitters and dog walkers. If you're looking for a sitter this might be a good place to start. You can search by province or complete a form that will be forwarded to all member pet sitters in your area.
4. Kennel
The scoop: Most commonly used for dogs, kennels house your pet in a cage or pen and take them out for exercise.
Good for: Most cats and dogs; not suited for animals who are easily prone to stress and older pets.
Pros: In a word, convenience. You're not imposing on friends or family.
Cons: You are putting your pet in an unfamiliar environment with unknown people and animals. Again, this is an unregulated business, so there are no standards for owners to adhere to. Most will do a good job with your pets, but some might not. Do your research. Price is another drawback. Upscale kennels can cost as much as $50 a day if you have more than one dog.
Price: $12 to $32 a day for one dog; $5 to $16 per day for one cat. There's often an extra charge for giving medications.
