Here's how to solve a common problem pet owners have when they go away

If you are planning a holiday it can be a real concern as to what to do with your pets. You want to do the best for them but may struggle to find the right option for yours or your pet’s special needs. I understand how you feel. I remember when I first took my little dog to a Kennel I drove away bawling my eyes out….which was quite dangerous when I was trying to drive. I took her to 4 different Kennels in her life and didn’t really like any of them. She would often come back with the Tux biscuits they fed (but she didn't eat) buried in her bed. I thought there must be a better option.
The key to keeping your pets happy is to change as little as possible. You want to make sure they are fed their normal food, exercised their normal amount, they have company (if they like that), they keep their normal routine, that they are safe and warm in the colder winter month...and that they are loved.
There are 4 options

1) You take them with you….sometimes an option but often not practical if you are flying to destination or you are staying in a place where you can’t have pets. And even if you can have them there, what do you do with them if you are out for the day on the golf course, or wanting to go to a restaurant or at the hot pools?


2) You put them in a Kennel or Cattery. There are many good facilities around and some pets love going to them...but there are some not so good ones and just as many pets that get very stressed when they go to a new location. You will know your own animal and whether they will do well in that situation. I recommend having a look yourself and talking to the owner/manager/staff. Ask questions pertaining to your pet’s particular requirements and judge for yourself. Ask too if the owners/managers are new to the job, which may indicate some inexperience or if the business is on the market, which may indicate some lack of enthusiasm for the job. Burn-out is a big issue in the pet care world when people are working and caring for pets every day.

"Pussy was very happy to stay at home. None of the usual cattery drama. The plants are healthy and I’m very happy too."

"Puss looked in better condition than I left him, was loving the house to himself"
"I think I was more worried than they were!! Very happy and relaxed, and didn’t ignore us like they usually do after a cattery”. Hayley Andrews
"My partner and I went away for the weekend but when arranging it found ourselves worried about taking the pets (1 cat, 1dog) to the kennels. Don’t get me wrong, the people at the kennels are great but Pasta (our dog) doesn’t like to be caged and the cat hates change. By chance I came across an ad in the local paper for a pet sitting company, I don’t know if I am allowed to mention their name on here but they were FANTASTIC. They fed both animals, picked up doggie doos from the lawn, walked, petted, pampered, you name it they did it! Our animals were so happy when we got home; it was like we had never left. As well as this we got a small written daily report about behaviour and well being and a welcome home card. Yeah but how much?? It was cheaper, better service and far more friendly for our pets and I highly recommend anyone going away to look into it." Rose

3) You can ask your friends, family or neighbour to look after them. This may work for you...as long as your friend, family or neighbour is responsible, reliable, mature, not too busy, well-fenced, has the same pet care standards as you do, is experienced with animals, committed, has good common sense and is kind and caring. Oh and that they are willing to do it. They may say to you that they are willing to do it as a favour but are they willing to do it well? And what happens when there is a problem? Just today I was contacted by a client who had chosen to use her friends to care for the dog this time. The text said things weren’t working out for them. The dog’s owner said they’d be around at midday to drop the dog off..the truth was that as soon as they got a text from the owner to say it was fine for me to care for the dog, they were in the car. I said to the carers ”She’s a rather exuberant dog isn’t she” They said..”She ran away twice and broke the gate”..Oh dear.

4) You can use a Pet Sitting/Pet Home Stay or House Sitting service like the one Absolutely Precious Paws provides. Pet Sitting is looking after your pet in your own home. Cats especially, but many dogs too prefer their own home environment where they can lounge on their (owners) beds and snack on their normal food. Some other benefits are you don’t need to take them on the car trip to the kennel or cattery or fit into their drop off or pick up times. Your pet will avoid exposure to illness from other animals and your house can be checked and given a lived in look as well.
The Pet Home Stay option is where your dog (and sometimes cats) stay in the home of a Pet Sitter. Some of the features of the Pet Home Stay in Tauranga includes a bedroom with queen sized bed to sleep on and 6 different inside heated rooms, dog appeasing pheromone to calm new dogs, and filtered water in their water bowls. We have pools, couches, and toys and the optional use of treadmill. “Songs to make Dogs Happy” on the C/D player and Skype on the laptop camera, so you can check in if you are near a computer. And for your convenience, flexible pick up and drop off times.
You will receive peace of mind knowing that our experienced, qualified, responsible, mature, reliable Vet Nurses and Pet Sitters are caring for your pets with integrity, kindness, common-sense and love. That’s why one of our guarantees is you will leave with peace on mind and come home to happy pets.
Also we guarantee we will ensure your pets physical and emotional needs and wants will be met so they will remain healthy and happy and won’t get lonely.
We guarantee we will visit when scheduled and can send you a text to confirm.
We guarantee we will attend to their needs as requested, thoroughly and with love.
And we guarantee we won’t go snooping through your bedroom drawers.( we know some trades-people do thanks to the “Target” show). If you would like to talk to us about caring for your pet visit our website http://www.preciouspaws.co.nz/

