Trying to get on holiday - what to do with animals...

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Smith123

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Hi Everyone

In the spring i want to go travelling to New Zealand - approx for 3 weeks - 1 month. I have 2 horses and a dog. My dog slipped a disk in his back last year so cannot go into kennels as he gets stiff and feels the cold - he also hates it.

I have a friend who can pop over every day but it is alot to ask her to stay at the house and look after the horses and dog as she works part time...

What do you all do? Is there a company in North Yorkshire who comes and house sits - i feel wierd having somebody live in my house but i really want to get away! Also worried about the expence of having a sitter!!

What do you all do with your pets when you go on holiday?

thanks
 
That's a tough one... Next door neighbors feed the cat and the dogs go into kennels (weren't looked after very well last time). Now looking into homeborders or housesitters as the dogs are too energetic/young to stay with my grandparents.
 
You could try something like Animal Aunts - I would think they would probably be your best bet - used them years ago and they were very good (although a bit pricey).

I am struggling to find a groom to do my horses for a couple of hours a day at the moment so I can go and visit my family abroad - it is a nightmare! If my horses were at home I would give Animal Aunts a try, but they are at livery, so it isn't an option for me unfortunately.

Hope you manage to find someone to help and enjoy your holiday!
 
I put my horse in livery, which adds considerably to the cost of my holiday! There are freelance grooms around who will come in and feed horses and make sure they are OK, but probably wouldn't ride them unless they have ridden them before and know them well.

If I am only going to be away for a maximum of 3 nights I would use the local freelance, she is excellent and very reliable. I know she will cover horses for several weeks for some people.

Look in local tack/feed shops for adverts for local people. It is costly because you are asking them to look at the horses for 7 days a week. Maybe get 2 different people, 1 for weekday and 1 for the weekends.
 
I advertised for a house sitter and found a lovely local HHO member who lives near me. I asked her over for a coffee and told her exactly what I was looking for, she then went and had a think about it and worked out how much she wanted to charge, she then got back to me with the price and we agreed on the days/times etc. I was considering using an agency, but I feel more confident with someone local. Perhaps ask around and see, lots of people are often looking for a bit of extra cash so you might find someone on here who is local to you.

Perhaps we could start up a thread on here, where people who are available/happy to house/pet sit can register and say where they are based and what they can offer.
 
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Naggy said:
You could try something like Animal Aunts - I would think they would probably be your best bet - used them years ago and they were very good (although a bit pricey).

I am struggling to find a groom to do my horses for a couple of hours a day at the moment so I can go and visit my family abroad - it is a nightmare! If my horses were at home I would give Animal Aunts a try, but they are at livery, so it isn't an option for me unfortunately.

Hope you manage to find someone to help and enjoy your holiday!
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i second this-a neighbour uses Animal Aunts, they are excellent and care for any animal going, and very reliable. look them up on their website--good luck.
 
You could look for an agency that has 'host families' who will take your dog in to their home while you are away. I've done that a few times and it's worked really well. Most of the hosts are retired, active people who are used to looking after all types of dogs and those with medical issues. I'm down South but Barking Mad, Animals at Home & Petpals may have people in your area.

Animal Aunts are good but expensive. You'll be looking at £75 a day for dogcare & horses (I got a quote recently) + £7 a day food for sitter + vat + sitter travel costs so it's pricey for three weeks!

I put my horses on holiday livery @ £90 a week not ridden which includes food, bedding etc. maybe you could find grass holiday livery for less?
 
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