If the owner does not want to send the pet to foster care, foster homes are a good choice. Generally speaking, foster homes only accept one pet at a time. Pets can get more attention and care in such an environment, reducing the stress caused by unfamiliar environments. The disadvantage is that good foster homes are rare and may be far away, and because personalized services are provided, the cost of foster homes may be higher. The basic foster care fee is $25-$50 per day for dogs and $15-$30 per day for cats. The price will be affected by the type of pet and the region.

On some pet fostering and pet service platforms, you can find suitable pet foster homes, such as Rover and PetBacker. On these two platforms, you can search for nearby foster homes and view their detailed information and reviews. You can also find it on social media and join some Facebook pet fostering groups, which may post information about foster homes.

Pet boarding

Pet boarding agencies are places that provide temporary accommodation and care for pets and allow them to stay overnight. The facilities are usually complete, with professionals taking care of the pets' daily lives and providing various additional services such as bathing, grooming, training, etc. Pets in such agencies generally live with other boarding pets in an environment suitable for pets to adapt to social environments. The services of such agencies are generally more mature, with professional facilities and equipment, and can provide comprehensive care. Some boarding agencies will provide full monitoring, which is convenient for pet owners to check at any time. The basic boarding fee is about US$30-75 per day for dogs and US$20-40 per day for cats. Additional services such as training, bathing, grooming, etc. are provided at an additional charge to meet the diverse needs of pets.

To find a suitable boarding agency for your pet, you can also search through online agencies Rover and PetBacker, where you can find many certified boarding agencies, check their reviews and ratings, and book directly. Pet boarding services are also available at PetSmart, a pet hotel chain with many branches, and you can find and book the nearest boarding agency on its website. Many veterinary clinics and pet stores have partnered with foster care agencies or can recommend reliable services. Ask them if they have any recommendations.

Dog Day Care Centers

Unlike pet foster care agencies, pet day care centers provide day care and entertainment for pets, especially for those pets that need social interaction and activities. Pet owners can send their pets to day care centers on weekdays or when they go out, and pick them up in the evening.

Pet day care centers provide basic food and rest, as well as training, education, and entertainment activities, similar to human kindergartens. Staff will arrange interactions and play between pets to promote social skills, provide a variety of toys for pets to play, and some day care centers have dog pools for pets to swim and exercise. In addition, there are professional trainers to help pets master basic commands and behavioral norms to help pets better adapt to social environments. Day care centers usually provide simple health checks, are equipped with first aid equipment and professionals, so the health of pets can be guaranteed to a certain extent.

Pet day care centers mainly serve dogs, and prices vary depending on the area, services provided, pet size, and special needs. Basic day care costs are about $20-35 per day for small dogs and $30-50 per day for large dogs.

Pet Sitters

A pet sitter is a professional or part-time worker who provides personalized pet care, usually in the pet owner's home. Pet sitter services include feeding, walking, cleaning, entertainment and medical care, suitable for pet owners who are traveling, working or need temporary care. Pet sitters are not limited to cats and dogs, but can also take care of many uncommon pets. The price of personalized services is also relatively high, about $15/15 minutes, depending on the time of the door and the content of the service.

Pet sitters can keep pets well cared for in a familiar environment and avoid anxiety, but strangers may pose a hidden danger to family safety. Before hiring a pet sitter, it is best to conduct a brief interview, ask about their experience and service content, or conduct a short trial service to observe the pet's reaction to the sitter and the quality of the sitter's service.

Frequently Asked Questions and Answers about Pet Boarding

Preparation before pet foster care

Vaccination: Make sure your pet has received all necessary vaccinations and bring vaccination records for inspection.

Health check: Perform a health check before foster care and deal with any problems in a timely manner.

Personal items: Bring familiar toys and food to help your pet adapt to the new environment faster

What to do if you are worried about your pet during foster care

Qualified pet foster care agencies will provide videos or phone calls, and pet owners can contact the agency at any time to understand the situation of their pets.

Regular updates: Request foster care agencies to provide regular updates of pet photos and videos.

Phone or video contact: Contact the foster care agency regularly by phone or video to understand the adaptation of the pet.

Emergency contact information: Provide emergency contact information to ensure that you can be contacted immediately when needed.

Lovely pets provide emotional value and spiritual comfort for international students abroad. When you cannot take care of them in person, by choosing a suitable foster care agency, you can ensure that they are well taken care of in special circumstances.