By Drew Mortier
Who can forget the first time they brought home that furry new addition to the family? This is not a story about designer wigs—rather, those beloved canines and felines providing companionship to folks all over Greater Tampa Bay (GTB). But pet owners need vacations too, leaving some to wonder, “What do I do with my dog, cat, or surprisingly emotive gerbil?”
Thankfully, GTB is peppered with stellar options for temporary pet care. Vacationing pet owners want to leave their companions in the hands of caring, professional and accountable staff. Here is what pet owners need to know before vacationing this summer, followed by a list of GTB’s most trustworthy places to drop off pets.
Pre-Vacation Precautions
How can pet owners prep for their vacation to ensure maximum animal safety? GGTB reached out to Eric Keaton, Chief Marketing Officer of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, and Jon VanNevel, Co-Owner at Tampa Veterinary Hospital. Keaton had a few things to say about preparedness when going out of town: “[It is] similar to hurricane preparedness for pets. Plan your vacation early and where your pets will go. Before heading out on your vacation make sure your pet’s shots, vaccinations and microchips are up to date. Whether you board your pets or leave them at home with friends, make sure they have your veterinarian’s information in case of an emergency.”
VanNevel emphasized the importance of personal inspection: “Before going on vacation and boarding your pet at a facility for the first time, it is important take a tour of the facility before scheduling your reservation. Even if the lobby or reception area looks and smells clean, be sure that the kennel areas also look and smell clean. If you smell overwhelming odors of feces or urine, it could mean the facility isn’t cleaning enough, or is cutting costs on disinfectants.”
Advantage Pet Center & Resort
If dogs could sweat, it would be no problem for Advantage – for pups, Advantage offers air-conditioned indoor runs with adjacent outdoor patios, ideal for summer vacationers. Meanwhile, cats get four-level “kitty condos,” which actually sounds nearly as fun as a human vacation.
Barks to Riches
Offering luxuries like baths, nail trims and overnight boarding suites, “Barks to Riches” (BtR) is one of GTB’s go-to choices for pups in need of a little TLC while owners are out of town. In Google Reviews, BtR yields plenty of glowing reports by happy pet owners.
Bay Paws
It might sound like a place where dogs in swimsuits run in slow motion, but Bay Paws is 2021’s winner of the Best Dog Daycare in St. Pete/Clearwater award. They are even staffed by pet CPR-certified trainers. Bay Paws is also a member of both the International Boarding and Pet Services Association, and The Dog Gurus.
Paws ‘n’ Rec
The pun-happy pet lovers at Paws ‘n’ Rec bill themselves as the “ultimutt” dog daycare and spa. Overnight boarding options include dog rooms of multiple sizes, 20+ day extended stays, bathing services and something called “Solo Adventures.” These latter services feature things like “Tail Time,” Cuddles and “Puppy Puzzles.”
Benjamin Biscuit Club
Taking a “Montessori” approach to pet care, Benjamin Biscuit Club (BBC) is a classy joint that keeps pups active with a daily routine. Most of the time enjoyed by dogs at BBC is outdoors, with nighttime spent inside for safety and comfort. Only friendly mutts are accepted for boarding due to heavy socialization between pets.
Puppy Manor
Bark once for luxury cage-free boarding, and twice for two acres of outdoor puppy play space. Puppy Manor provides group dog-etiquette learning, where pups can pick up good habits in a social setting. These guys even offer pickup/drop-off services for the especially busy pet owner.
Tampa Veterinary Hospital
Whom do pet owners trust when the doggy bag hits the fan? The trained medical professionals at Tampa Veterinary Hospital offer their own pet boarding services, reducing vacationing owners’ worries to practically zero. All potential boarders must be seen by a vet on site before they can stay, so be sure to schedule an appointment first.
