Who watches your pet while you're away?

[cheshirekatt84]

Hi there, I'm trying to seek out some information, kind of a survey...

I run a house sitting and boarding business and have been doing so for over seven years, dealing exclusively with cats, small animals, birds, and reptiles. The past year or so has been the slowest I've ever seen it, and I'm trying to figure out,

a) Who do you turn to when you're going away for a weekend or for a longer vacation?
b) If you don't use a sitter, what is your reason not to?
and c) If you decided you needed a sitter, where would you be looking?

I know it's kind of a business question, but at the same time I'm wondering if, despite all the financial information to the contrary, people are deciding to go the risky route and leave their pets unattended for several days, or if there is more of a reliance on family and friends?

Any help would be appreciated, thanks so much!

[Laligal]

I have a dog, cat and a few birds. When I go I have 2 older kids that will come stay and watch them. I did have an issue last fall my s/o was in the hospital foe a few weeks and my friend came ant took my birds to her house. It was easier for everyone because they eat fresh food and I cook for them she knows what the eat and when to feed what. My sil and older 2 kids took care of the other two.
I have never needed a sitter I am fortunate to have a great support system we trade off if the friend goes away I take her parrot..

[virote]

As far as I can tell more and more people are bringing their pets with them.

http://www.kimptonhotels.com/pdfs/pet/03_Pet_Travel_Trends.pdf

Or, it could be that no one has gas money to travel anywhere.

The latter seems likeliest.

[notanattorney]

We have two dogs. We leave them with family first, if that is an option. Otherwise, we have a person who earns her living as a dog trainer come and stay at the house. (By the way, we found her on craigslist and she is great.)

If we didn't have dogs, we would undoubtedly travel more. Don't know anyone who leaves their dogs alone at home.

[sarallyn]

I do most of my traveling to my family's summer house.
Of course I take Gracie with...

If I go somewhere else, I just leave her with family.

[cheshirekatt84]

How about smaller animals? Birds, bunnies, etc?

Are people opting for large water bottles and gravity food feeders instead of leaving pets with a sitter?

[Laligal]

How about smaller animals? Birds, bunnies, etc?

Are people opting for large water bottles and gravity food feeders instead of leaving pets with a sitter?
My birds get fresh food 2X a day and clean water every few hrs. They also get several hrs of out of cage time. I trust few people to take care of them I have one that will come with me for weekends when possible the other 3 get trusted to a friend with a bird that has a similar diet if its just a day I have someone stop by.

[sarallyn]

I would never leave my smaller pets with a large water bottle and a bunch of food... yikes.

Since I'm usually at my other house for more than a week, I take the chinchillas with me (they have their own cages up there). If I'm not up there for more than a week, I leave the chinchillas with my family (I don't know anyone else knowledgeable in chinchillas -- some people think they are, but then again, they're the ones that feed Kaytee to their chinchillas).

[Laligal]

I would never leave my smaller pets with a large water bottle and a bunch of food... yikes.

Since I'm usually at my other house for more than a week, I take the chinchillas with me (they have their own cages up there). If I'm not up there for more than a week, I leave the chinchillas with my family (I don't know anyone else knowledgeable in chinchillas -- some people think they are, but then again, they're the ones that feed Kaytee to their chinchillas).Have the same problem with people thinking they know birds. I wouldn't feed Kaytee anything to any of my pets and the ones I have taken in I switch right off of it.

[cheshirekatt84]

I would never leave my smaller pets with a large water bottle and a bunch of food... yikes.

I agree...that's why I got into this industry to start with, I'm juust trying to determine if people are going back to the old methods of leaving extra large food dishes and hoping for the best...

[sarallyn]

Have the same problem with people thinking they know birds. I wouldn't feed Kaytee anything to any of my pets and the ones I have taken in I switch right off of it.

Exactly.

I'm always appauled when I get an animal -- and they're being fed something like Ol' Roy. It's friggin ridiculous. These people have no clue.

[bwhatch2]

i just don't go anywhere :) please e-mail me, i have a business proposition in regards to boarding.
-----
bryan
http://www.KozyKrittersPetService.com

[Sosaucy17]

I have two pretty big and very spoiled dogs. I either take them with me when I go or I have a personal friend (sister usually) come to my house and stay with the dogs.

One reason is my male is not dog friendly and both of my dogs are hunters. They are both spoiled they would be such a hand full for anybody.

I plan my trips accordingly so I can travel with my canines. They are like my children, if they can't go, I most likely wouldn't go either.

I am sure this does not help you with your situation.

But as somebody already mentioned in a reply, more and more places are pet friendly these days.

[cheshirekatt84]

Thanks for your opinions guys...the general impression I'm getting is that people are travelling less (which is hard to believe considering the way the Canadian dollar has been sitting), or preferring to leave their pets with friends and family...

I just found it so weird. Two Christmases ago I had seven clients over the holidays, ALL NEW...this year I had TWO, and they were both regulars. Since I haven't changed anything, and if anything I've been doing MORE advertising than normal, I wasn't sure what's going on..