Plan for pets before vacation time

By Marty Metzger
North Forty News

The mere sight of suitcases can turn even the mellowest pet into a deranged dunce. But prevacation education and thoughtful planning will make the separation trauma easier for four-legged folks that don't go along.

Animals can be left with a professional pet sitter, a friend or family member, or at a kennel. Cats seem to fare better in their own environs, although some are gregarious and bold enough to quickly adapt to temporary quarters. Most canines will probably do well in away-from-home lodging. The transition for either species, however, will be faster if a favorite toy, usual food, blanket and other creature comforts accompany the little camper. Be sure to provide any necessary meds, too.

Select an in-home sitter based on experience and recommendations. Sometimes "free" or "friend" help become expensive and woeful when things go awry. Pet escapes (sometimes ending in permanent loss), negligence-based accidents and more can occur.

One exasperated, returning vacationer found half a large bag of dry cat food mixed together with a bag of litter. Seems her friend sent her 16-year-old son as a proxy to care for the kitties. Friendship strained.

Not all casual arrangements go south, but when professional services are deemed best for the pet, several viable options exist.

Amanda Greenlee owns Big & Small, We Feed 'Em All. She cares for all species of farm animals (her specialty) and pets at owners' properties. While there, she'll also do some other chores, like watering plants, at no additional charge.

Greenlee said that good instructions, such as owner contact info, vet's phone number, type and amount of food, and usual time of feedings, assure a positive experience for animals.

She finds few behavioral problems, but deals with the occasional stress-caused hunger strike. Play and attention quickly resolve the difficulty. She said she's never had any real crisis in her five years of professional pet sitting. Keeping the routine unchanged is key. Greenlee even took one dog home with her to sleep in her bed because the owners always bunked with their pooch.

Poudre Valley Hospital and Greenlee have joined forces to provide a unique service. If a pet owner is hospitalized due to accident or sudden illness, the facility, at a patient's request, will call Greenlee. She will then care for their pet at home or, in the case of someone here on vacation, can take their animal to her place.

Boarding out can provide a pleasant vacation for pets while their people are on holiday. Northern Colorado Pet Resort at the Wellington Vet Clinic has been welcoming dogs and cats since November 2008.

Office Manager Connie Croak detailed the pet perks provided during stays: complimentary bath and nail trim; access to a play yard three times daily; complimentary health check by a vet tech upon admission; raised cots and bedding (or bring your own); food provided (or you bring). Cats receive a complimentary brushing, mat trim and exercise time in the cat room.

For safety of canine guests, dogs must have been de-wormed by a veterinarian within the previous 30 days because dogs share play yards. All boarded dogs and cats must be current on vaccinations (rabies, distemper/parvo, bordatella). Croak said the pet resort accepts pets with chronic medical conditions. They also offer long-term boarding for as long as contact with the owner continues. Space should be reserved up to one month in advance for peak times, including the Fourth of July, Christmas, spring break and weekends.

Jocey Pronko is a licensed vet tech who is board certified in emergency critical care and as a canine rehab assistant. She works in the Critical Care Unit at the Colorado State University Veterinary Teaching Hospital.

Pronko's Almost Home Medical Pet Boarding offers transitional care for pets recovering from surgery and those with chronic illnesses. Animals on multiple heart medications, with conditions that can change day to day, or that suffer from drugs' side effects, all benefit from Pronko's service, which is limited to her home. She can treat (including physical therapy and rehabilitation procedures) and admit to CSU, or will work with the pet's primary vet. The Veterinary Teaching Hospital refers most of Pronko's clients. However, other pets that would be more comfortable in a home environment with a caregiver qualified in intense medical situations are also welcome.

Whether an owner's time away from home is business, vacation or emergency, peace of mind about their pets is a good beginning to the journey.