The holiday season is almost upon us, but for those with pets there are a few extra things to organise before you can go away: who will be taking care of your furry friends? Boarding kennels are a good option; your pets will be safely confined and have regular attention. Your pet will require up-to-date vaccinations to stay at commercial boarding facilities.
Unfortunately, most kennels require advance bookings for the busy Christmas-season with most booked out by August. Keep this in mind if you need to make last-minute plans. Also, boarding kennels might not be suitable if your pet is easily stressed by other animals or strange environments. If you decide to leave your pets at home, and don’t have a trusted friend or neighbour to help, a pet-sitting service might be appropriate.
The pet-sitter would visit your house daily to provide food, company and enrichment. Some pets are stressed by changes in their routine so it’s important to keep an eye on them to ensure they are eating, drinking, toileting and are otherwise okay in your absence. Still, you might prefer to holiday with your pets. There are lots of hotels, home-stays and camping sites that are pet-friendly and can be easily found online. However, you might need to book in advance. If your lucky pup is holidaying with you, there are still a few extra things to plan.
Make sure that your dog’s vaccinations, worming and flea treatment is up to date. You might also need to arrange paralysis tick prevention, depending on your destination. Don’t forget to pack their leash, food, doggy bags, and water bowls. If your pet takes any prescription medication take enough to last the holiday.
Also, make sure your pet is safe while travelling in your car. Use an appropriate restraint, such as a harness or a crate. Your pet should be able to sit or lie down in a natural position while restrained. Never leave your dog unattended in a car. Dogs can die very quickly from heat stress, even in mild weather. Whether you are leaving or taking your pets with you, ensure your pets are microchipped and your contact details are correct on the microchip register so you can be contacted if need be. There are six microchip registers across Australia, so make sure the one
your pets are recorded on is recognised nationally. Also, attach an ID tag with your contact details to your pet’s collar. For more advice contact the RSPCA.