Disclaimer: This is a sponsored guest post from Rover.com. This sponsored post is really coming at a great time because I was just thinking about how I could share with you about how to find a pet sitter especially with the new policy allowing dogs at select Walt Disney Resorts. As always, I only recommend products and services I would use myself.
Written by Greer Grenley, a Rover.com community member. Rover.com is the nation’s largest online network of 5-star pet sitters and dog walkers. It is available via the web, as well as Android and iOS app.
A Disney vacation is great for all ages and occasions. Whether you’re on your honeymoon or taking your young ones for the first time, you’ll find something fun to do. You don’t want to spoil the magic by having to worry about what to do with your pet, but luckily there are lots of options.
Pet Care Options During Your Disney Vacation
If you’re looking for a pet sitter, Rover.com is a great resource. You can read through sitter profiles and choose the service you’re interested in. All sitters go through extensive background checks so you know your loved one is safe in their hands.
There are a lot of other ways to find ideal pet sitters, including at the Disney resorts.
If you decide to bring your dog with you on vacation, there are plenty of dog-friendly hotels. This past October even Disney started a new pilot program allowing dogs in four resorts but not in the parks, Art of Animation, Port Orleans Riverside, Yacht Club, and the cabins at Fort Wilderness with an additional $50-$75/night pet cleaning fee. While there are no in-room services available at this time, Best Friends Pet Care does provide services like doggie daycare at its nearby facility on Disney property.
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Best Friends Pet Care offers daycare and multiple night stays. It can accommodate up to 300 dogs, cats, and small pets. Dogs get multiple walks a day depending on the package you purchase, and cats get two or four-story condos. They’ll also watch small pets for you as long as you provide your own enclosure. Rates are based on the size of the cage. It’s important to note that all pets require written proof from your vet that they’re up to date on their vaccines.
A more budget-friendly option would be to have someone could to your resort room. If you’re interested in having a sitter come to your hotel room to take your dog for a walk, or hang out, this is an option! Some sitters on Rover will offer this service; when contacting sitters in the area, express this need to gauge interest and get the logistics settled for the arrangement.
Tips for Choosing a Pet Sitter During Your Disney Vacation
If these accommodations seem too much stress for your animal, there are plenty of other sitting situations.
If you decide to leave your pet at home, there are things to keep in mind when looking for a sitter.
Get Recommendations
A good place to start is your vet – see if they have recommendations on somebody. You can also ask friends or relatives that you trust. If you do find a sitter who you don’t know, it’s important to have a meet-and-greet before either of you commit to their services. If you have a dog, meet the potential sitter somewhere neutral like a dog park so you can see how they get along with each other. If that goes well, have a follow-up meeting at either your residence or theirs, depending on where your dog would be staying.
Decide what services you need
If you have a cat, do you want the sitter to come in and change their litter boxes and then be on their way, or do you want them to socialize with your cats? Do you want them to housesit and stay overnight or just come during the day?
If you have a dog, do you want it to stay at somebody’s house that has other animals to play with, or would it rather be the sole dog of the house? Do you need somebody to administer medication? Is your dog house-trained? Make sure you’re transparent with the sitter on your and your animal’s needs so that they can provide the best care possible.
Disney vacations should be stress-free, and you’ll feel comfortable exploring all it has to offer if you know your animal is cared for. Just research and decide what you want, and let the Disney magic happen.