Do you have the opportunity to go on perhaps the sweetest trip of the year, but it isn't pet-friendly? One of the biggest reasons pet owners do not go on vacations is because they cannot find a safe and comfortable pet sitter or kennel at home.
What I usually recommend is finding someone you trust to watch your dog in your own home or perhaps the sitter's home. If this is not possible, find a dog daycare that does not keep your dog in a kennel the entire time while your family is out on a vacation.
How do I find a good dog sitter?
Dog-sitting sites are the easiest to find on Google. These sites will recommend sitters in your area and post their rate per night. What I found convenient was that there was no negotiating or finding out what they are like after you've reached out, but sites like Rover post their bio, rate, and previous experience before you initiate a conversation or booking with them.
With my sitter, I was able to see past reviews of other clients and photos of her interacting with the dogs. It helped put my mind at ease that she had worked with dogs like mine while offering a rate that didn't break my bank.
Rover is popular in my area and I know a few volunteers who work through this site, so this is why I chose them over other similar companies. Their customer service is phenomenal and they have responded to me within hours of me reaching out to them regarding scheduling and payments.
Wag has really similar features to Rover, so it is helpful to do a little research on both sites to see which sitter you connect with the most and feel will do the best job for your dog.
It is helpful to have the sitter come over once or twice before committing to them so that they can introduce themselves and I can show the sitter what my dog's routine is like. My dog is anxious, so the first time he was like "girl, step back;" but by the third time, they were friends and the sitter had no problem following the routine.
What are safe pet daycare facilities?
If having someone in your home while you're on vacation freaks you out or you just cannot find someone that is clicking, there are some daycare facilities that offer boarding. The reason that I make the distinction here between a daycare facility rather than a "hotel" or "kennel" is because daycare facilities have the resources and structures in place for your dog to play, get exercise, and have space during the day, rather than being in a kennel for weeks.
You'll find recommendations for Orange County, Los Angeles, and San Diego.
All recommendations are based off of word-of-mouth or high Google ratings.
Orange County
Paw Sweet Paw offers the following in Irvine:
"Huge play-yards with plenty of space to run and release all of their energy
Carefully selected play-yards allow pets to happily and safely play with friends of a similar energy-level.
If your pet is older, or has a reason to be 1-on-1 instead of in the yeards, we can easily accommodate that as well.
Fresh water at all times, both in the yards and in their suites
A variety of stimulating colors, play-structures, pictures and our fantastic playroom attendants keep your pets engaged and having fun all day long
The Irvine Spectrum location is also a veterinary hospital, so they have a lot of resources in place to ensure that not only does their facility have what your dog needs, but the people are also well-trained and well-trusted to keep your dog safe and happy.
These are the services that they provide for boarding in Newport Beach:
"Staff care for the dogs day and night - we are always cage-free."
"For your pups continual well-being we offer a fun, exciting dog daycare environment with time for lounging as well. There are no cages day or night. During the day, our Pack Leaders play with the pups and at night sleep with the pups. It's a slumber party, with cots and roll-out beds all pushed together at our dog hotel. The dogs love it!
We also offer Doggie Field Trips, a dog walk while staying with us. Grooming and staff bathes before going home ensures good smelling cuddles when your dog returns home after a day or a week of play. For those that love our water feature, we can give your pup a free dry before pick-up."
When they say that there is a "Pack Leader" with them at night, they are so not kidding. You can see this man's foot in the picture (haha!), so if your dog is anxious, this is a great option because they won't even need to sleep alone.
Bark Collective offers the following in Costa Mesa:
large shaded play area
dog-safe turf
multiple play yards
misters for hot days
play-group separation
behavioral trained attendants
This is a clean and safe facility, and they have a lot of reviews on Google, which can be hard to come by since most people are writing reviews when they are upset and not when they're happy with an experience. I like that they list the health requirements to be admitted, so you know that your dog is playing with healthy dogs.
Los Angeles
This has to be the most exciting and fun website I have found for dog resorts and boarding anywhere! Like...why do I want to go too?!
