Skip the Kennel and Send Your Dog on Vacation Instead
The next time you book a vacation for yourself, you should reserve it for your dog as well.
My dog, Tucker, mistakenly thinks he’s human. All in all, he’s pretty decent behaving – as long as you don’t put him in your bedroom or drawer when friends come over to you, then he’ll bark because you obviously kicked him out of the party by accident. It’s a combination of features that made me hesitant to put him in a traditional kennel, so I relied on a constantly updated list of friends who watched him as I travel … until I discovered DogVacay. The app was recently merged with the similar Rover app and lets you essentially order your puppy for an Airbnb-like experience when you’re away.
It has been around for some time, but I still find myself offering it to my friends as an alternative to the nursery almost every week.
For me it was a lifesaver. While I have friends who would be happy to take him with them for the weekend, I was worried that I asked them too often. And then there’s the element of compensation. I’ve always paid friends, or bought a nice dinner or trip gifts for friends who refused cash, but there was always the element “Was that enough for this?”
With Rover, owners set their own prices, so you’ll always know that you are paying someone they think is fair to watch your dog and that they are willing to do so, not just reluctantly bail out a friend. You can also choose a spot for your furry friend based on your pet’s needs and character.
The profiles include photos of the hosts, their homes, and reviews from previous guests. You will also be able to read detailed information about their possible stay, such as how many walks they will take, whether other dogs will be around, and where they will sleep at night.
When Tucker was younger, I always wanted him to stay with a family with four children and a huge backyard in which he could play with them. Now that he’s older and prefers to spend his days napping, I found Richard, an elderly retired man. who seems to enjoy having a friend to watch TV for days.
All caregivers are screened by the service and pet insurance is included. So if Tucker breaks his leg or gets bitten by a bee while I’m not around, his nanny can take him to the vet without worrying about the cost. Most hosts also send you pictures of your furry ball while they stay with them, so you can see how much fun they have without you.
In San Francisco, prices usually range from $ 30 to $ 75 per night, which makes the service about the same as at the kennel, or cheaper, depending on where you usually hop on the dog. It’s totally worth it for me not to worry about being scared and alone in a cage while I travel, and know that he hangs out with his best friend instead, catching up with their Netflix.