Pets are amazing and brighten our lives every day, well most days at least.
Unfortunately, when it comes time to go on a vacation, visit relatives over the holidays or leave your home for an extended period of time, you’re often left with an expensive bill for boarding your pet.
Luckily, Tori and I have been able to avoid boarding our dog, Daphne, when we go on vacations.
We’ve easily saved hundreds of dollars by coming up with alternative arrangements for our pets while we’re away from our home and can’t take our pets with us.
Have Family Watch Your Pets
If you have family that lives near by and loves your pets as much as you do, having your family watch your pets will often be the cheapest and easiest solution.
My parents live nearby and they love Daphne so they don’t mind watching her for a few days. It does, however, add more stress to their daily lives so having them watch our dog shouldn’t only benefit us.
Next time your family member goes out of town you can offer to take care of their pets for them. This way, both parties involved get a benefit out of the arrangement and everyone saves money.
Of course, if they don’t have pets, you may want to slip them some cash for their troubles or buy them a souvenir from your vacation.
Unfortunately, not everyone has family that lives nearby, but there are many other options for cheaper pet care besides your family members.
Arrange For A Pet Watching Swap With Friends
Just because you aren’t related to your friends by blood doesn’t mean that they don’t love your pets, too!
Like with family, you can arrange a pet watching swap with a friend that has pets. After all, they might need someone to watch their pets when they go out of town, too.
If your friends don’t have pets, maybe one of your friends wouldn’t mind getting out of their home for a few days. They could at your place while you’re gone and watch your pets at the same time.
It wouldn’t hurt to bribe them with a little extra spending cash for their troubles.
Employ The Neighborhood Child Entrepreneur
When I was a kid I was quite the little entrepreneur. Pet sitting was one of the many services I offered.
Looking back on it, I’m a little surprised that people trusted me with their animals simply because I left a flyer in their mailbox, but my rates easily beat any boarding options!
Of course, my neighbors were also aware that my parents would be supervising me to make sure I didn’t forget to feed or let the animals out. You may have a neighborhood entrepreneur that is willing to do the same thing.
Just make sure to check with their parents to make sure that they’ll be watching to make sure you’re animals are well cared for.
These three solutions can save you a ton of cash if you have a pet that needs to be taken care of while you’re out of town. I’ve personally been through all three experiences and my pets have been fine every time. Another plus is Daphne didn’t get sick from going to the kennel.
Have you ever boarded your pet and been shocked by the bills? Have you tried one of the cheaper options that I’ve mentioned? Let me know what your experiences were and which option you prefer in the comments!
Lance Cothern, CPA holds a CPA license in Indiana. He’s a personal finance, debt and credit expert that writes professionally for top-tier publications including U.S. News & World Report, Forbes, Investopedia, Credit Karma, Business Insider and more.
Additionally, his expertise has been featured on Yahoo, MSN, USA Today, Reader’s Digest, The Huffington Post, Fast Company, Kiplinger, Reuters, CNBC and more.
Lance is the founder of Money Manifesto. He started writing about money and helping people solve their financial problems in 2012. You can read more about him and find links to his other work and media mentions here.
David Chen
Tuesday 15th of November 2016
I don't have a pet currently, but my daughter constantly asks for one. I always say we can't get one because of the cost. Though reading posts such as this are always a bit more encouraging when it comes to trying to make that decision!
Lance Cothern
Thursday 17th of November 2016
There are always ways to make things work if you want them to :)
Christina @ Easy Financial Tips
Wednesday 13th of November 2013
I'll never board my pet again. It was at an expensive veterinarian's office, but our pup STILL came back dirty and shaken. Your pet has a personality. And just like how some kids aren't cut out for sleep away camp, don't be so quick to put your dog in a kennel when going on vacation.
Barbara Friedberg
Sunday 27th of October 2013
Hi Lance, We have neighbors who take care of our pets, or our daughter. It's always a tiny bit stressful to leave the "babies."
Lance Mlandm
Sunday 27th of October 2013
I totally understand. We're actually pet sitting for my parents right now!
Mrs. Accountability @ Out of Debt Again
Saturday 19th of October 2013
I have never boarded an animal, although I have friends who do regularly. I guess it also helps that I prefer staycations. :-)
Lance Mlandm
Monday 21st of October 2013
Staycations can definitely be awesome, especially if you live in an awesome place!
KK @ Student Debt Survivor
Monday 14th of October 2013
We've never boarded our dog and I never could (he's a rescue who lived for many months in a cage, so I couldn't bear to have him boarded in a cage-or not-with people he doesn't know). When we go somewhere he comes with us. If he can't come my friend Molly watches him in our house.
Lance Mlandm
Tuesday 15th of October 2013
That'd be rough for your dog I'm sure. I'm glad you don't put him through that!