South Park Doggie offers these services in Downtown LA:
24-hour overnight care
unlimited playtime
webcam access for parents through gingr app
daily enrichment activities
swim lessons
agility training
puzzle training
football and soccer
treat parties
arts and crafts
zen and massage
movie club with cuddle attendant
scavenger hunts
These are their pricing packages:
Oh Hello Dog offers the following services in Downtown LA:
An Oh Hello Dog attendant will be with dogs 24/7 and will sleep with the pups to make sure everyone is having a great (and safe!) time.
Play with dogs during the day
Enrichment activities
Nap times (attendants do deep clean during this time)
Our goal is for dogs to get solid rest, engage in quality playtime, not get cranky/anxious from being too tired, and keep their immune systems strong and healthy! It’s wonderful when dogs are happy and tired at the end of their days here, but dogs should not be overtired.
This is a great option if you're looking to keep it low-key for your dog and if your vacation isn't very long.
Star Dogs offers services in West Hollywood:
24/7 on-site staff
Spacious private accommodations, including suites
Comfortable beds
All-day access to daycare play areas
Soothing background sounds during sleeping hours
Always-available water and food per your dog’s schedule
Web cameras available on suites, accessible only to reservation holder
Free bath and brush for guests staying 10 days, and 20% off for all other guests.
Access to our full suite of services such as activities, grooming, and training
A Pomeranian taking an indoor walk on a treadmill? Say less! This was personally recommended by a friend and she noted that they only accept small dogs, so for a Pomeranian, this makes a free for all play area seem less scary.
If you are looking to have a sitter but they cannot be home for most of the day to watch your dog, you could consider using both a sitter and a daycare facility like Dogdrop.
San Diego
24 Hour Dog Daycare offers services in Miramar and Escondido:
This place has a lot of reviews online with a 5 star average, so it seems pretty solid. They have two different types of boarding packages for a dog, and they even have a ten night boarding package that you can easily level up for a trip that is longer than ten days.
Their basic package for a social dog (non-private suite) guarantees that each dog gets:
Dogs get play all day
Dogs get to sleep next to their friends
Constant human attention
10% off for dogs staying 10 or more nights
20% off for dogs staying 20 or more nights
Their basic package for a non-social dog (private suite) guarantees that each dog gets:
Dog gets a private suite all to themselves
Lots of one-on-one breaks with a human
Frequent outside potty breaks
10% off for dogs staying 10 or more nights
20% off for dogs staying 20 or more nights
They advertise that they have "No fees for feeding or medication, and no late fees."
Dog Days offers services in San Diego:
"Overnight boarding at Dog Days is always a uniquely customized experience for each individual dog. Our 24 hour onsite team members customize the care of each dog based on their most current needs, whether a dog may prefer the slumber party-style sleeping quarters we have indoors (separated by size and temperament), with direct access to an outdoor yard. Or we may discover that they thrive in a solo furnished kennel suite, with extra peace and quiet to rest up for the next fun-filled day. Whatever the case may be, we emphasize the well-being of each dog by monitoring them closely each day and tailoring their care regularly to best support them."
For first time visitors to Dog Days, "All dogs must complete an Evaluation Day or Retest Day before being eligible for daycare services." They are similar to the other San Diego boarding spots in that they do not charge extra for administering medication. Dog Days requires that you provide the food in an airtight container, so packing a bag for your dog before the trip is useful!
Dog Days offers add-ons to the packages, including treat time, pack hikes, and training. Could be an interesting option if you are looking for stimulating activities while you are out on vacation!
Making sure your pet is well taken care of while you're on vacation is super important for a stress-free getaway. Whether you go with a reliable pet sitter, a well-known dog daycare, or a mix of both, it's crucial to do your homework. Platforms like Rover and Wag! are great for finding experienced and caring pet sitters.
Additionally, don't sleep on local dog daycare spots that offer playtime, socializing, and comfy accommodations for your furry friend. After all, knowing your pet is happy and cared for is the best reward when you're traveling!!
Comments