Not all Pet Sitting services are the same. Look for someone with extensive experience, not just animal experience but experience Pet Sitting and knowing about the potential problems that can arise and how to deal with them, or that they are supported by people who have the experience. This would mean they have been in business for a number of years. Anyone can set themselves up in a Pet Sitting business relatively easily. Experience is the difference between someone who can give you peace of mind and someone who can’t. Having hired well over 20 Pet Sitters in the last 10 years, interviewed scores more, and been in contact with other Pet Sitters around the world, I know it’s a special person who chooses this as their calling. Even though you may meet a Pet Sitter and think “oh they are really nice” doesn’t mean they will be the best person for the job. It’s the difference between a people person and a task orientated person. Your Pet Sitter will be completing tasks, so the ability to do that is more important than them being a really nice person. The sort of people I hire have both people and task skills but predominantly are task orientated, so I know they will do as you ask and do it thoroughly and carefully. Another important factor is qualifications and that these qualifications have then been used in the field. Again anyone can go and get an animal or Vet Nurse qualification, but if that has been followed up with on the job experience in a Vet Clinic, at the SPCA or similar, then that is far better. If your pet has some sort of medical condition you will need to know that your pet sitter is able to deal with that. Sometimes I have looked after animals and they have had unknown medical conditions, or undiagnosed medical conditions, which become quite obvious when I am caring for them. Some conditions owners may put down to old age, when they can be quite simply treated and alleviate the animals discomfort.
Other factors to consider is if they have Liability Insurance and are police checked...not only that they run a police check on themselves, but also their staff or contractors. Ensure that they have a few people on their team as back up if they are unwell..and also so they can have some time off. Read some references from previous clients and ask for one of them to talk to or email if you are unsure. If you would like to discuss your needs with us visit our website www.preciouspaws.co.nz
“I would not consider using anyone other than Absolutely Precious Paws to care for Jazz when we are away. The family go out of their way to attend to her every need. Special mention must go to Kerry who sits with Jazz through Thunder, Lightning and Fireworks. Absolutely Precious Paws is Jazz's second home and she is always relaxed whenever Lisa picks her up for another holiday. Delwyn Weatherly

" Absolutely Precious Paws is a perfect option for me as my dog doesn't like to be alone for very long. I feel assured that he's in great hands when I go away especially given Lisa's qualifications. My dog is always very excited when we arrive at Lisa's and very content when we pick him up again. Thanks Lisa :-)
Alice McConnochie

" Absolutely Precious Paws is such a great service. I was very nervous leaving my 4 month old kitten at home for the first time while I went away for a week. I returned to a really happy wee girl who now answered to her name! I've used them loads since then and they really go the extra mile. Special thanks to Jenny & Lisa for the fantastic work they do - its great to have peace of mind when I'm away”
Nikki Limond


“I would personally highly recommend the services provided by Lisa and her staff at Absolutely Precious Paws to anyone who wants the absolute best care for their loved pet while they have to go away. We have been using Lisa since we moved through from Christchurch last year and I can’t speak more highly of a more perfect place for our precious dog to go when we have to go away for a weekend, a week or just a day. The ease of being able to drop her off at a flexible time and knowing that she will be well looked after with lots of cuddles and not being put in a cage. They have long walks if you choose and are able to play with other dogs as well. It is a great feeling when your dog jumps out of the car to Lisa with tail wagging and wanting to play.”
Lucy Brooking