The Types of Comrades We Encounter: Choosing the Right Pet Care While You’re Away

The Types of Comrades We Encounter: Choosing the Right Pet Care While You’re Away

Hi friends, Amber here 👋

After more than 40,000 pet care visits (yep—forty thousand!), we’ve met all kinds of “pet care comrades.” From professional kennels and training programs to neighbors, nieces, and that nice lady down the street—everyone means well, but not every option is created equal.

If you’re planning a trip or long work week and wondering what kind of care setup fits your pets best, here’s a breakdown of the different types of care out there, and what to keep in mind before handing over the leash or litter scoop.

🏢 Boarding Facilities vs. Kennels

Let’s start with the most traditional form of pet care: boarding.

Boarding facilities are businesses designed to house multiple pets at once. Think of them as hotels for animals—licensed, insured, and staffed for feeding, cleaning, and exercise.

A kennel, on the other hand, usually refers to the actual structure or environment within that facility (the space your pet stays in). So while every boarding facility has kennels, not every kennel is part of a professional boarding business.

Pros:

• 24/7 on-site supervision in most cases

• Structured feeding, cleaning, and playtime routines

• Good for social dogs who enjoy group environments

Cons:

• Loud and high-energy environments can be stressful for shy or senior pets

• Higher risk of exposure to illness (like kennel cough) due to shared spaces

• Less individualized attention

Veterinary Boarding

Some vet clinics offer boarding as a side service. This can be great for pets with medical needs since there’s trained staff nearby. However, it’s often more of a medical boarding setup—focused on safety, not playtime.

Pros:

• Immediate medical support

• Familiar vet team for your pet

Cons:

• Usually smaller, more sterile, and less enriching

• Limited human interaction outside of basic care

This option works best for pets recovering from surgery, with special medications, or who need daily medical observation.

🎓 Training + Boarding Programs

Some trainers offer “board and train” programs—essentially a mix of boarding and professional behavior work.

Pros:

• Great for behavior modification or structured training goals

• Immersive learning environment

Cons:

• Not ideal if your goal is just routine care

• Can be pricey, and progress depends heavily on follow-up work at home

🏠 People Who Board in Their Home

You might see local individuals offering to keep pets in their personal homes while you’re away. While some may be experienced animal lovers, this type of care is often unlicensed and uninsured and not legal in the county we live in without a kennel license ( which is not allowed in homes that are zoned residential typically)

That means if something happens—an injury, an escape, or even property damage—you may have no legal or financial protection.

And if the persons that are caring for the pets are family member or friend? Real talk—would another family member actually report them if something went wrong? Probably not.

It’s not that these folks don’t love animals—it’s that the structure and accountability simply aren’t there.

🐾 Friends, Family, Neighbors, and Kids

Ah yes, the classic go-to: “My neighbor’s teenager can stop by!”

There’s nothing wrong with this option in a pinch—but it’s important to weigh the risks.

Pros:

• Usually free or inexpensive

• Familiar faces for your pets

Cons:

• No training in animal behavior, emergencies, or home security

• No backup if something goes wrong or they forget a visit

• No insurance or bonding to protect your home or pet

• If they get injured at your house they can sue you and your home insurance

I’ve seen wonderful people in this category do their best, but life happens—cars break down, kids get sick, and sometimes pets simply don’t get the care they need.

📱 App-Based Pet Care (Rover, Wag, etc.)

This is one of the biggest new “comrades” in the pet care world—on-demand app platforms like Rover, Wag, and similar services.

These companies have made booking pet care easier than ever, but it’s important to understand what you’re really getting. When you book through an app, you’re essentially hiring an independent contractor who’s using that company’s platform—not an employee who’s been directly hired, trained, or supervised by the brand itself.

Pros:

• Quick booking and easy communication through the app

• Wide range of sitters and price options

• Built-in payment and review systems

Cons:

• The company doesn’t usually vet, train, or supervise caregivers beyond a basic background check

• No guaranteed backup if your sitter cancels or has an emergency

• Limited accountability—if something goes wrong, you’re dealing with customer service, not a local team that knows you and your pets

Think of it like the difference between ordering a ride from a rideshare app versus hiring a private driver. Both can get you where you’re going—but one has a consistent, insured team that knows your route, your schedule, and your standards.

🐕 Independent Professional Pet Sitters (Solo Operators)

Then there are the dedicated solo professionals—the one-person businesses who truly love what they do and often provide excellent, personalized care. Many start out with the best intentions and solid experience, and for some families, that close one-on-one relationship feels comforting.

But it’s important to understand that being a one-person operation means everything depends on that one person.
If they get sick, have car trouble, or experience a personal emergency, there’s usually no formal backup system. Visits may be delayed—or worse, missed entirely—and sometimes clients aren’t notified until after the fact.

Pros:

• You know exactly who’s in your home and caring for your pets

• Can build a close, personal relationship

• Often flexible and hands-on

Cons:

• No guaranteed emergency coverage if sick, in car accident, etc

• No one else may know your pets need care if they are unable to talk/are hurt

• May lack business insurance, bonding, or personal vetting processes ( did the do a background screen on themselves?)

• Harder to reach during high-volume holiday seasons or last-minute needs

• Takes personal trips/vacations- not available

Solo sitters can be wonderful—but make sure to ask the right questions: Who is your backup? Are you insured? How do you handle emergencies?
The answers will tell you a lot about how secure your pet’s care really is.

🦮 Professional Pet Sitting Team

Now let’s talk about what we do at Atta Boy!

Professional pet sitting means your pets stay comfortably at home while trained caregivers visit them on a schedule.
But even in this category, there’s a big difference between solo sitters and team-based businesses like ours.

Team Approach (like ours):

• Your pet’s profile, schedule, and visit notes are managed through an internal system.

• Every sitter is background checked, insured, and trained.

• If your scheduled sitter is unavailable, a teammate can step in seamlessly—no skipped visits, no stress.

• Photos, GPS check-ins, and digital reports ensure transparency and quality every single time.

When it comes to reliability and accountability, this model keeps both your pets and our team protected.

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❤️ Finding Your Fit

At the end of the day, every pet and every family is different. Some pets thrive in busy boarding facilities, while others need the peace and familiarity of their own home.
The key is to ask the right questions:

• Are they licensed and insured?

• Who is watching my pet if something happens?

• Is there a backup plan?

• How will I know my pet is safe and happy?

If you can answer all those confidently—you’ve found your comrade.

And if you’re local to Lakeland, Bartow, or Mulberry, our team at Atta Boy! Animal Care would be honored to be yours. 💚

attaboyanimalcare.com