Need ideas on boarding pets for vac.

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-12-2004
Need ideas on boarding pets for vac.
14
Thu, 07-07-2005 - 1:17am
Hi, everyone. Hope you can help me with this upcoming expenditure. We have two cats, and fish. We are going on vac. for two wks in August. I checked on boarding at the vets. Have not done that before for any length of time. Well, it is $20 per cat per day. If, of course, I wanted their shots updated, baths, etc., it would be extra, but they have coupons and specials for that. Looked into online pet-sitting services. Not much in my area. Somewhat cheaper. One person had excellent credentials---bonded, vet tech, experienced, etc. Asking friends is out of the question. Everyone is busy, and it would be an inconvenience and imposition to have someone come over daily. Did this once, and paid a friend $300, but they didnt always have time, etc. All suggestions welcomed. Whiz.

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iVillage Member
Registered: 08-19-2003
Fri, 07-08-2005 - 3:43pm

Well the going rate for pet sitters is $20 per day x 14 days =$280. So the $300 is $20 dollars too much.

To board at a kennel, its about $60 a day for my 2 dogs. There is added fees for shots, grooming, and if they end up staying longer then the reservation.

Shannon

Shannon


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Avatar for mymartes
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Fri, 07-08-2005 - 3:48pm

Man....makes me grateful I had my cousin. And now....we have one cat (same one that lived in California) and a dog. When we go away, my parents look after them. My parents go away once or twice a year for a month or longer. I take care of their dog and cat (for free).

Too bad you don't live nearby.

P.S. While living in California, a young couple moved in next door. I would watch their two cats. The wife would bring me a little token of appreciation. (She once gave me a Mikasa bowl). I still have it. I wasn't expecting anything. I was doing it for free and because they were good neighbors.

MYM

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-07-2003
Fri, 07-08-2005 - 5:19pm

If you know you would feel more comfortable at the vets, but the $20/head/day is too much....I would call and speak with your vet again.

if you are a regular customer..since MOST vet practices are owned by a vet working there...they can be pretty flexible with boarding fees.

Explain that it will be a 2 week stay.

What size are your cats compared to the size of the boarding facilities? could they stay in the same kennel for that time period (if your vet will allow it?) Do they have discounts for providing your own food &/or litter? Considering you'll be boarding 2 animals for 2 weeks..so that's 4 weeks of boarding time they'll be collecting....they might work with you. Also if you will be getting vaccines updated and whatnot while you're there.

I mean...summertime a lot of vet offices are pretty full anyway..so its not like they are paying someone just to care for your animal, you know? they should be able to cut some sort of discount.

That being said...cats and fish are both pretty low-maintainance pets. Especially since you have 2 cats, so they can entertain eachother.

You could probably have someone come out every other day, or in the morning one day and not until the next evening...and you'd be fine. I know my good friend leaves her cat for 3 days without worrying or having anyone check on it -- as long as you have plenty of water and your cat is happy with dry-food... So you might be surprised to find a neighbor or coworker who wouldnt mind. (and, if you're in apartments, check in the office...they might know someone they can 'recommend' -- OR one of hte office employees might be willing ot do it for a flat $100 or something. I know the assistant at MY apartment complex would!)

Even if that cats go to the vet, depending on the type of fish....he could probably trvel to your office or somewhere for the 2 weeks...most people wouldnt consider dropping a few flakes of food in a day too big of a task, in my opinion.

As for whether or not $300 is too much...it probably depends on where your located and how much you would ask of your pet sitter. $150 a week for pet sitting in Boston or NY is something completely different then $150 a week in a small midwestern town.
(I've lived in Massachusetts and Missouri, so thats why I chose those examples. :D )
It's also different if you want someone to stop in every few days, check the food and water, and thats it...or if you want someone to bring in the mail, put down fresh tuna, wait til kitty has eaten, clean kitty's dish, let kitty watch a 30 minute bird-watching video, give kitty 2 and a half cat treats, fill the dry-food bowl, wash out the water bowl and refill with bottled water, play with kitty and a string toy for at least 20 minutes so she's exercised...etc. (yes, my now-Vet college roomie pet sat for some interesting people in college.)

It sounds like you would be more comfortable having your pets with a professional caregiver. if thats the case, then I would just try every sort of finagling I could to get the lowest rate they'd give me.
Remember: the space is there, the electricity is being used, the Staff is there, either way. they ARE flexible in their rates.

~ Teresa

Teresa
http://www.affordingpickles.blogspot.com

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-12-2004
Sat, 07-09-2005 - 1:06am
Hi, everyone. Again, thanks for the tips. Hmmm--I agree, $300 is a bit steep for coming to the house. We plan on having the mail stopped at the post office, but there may be a need to water plants. Animal shelters---now that is an idea--they may know of someone who can sit. It is worth checking into. I will start asking the vet if they have boarding deals, just in case the sitter thing doesnt pan out. They have discounts for everything else (i.e., 10% off shots on certain days),so they might just cut me a deal. I will ask. Will keep you posted. Will try all suggestions, as I only have two weeks to put this together. Thanks again to all. Whiz.

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