Many people have a love for animals, but those looking for work in the humane field need more. They need experience, education, and a whole lot of patience.While caring for a pet can be difficult for people with HIV/AIDS or other immunocompromising conditions, animal companionship can also be beneficial for these individuals.
Need to go out of town? A boarding kennel can give your pet quality care—and can give you peace of mind. Before loading Fido or Fluffy into the car and driving over to the nearest kennel, though, it's important to find the right kennel and prepare your pet for boarding.
Your pet depends on you to take good care of her—even when you have to be out of town.
Friends and neighbors may not have the experience or time to properly look after your pet, particularly for longer trips. So next time you have to leave your pet behind for a while, leave pet care to the professionals, such as a pet sitter or boarding kennel.
A facility specializing in care and overnight boarding allows your pet to:
- avoid the stress of a long car or airplane ride to your destination
- stay where he's welcome (unlike many hotels)
- receive more attention and supervision than he would if home alone most of the day
- be monitored by staff trained to spot health problems
- be secure in a kennel designed to foil canine and feline escape artists.
- the stress related to staying in an unfamiliar environment
- the proximity to other pets, who may expose your pet to health problems
- the difficulty of finding a kennel that accepts pets other than dogs and cats
- the inconvenience of the drive over, which can be especially hard on a pet easily stressed by car travel.
Training Center offers a variety of group, private or while-boarded obedience training programs for pooches of all ages. From Puppy Kindergarten to advanced positive training, the experienced instructors will show you that it's never too late to teach your dog new tricks.
- A live-in sitter who comes to your house -- This is probably the most ideal option as it involves the lowest amount of stress on your pet. Your pet remains in his or her element. Professional pet sitters are far more eager than friends and acquaintances to cater to your pet's exceptional needs (which is to say, they are far more eager to cater to your sometimes chimerical sense of what your pet's exceptional needs are).
A live-in sitter who brings your pet to his or her house -- This is a fine alternative if the sitter is someone your pet knows well or if your sitter has a pet that is chummy with your pet (or seems willing to get chummy).
A walker/feeder -- This is a person who comes into your house once or twice a day to feed, water and walk your pet. Once again, it can be an acquaintance or a pro. This is usually cheaper than the live-in option.
A veterinarian's kennel -- Most veterinarians also provide kennel space for boarding. A veterinarian's kennel is a place for sick animals as well as healthy ones, of course. It is vital that you discuss with the vet what procedures he or she has devised for keeping healthy pets healthy in an atmosphere such as this. Find out how much time, if any, your pet will be allowed out of his or her primary enclosure each day. Some veterinarians have indoor runs, some have outdoor runs, and some have no runs at all. A run is a pen where a pet can move around a bit. Keep in mind that an austere kennel in a busy veterinary office can be a very stressful atmosphere. However, having an animal doctor on site has undeniable advantages.
Pet motels, hotels or resorts -- These run the gamut from kennels that are not much more elaborate than the sort one finds in most veterinary offices to pet resorts that specialize in services comparable to what is offered to humans in five star hotels. At a luxury hotel or resort, your pet may be given the opportunity to socialize with other pets, watch TV, get massaged, and sleep on real couches or beds.
Every breed of dog or cat has their own individual grooming and brushing needs, and there are dozens of types of brushes available—but they each have a specific purpose. Contestants were judged on their ability to use the right brush for the right task. After acing the sheep shear using clippers, Will learned a VIP lesson, which he almost went home for (and in my mind, should have): Never use a slicker, pin, or wire brush to untangle mats on a dog's underside! He caused his Bearded Collie to yelp repeatedly after brushing out mats on the dog's private parts. OUCH!
The proper way to detangle hair or fur on a dog's belly is to use lots of conditioner, slowly parting the mats with your fingers and a comb or other appropriate grooming tool. When grooming a cat, the most important thing is to stay calm and relaxed. Unlike dogs, cats are more independent-minded, and they aren't interested in pleasing you or obtaining your praise. You only get one shot to gain a cat's respect, so slow and steady wins the race. Even the gentler, more obvious animal lovers on the show—including self-professed crazy cat lady Jessica—were bitten and scratched by the frenzied felines. In the words of the show's producers, "Meowza!"
What pet care you choose is largely dependent on your relationship with your pet and how much money you are willing to spend. The two considerations are not mutually exclusive. Some people feel their pets do not warrant fancy treatment and some people dress their dogs in clothes. Most people economize, but some people are not willing to economize on their pet.
