The Pros and Cons of Entrusting Your Pet to a Pet Sitter vs. a Boarding Center

There are cases when you have to go abroad or to a faraway place, be it for business or pleasure, and leave your pets behind. You actually have 2 options: hire a pet sitter or entrust your pet to a boarding facility. Both options have their advantages and disadvantages.

hire a pet sitter

Advantages – Of course, your pet will remain within a familiar environment. Remember that animals are happy if they stay in familiar places. Second, hiring a pet sitter will ensure that your pet receives its regular diet; therefore, you would not worry about him or her suffering from gastrointestinal diseases. Third, your pet will receive one-on-one attention from your contracted pet sitter, as opposed to a pet boarding center where each person must divide their care between a couple of pets. Fourth, you don’t have to transport your pets. Fifth, this option will reduce the risk of disease. You have to understand that being housed can make your animal sick as there is always a risk of infection, even if all the animals within that facility are properly vaccinated. Lastly, hiring a pet sitter will not only allow you to have someone to care for your pet, but also someone to care for your house while you are not around.

Disadvantages: If you choose the wrong person to take care of both your home and your pet, you could be exposing your property to theft. To prevent this from happening, be sure to hire someone you trust, perhaps a trusted relative, cousin, or friend. Also, hiring a pet sitter can be expensive compared to the second option.

Using a shipping facility

Pros: Surely your pet won’t feel lonely as the facility caters to other pets. The most important thing is that your pet will receive 24-hour care. Usually, a boarding center has someone available 24 hours a day. In case your pet needs immediate attention, this may be your best option.

Disadvantages: This option could cause stress and anxiety for your pet, since they will be with people they do not know. Other than that, you will temporarily live in an unknown environment. And when your pet is stressed, there’s a greater chance that he won’t eat, especially if the facility gives him a different food. In some cases, you can bring your pet’s food with you so that the center can feed you similar food.

When choosing which of these options to opt for, you have to weigh the pros and cons. More information mentioned here.