There are many things that have to be taken care of before you can go on a holiday. One important thing to remember is to make sure you find reliable care for your pets. There are several different choices that can be made. You could put your pet in a kennel or cattery. You can have a friend or relative watch your pets. You can hire a professional pet sitter. Another option may even be to take your pet on holiday with you.

The most important thing to remember is the welfare of your pet. You have to consider where and with whom they will feel most comfortable in your absence. Some animals handle change well and others have a hard time being taken out of their daily routine. The option you choose will also depend on how long you plan on being away.

The ideal scenario is to have someone that you trust stay at your home with your pets when you are on holiday. There are also professional pet sitters who offer a variety of services. There are many reputable companies that have trained professionals who are CRB-checked and specialise in pet sitting.

Pet sitters will take care of your pets according to your specifications. They will stay in your home whilst you are away, or may offer one or more daily visits to your home. They will care for your pets, take them on walks, feed them and groom them. Good pet-sitters will also water your plants, pick up your mail and open and close your curtains for you so that it does not appear that your house is empty. There are also companies that specialise in giving personal care to your pets in their own homes. They will take your dog or cat into their homes and care for them in your absence, often in the company of other pets – a good option if your pet dog or cat is sociable and would enjoy the companionship of other animals, but not so good if your pet is used to being king of the hill, so to speak.

Depending on friends or neighbours to take care of your pets might seem like the ideal arrangement; but sometimes people get involved in other things and unforseen circumstances crop up in everyones’ lives. Since most people have busy lives they might not always remember, or only be able to give your pet a few minutes of their time. There is one thing you can do to avoid this from happening and to make sure your pet gets good care, and that is to treat this as a business arrangement instead of a favour.

If you set up a deal with your neighbours, friends or relatives to watch your pet for a certain amount of money you will definately get better results. People will do a better job when they are getting paid and not just doing a favour. You can set up the exact amount you will pay and what you expect to be done whilst you are on holiday.

If you want to hire a professional animal caregiver you will want to start planning and looking for someone in advance of your trip and not at the last minute. You want to make sure you have plenty of time to check out the person who is going to come into your home and take care of your animals. This is as big a decision as choosing a babysitter for your children – if you are not 100% comfortable with a pet-sitter then you need to continue searching. You can ask your vet, friends and neighbours for recommendations. You can also ask someone at your local rescue centre or a dog trainer if they know of anybody. You can also use the internet to find professional animal caregivers in your area.

Always look for companies that have had their staff checked with the Criminal Records Bureau and are fully insured. You want to ask the person you are considering for references and make sure you check them out yourself. You will want to find out if the person can take care of any special needs your pet may have, such as medication or other special requirements. Once you have done phone interviews and find the person you think might be the one; invite them to your home for an interview. By inviting the person to your home you get to observe how they interact with your pets. This way you can see how comfortable the person is with your pet and also how comfortable your pet is with the person. This is also the time to let the professional get a feel of your home and to show them where supplies are, etc. if you feel that they are suitable.

Once you have decided this is the right person to look after your pet you want to make sure you ask some basic questions. You want to know how often the sitter will visit or whether they could stay in the home. You also want to know what backup plans the person has in place in case they are not able to care for your pet. You will also want to make sure you leave an itinerary of your trip and phone numbers where you can be reached. Also make sure you put your vet’s number and emergency numbers and your pet insurance policy documents in a place that is easy to get to.

If you can’t leave your pet at home for any reason, and if taking pets on holiday is not an option for you either, you will have to find a good kennel or cattery that will take good care of your pets whilst you are on holiday. Follow the same steps for this as you would when looking for a pet sitter. You will want to find out if the boarding place is insured, licensed and bonded. After you have made some initial calls and narrowed down your choices; you will then want to visit the establishments in person. You might also want to see if your vet office provides boarding services. Take some time to check out the facilities, ask lots of questions and visit the existing boarders to make sure you will be comfortable leaving your own pet there.

Most pets are more comfortable in their own homes while their owners are away, and can become very stressed when put in a new environment. By planning ahead you will be able to find the best solution for your pet whilst you are gone. That way you will be able to relax and enjoy your holiday and not be worried about your animals.

Though caring for a loved one in need can be one of the most rewarding experiences of your life, it can also be one of the most challenging. That is certainly the case for those who seek help from Synergy HomeCare of Texas. As a leader in the assisted living industry – from senior services and respite care, to personal care and companionship – Synergy has seen firsthand how in home care can take a devastating toll on primary caregivers.

If you are a primary caregiver, do yourself and your loved ones a favor. Follow these 10 ways that you can take better care of yourself:

1. Ask for help. Much of the stress associated with care giving stems from the fear that you’re not doing all you can to help, or that what you are doing is wrong. So the more help you can get from a professional caregiver through an organization like Synergy, the easier – and more rewarding – your own care giving responsibilities will be.

2. Give yourself a break. When you devote most of your time to the care of someone else, it’s easy to forget yourself. In fact, it’s the most common mistake among primary caregivers – sacrificing your own needs in order to meet someone else’s. Inevitably, burnout sets in. Not only do you suffer the consequences, but the quality of care you’re providing suffers too. So it is absolutely essential that you set aside time each day to address your own physical, mental and emotional needs. Respite care can be arranged through an organization like Synergy so that a trusted caregiver can be with your loved one while you are away.

3. Find a support system. Whether it’s a formal support group for primary caregivers, or an informal group of friends and family, you need people to talk with about how you’re feeling. Formal support groups are often ideal as they are filled with people going through the same thing, meaning you need not censor yourself for fear that they may not understand your feelings of guilt or resentment.

4. Get plenty of exercise. Not only is it a stress-reliever, but also an energizer. Incorporate three or four workouts into your weekly routine – be it walking, running or swimming laps in the pool – and you’ll find yourself feeling more balanced, relaxed and refreshed.

5. Eat healthy meals. You know how important nutrition is to the loved one you’re caring for. Well it’s equally important to you, as eating too little or settling for fatty fast foods will only leave you feeling unsatisfied and depleted. A balanced diet is critical to maintaining the level of energy you need to take care of your loved one and yourself.

6. Find a fun activity. When you’re caring for a loved one, simply surviving isn’t enough. You need to thrive – doing things you love instead of putting your life on hold. Whether it’s a hobby you’ve had for years, or something new you’ve always wanted to try, find something to do that’s creative, rewarding and fun.

7. Organize your priorities. Just because you’re the primary caregiver of a loved one should in no way imply that everything else in your life must take a backseat. On the contrary, your job, finances, spouse and children need and deserve your attention too.

8. Learn to manage your stress. Physically, mentally and emotionally, stress can take its toll, manifesting itself through a wide range of symptoms, including headache, back pain, sleeping problems, anxiety, mood swings, overeating, under eating, excessive drinking and social withdrawal. To prevent or alleviate symptoms of stress, incorporate relaxing activities into your life, be it a hot bath, long walk, good book, meditation or massage.

9. Watch for signs of depression. Far too common among caregivers, depression can be a debilitating condition that affects every aspect of your life. Signs of depression may include those associated with stress, as well as feelings of hopelessness and self-loathing, and thoughts of suicide. So watch for these signs and, if you suspect you are depressed, seek help immediately – if not from a professional therapist, then from a support group or trusted loved one.

Stop feeling guilty. No matter how hard you try, you cannot do everything. And that’s okay, or at least it should be. Unfortunately, primary caregivers often beat themselves up for not being perfect, further compounding the stress that can lead to depression and physical illness.

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