Leave pets in good hands while on vacation

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Hometown Life

By Amelia Skimin

When Jackie Prusak was 20, she boarded her dog at a kennel when she went on a vacation to California. She was uneasy about boarding the dog, so she had her mom check on him during while she was away. What her mom found nearly ruined Prusak's vacation; her dog was huddled in the corner of his cage, refusing to eat. When her mother tried to take him an article of Prusak's clothing with her scent on it, the kennel refused to give it to the dog.

When Prusak took her dog home, she found his personality had changed. He was no longer the happy collie he had been when she'd dropped him off.

Later, when she interviewed for a job at a kennel, she kept this experience in mind. When she saw how little interaction the dogs got with people, she knew the job wasn't for her.

"I was just appalled," she said.

Another thing that bothered her was the amount of time the dogs spent alone at night, when the staff had gone home — 12 hours, from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m.

"Anything can happen in 12 hours," she said.

Her kennel experiences, combined with her love of animals, led her start Creature Comforts 16 years ago.

Prusak welcomes animal boarders into her Howell home or provides at-home care for pets while their owners travel.

She can take up to 15 dogs at a time into her home, which includes a fenced-acre yard for dogs to run and play, as well a wading pool. Her space for cats and what she calls "kids' pets" (hamsters, gerbils, parakeets, etc.) is unlimited. She recommends making arrangements to have animals stay in her home two to four weeks in advance, but more time is better, especially during the spring and summer.

"As soon as (clients) start planning their trip, that's when they should start thinking of their animals," she said.

For people who would prefer their pets stay in a familiar environment, Prusak also makes home visits. She recommends three or four visits per day when owners are on vacation.

For many people, kennels provide a prime option for pet owners hoping to take a vacation. Before leaving a pet at a kennel, ask to take a tour first, though, to make sure it seems clean and well-staffed. Kennel quality can vary widely from kennel to kennel.

Megan Petethers, an employee at Roadside Veterinary Clinic in Highland, said anxiety is common is among pet owners about to leave their pets for an extended stay. To combat this anxiety, she said she frequently offers to take owners around the facility to get a feel of where their pet will be staying.

To stay at a kennel, dogs are required to have all their vaccinations.

At Roadside, each dog is kept in its own area, appropriately sized for the dog. Bigger dogs receive more room with larger runs.

Whatever you decide to do with your pet while on vacation, knowledge is key. Don't be afraid to ask questions of the people you're entrusting with your pet. By making the right decision, hopefully your pet will have as great a vacation as you.