Pet vacation or a staycation

We are in the fi nal quadrant of the year and the festive holidays are now in sight. This begs the question: travel with your beloved pets, have a staycation or travel without them?

By Keshvi Nair, NSPCA

It will always be fi rst prize to be in a situation that allows you and your pets to remain together, and, thankfully, in today’s day and age it is possible to travel with your furry companions.

One thing for certain is that there really is no excuse for leaving your pets completely home alone for days on end. Here are a few tips on going away, staying with your pets or traveling with them for the holidays.

Staying home with your pets

The benefi t of staying home with your pets is that your animal will not be at risk of having to adjust to travelling and the new environment of your holiday home. Spending the holidays at home gives you ample time to share with your furry companion, in the comfort of his or her own territory.

Over holidays such as Halloween, Guy Fawkes, Diwali, Christmas, New Year, etc. where fi reworks are

usually set off , you are at a further advantage in being able to provide your pet with the comfort they need. The surroundings are familiar for the animal so they can fi nd safe hiding places or be close to you when they are scared, and, if there is an emergency you know where your local veterinarian is.

Travelling with your pets

If you are unable to stay home with your pets for the holidays, perhaps you should consider taking them on holiday with you. It could be a lot of fun to be able to share special moments and create memories with your furry companion over the holidays. It also gives you the benefi t of enjoying a holiday away from home without having to stress about leaving your companion behind. Some have found that travelling with their companions is actually cheaper than boarding or paying a good quality pet sitter.

Going away without your pets

If you are in the absolute worst possible scenario, where you cannot stay home and you cannot take your companions with you for whatever reason, then we have these tips.

• Never leave your pet home alone for extended periods of time. There should always be someone to check daily that your animal is safe and that the animal has access to clean water, food and shelter.

Dangerous areas, such as the pool, should be cordoned off . • It is better to leave your pet at home and have someone that you know and trust personally to stay in and watch over your companion. It is benefi cial if the pet is familiar with this person (i.e. someone who visits your

It could be a lot of fun to be able to share special moments and create memories with your furry companion over the holidays.

home often) and is someone who genuinely loves and cares for the wellbeing of the animal. • If you are dropping your pet off at said person’s house for pet sitting, packing familiar items such as blankets and toys may provide comfort for your pet in the new and temporary setting.

Make sure if there are other animals at the property, that they are compatible with your pet. • Dogs and cats are not the only pets that people have. Some people have rodents, farm animals or reptiles – if you are in this category, ensure that that the person you are leaving

to care for your pets has the necessary knowledge to look after that specifi c animal. • If you cannot fi nd a trustworthy person to pet sit your companions, you may want to consider boarding. If you board the animal, ensure that you have assessed the boarding facility well before your holiday time. Make sure the facility is in line with animal welfare standards and get a good sense of whether the staff there will truly take care of your pet in your absence. Your pets’ vaccines should be up to date before you place them into boarding as well.

A few tips to consider:

• Look for accommodation that allows pets to stay on the premises with you. • Enquire if there are other pets on the property. Some animals are not always compatible with others. Ensure these animals will be kept separately from yours or that all the animals are compatible with each other. • Pack a few familiar items to help your pet adjust to the holiday house. These could include toys or blankets. • Go for a test drive with your pet to determine how your pet will react to being in the car for extended periods of time. • View your route beforehand and try to locate pit stops to provide potty breaks for your companion, or just to stretch a little. • Ensure all medication and food is packed well before hand to ensure nothing is left behind accidentally. • Ensure that your pet is microchipped and has a collar or some form of identifi cation with your details on it. This is to ensure that if there are any mishaps and your companion jets off into unknown areas, someone will be able to contact you. • It would be wise to go to the vet before travelling, especially for those who don’t do well in cars or who fright easily. A vet should be able to give you the green light for travel, and add any additional medication to make the trip easier if necessary.