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Most pet owners prefer to leave their cats at home instead of boarding them in a kennel.
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As the holiday season draws near and vacation plans are underway, pet owners also must secure arrangements for their cats. In a recent poll, about 82 percent of pet owners said in-home pet sitting is their preferred method of care, according to a survey conducted by pet-sitting company Fetch! Pet Care Inc.
Other preferred methods of care were pet-setting at sitter’s residence (13 percent); group daycare (5 percent) and kennel boarding (less than 1 percent).
With kennel boarding drawing the lowest numbers, respondents were questioned about prior kennel experiences. Almost 33 percent cited a “bad experience” boarding a pet, and 12 percent cited more than one bad experience.
Nearly half of pet owners surveyed said their biggest concern with kennel boarding was their pets’ emotional health, citing issues such as depression and separation anxiety. Approximately 20 percent were most concerned with their pets’ physical health due to the transmission of airborne diseases.
When respondents were asked about their favorable responses to in-home pet sitting, three out of four people said it was the preferred method of care because pets are able to maintain their normal daily routines in familiar surroundings. Other responses included no germ or virus exposure from other pets, personalized care and convenience.
The survey was conducted Oct. 19 through 29, 2007, and 1,133 pet owners were surveyed; 55.83 percent owned one or more dogs, 31.86 percent owned one or more cats and 12.31 percent owned one or more “other” animals, including fish, reptiles and farm animals.