Three week holiday concerns...

[h.h.lovecraft]

Hi everyone! I've read the guides on holiday absence and travel, but I figured I would ask for advice about my specific situation.

So I am originally from the US, but I live in Germany as my husband is German. We don't really travel often, however we do like to fly to the US once in a while to visit my family and hometown. We like to spend as much time as possible there since we don't go often. Our usual vacation time is about 3 weeks, and I'm having a hard time figuring out how this would work with the pigs. I don't know anyone who has experience or knowledge to care for guinea pigs, which worries me. Ideally, someone would come to my house twice a day to give them pellets/hay in the morning and veggies/hay at night since that's their usual schedule, plus they would have to clean the cage, etc, just all the usual maintenance.

I don't know anyone in my neighborhood besides my one set of direct neighbors who are rude and hate animals, so that's not an option. I also can't think of any friends of mine who could easily get to my house every day. The only relatives that live close by are my husband's parents. I think my husband's mom would be open to it, especially if we would bring the girls to her house (quiet with no pets), however she knows nothing about guinea pigs and I know it would be a lot to ask of her. There is also another big issue with this idea, which I will explain at the end.

I know professional pet sitters would be an option. I think in theory this would be the most practical for everyone, but there are some issues I have. First, I am assuming they will be the most expensive and having someone come so often for so long might get really bad cost wise. I will pay if I have to, but it's obviously not ideal. The main issue though is that the thought of having a stranger come to my house puts me off a bit. I think this also has to do with the fact that we have essentially no locking doors in our house so I couldn't really lock away any rooms for piece of mind. I know this is me being paranoid, but it still makes me uncomfortable.

I haven't looked into it yet, but there has to be some place that does guinea pig boarding in my area I'm sure. The issue I have with that is I'm not sure how well the piggies would do in a strange environment for 3 weeks. I would really ideally like to keep them at home.

I do put my piggies above all else and if I can't find a solution, I guess I just can't go on vacation for so long. The thought of leaving them for such a big amount of time pains me a bit as well lol. However, the problem is that I think we will essentially "have" to go to the US soon. My husbands parents have decided that they want to visit the US and see where I grew up. They also want to meet my parents since they have never met before. The thing is my in-laws English is not great and my parents dont know German. My parents feel awkward about it and don't really want to meet my in-laws by themselves. Husband and I would have to be there to translate. I also feel a really heavy moral obligation to go because it feels wrong if I wouldn't, especially since they only plan to visit the US this one time. Apparently they want to go next summer which I'm skeptical about because covid is still a thing and all, but that's a different issue.

I know it's a bit far away, but I am already stressing about it. Like I said earlier, my mother in law is the only person I can think of who would in theory care for my pigs for so long usually, but she obviously couldn't if we'd all go to the US together. If I would manage to find another person, I'm not sure how it would work. Asking to come twice a day is a lot, but I'm not sure how the food situation would work with just one visit. I just don't know what the best option would be and would love to hear some input. Thanks for reading, I know it got a bit long lol.

 

[Viennese Furbabies]

It's always hard to leave the piggies when going away. I can understand that you don't want someone strange coming to your home (I wouldn't either). I feel more comfortable about my piggies going to someone who cares for them than have them staying at home.
They cope with the change of scenary without problems and they also enjoy coming home again.
But apart from the fact that no one has to come to my flat I'm really more comfortable about going away when I know the piggies are not home alone nearly all the time.

Since your starting looking for a 'pet sitter' early - that's great because many people don't think about it till a short time before actually going away - I would ask around. Do you have a vet you trust? Sometimes vets offer holliday service (at least in Austria). Are there any gp rescues where you live? Rescues usually know their way around. Some take in holliday boarders or they might know someone who does. The same goes for some breeders.
There is a big gp club in Germany. Maybe they can help with Information?
Meerschweinchenfreunde Bundesverband Deutschland e.V.
(But I don't know anyone personally there, so I hope they are okay.)

 

[Swissgreys]

I travel a lot and have had to leave the piggies for as long as a month in the past.
I have always used the services of a professional pet sitter as we have otehr pets, and this is the easiest and least stressful option for everyone., although in honestly it is also very costly.

I understand your concerns about having a stranger in your house, but in reality my piggies are probably one of my most precious 'possessions' so if I trust her with them, then I am not really worried about other stuff.
I do think the best way to start is to approach several pet sitters (assuming you have some who are local to you) and arrange to meet with them and discuss your needs. You will quickly get a feel for whether you can trust them or not.
And believe me, they are busy people who really want to be in and out - they do their job and leave to go to the next client - they don't have the time or interest to be going through your house and looking at things!

