by Jenna Obney

Created on: November 23, 2008

Ever since I was a little girl I've had a fondness for animals. Large or small, furry or scaly, I love them all. So when my next door neighbor asked me to watch her dog while she was away, I was in 13 year old heaven. That lead to a few more dog watching jobs, and by the time I was old enough for a real job, I already had a position waiting for me at the local vet. From there I moved onto a job at the humane society, as well as a part-time job at kennel that did boarding, training and grooming, and was owned by a Basenji breeder. On the side, I was still animal sitting for several people. I say animal sitting, because I have taken care of horses, donkeys, parrots, sheep, goats, dogs, cats, snakes, iguanas, you name it, I've probably pet-sat it.

Coming from someone who has worked the gamut of jobs in the animal care industry, I could very easily argue both sides of the pet sitter/boarding kennel debate. However, I would like to give you my honest opinion, and my own choices if ever I was to go somewhere without my animals.

When boarding your pet at a kennel, there are many pluses. Some kennels are at a veterinary hospital, or have a vet on call for emergencies. You can also check their references or get a referral from your own vet on which kennel would be the best. Some kennels offer playtimes or playmates for your pet, or training classes for the unruly pet. You know your pet will be safe and sound in a protected area, and that they will get the right amount of food, and be allowed to do their business at most any time of the day. You may even be able to schedule a grooming session before your return so your pet will come back to you fresh and clean and looking wonderful.

There are however, many minuses too. A kennel only has so many employees and the number of animals they care for on a daily basis almost always outnumbers the staff. If you are boarding your animal during a holiday or vacation week, there is a good chance that there will be lots of others doing the same thing. This leaves very little time for personal interaction between the staff and the animals. Not to say that most places try their best to make your pet as comfortable and happy as possible, but truly, would you be happy and comfortable in a new place not knowing how long or even why you are there?

A pet sitter often times comes to your home for an initial interview. You can see how they react with your pet, and how your pet reacts to them. Most people in the pet sitting business do it because

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