@Viennese Furbabies has several good suggestions - your vet is always a fantastic starting place, and many often have a notice board where you could place a notice and ask if anyone offers boarding in your local area. My vet actually put me in contact with a local guinea pig owner who was looking for someone to care for her piggies, and I was happy to help out.

And form a purely personal perspective go not he trip.
You are blessed to have In-laws who want to invest the time and money in seeing where you grew up and meet your family.
It will be a wonderful experience for everyone - I can honestly say that despite some ups and downs and stress I have never regretted a single trip I have taken, and given the uncertainty in life right now you should do these things while you still can.
It sounds like you have a lovely family.

 

[Black piggies]

That'll be great to see your homeland and relatives again.
I've not gone away for long since having piggies. I've used a pet sitter for twice daily visits, which I don't feel costs too much, or Mum/parents are staying at mine to look after my son anyway.
If your mother in law was having the piggies, you could book a pet sitter to just do the cage clean outs / give advice if she needs it, share the responsibility.
When I was recently going away and had a palliative piggy, I asked the head vet nurse at the local vets to do home visits and she agreed. Vet nurses could be an option if you phone round.
I don't like a stranger coming in either, one option is to set up piggy cam, which several forum members have, and tell a pet sitter you have it, and that would put off anyone up to no good.

 

[LMPigs]

Our boys go to the "guinea pig hotel" (boarding) when we travel. Before we left them there the first time we visited to have a look (although this may be more difficult with covid) and they explained their daily routine for the pigs, we discussed what bedding they use, food etc. They take great care of the piggies and send us a photo whenever we ask, and we've never head any issues or concerns and the boys seem perfectly happy with their vacations!

Since you are planning this quite far ahead, one option would be to find a boarding service that you like the look of (@Viennese Furbabies had good advice on how to do this) and maybe do a test of leaving your guineas there for a long weekend or something. If you are happy with how that goes, then you might feel more comfortable with leaving them for the longer trip next year?

 

[Betsy]

When moved to Dorset 2 years ago, I googled "guinea pig boarding" and found a lovely lady about 45 mins drive away. I went to check out how she looked after piggies and got to ask lots of questions. I felt really comfortable with leaving my piggies with her as she clearly loves them. I'm happy to leave my Piggies in her care whenever I go on holiday. There was another boarding place I found but they wouldn't let me go and look and said " the guinea pigs we board are in unheated sheds but they do have a TV". Needless to say I didn't even bother with that one!

 

[Black piggies]

Our boys go to the "guinea pig hotel" (boarding) when we travel. Before we left them there the first time we visited to have a look (although this may be more difficult with covid) and they explained their daily routine for the pigs, we discussed what bedding they use, food etc. They take great care of the piggies and send us a photo whenever we ask, and we've never head any issues or concerns and the boys seem perfectly happy with their vacations!

Since you are planning this quite far ahead, one option would be to find a boarding service that you like the look of (@Viennese Furbabies had good advice on how to do this) and maybe do a test of leaving your guineas there for a long weekend or something. If you are happy with how that goes, then you might feel more comfortable with leaving them for the longer trip next year?

Would you be happy to let me know the one you go to? I'd rather go on recommendation. Depending where you are in London, could be near me. Thanks.

 

[LMPigs]

Of course, they are in Croydon and it's called Don't Forget the Goldfish. Their website is here: Dont Forget The Goldfish

They also have a Facebook page where there are some pictures of their set up. The business is based at the owners house but the pigs and bunnies are in a purpose built building at the bottom of the garden which keeps them out of the way of the bouncier visitors (they also do dog walking).

 

[VickiA]

It’s always good to plan ahead.
Most professional pet sitters are insured and also you can usually ask for and check out references for them. You could also ask if anyone from your vet practice does pet sitting or pet visits.
When we go away for any length of time, mine go to a professional small pet hotel. I found them several years ago after extensive research and the piggies are superbly looked after there. Once you’ve found a pet sitter or a good boarding establishment it does get easier to go away and leave them.

 

[Black piggies]

Of course, they are in Croydon and it's called Don't Forget the Goldfish. Their website is here: Dont Forget The Goldfish

They also have a Facebook page where there are some pictures of their set up. The business is based at the owners house but the pigs and bunnies are in a purpose built building at the bottom of the garden which keeps them out of the way of the bouncier visitors (they also do dog walking).

Thank you, they do look lovely on the Facebook pages. Bit far for me I think.