Breaks for your pets
Our furry pals have a selection of destinations as families get away
THE excitement of holidays can be dampened by the prospect of leaving pets at home but there are plenty of kennels in Cairns that promise to give your four-legged pal all the care they deserve.
With school holidays approaching, pet kennels are quickly booking up, so residents are urged to bite the bullet and lock in a spot for their pets.
Erica Butler of Cairns Canine and Cat Care said she was already booked out for all school holidays as well as weekends until October.
“More and more people were getting pets now that they’re not travelling (internationally) because of Covid, but now they can travel within Queensland or within the country but they’ve got a dog,” she said.
“It’s pet fever.”
Kuranda Pet Resort co-owner Diane Ward said the winter school holidays were already about three quarters booked out, with the remaining spaces booking “fairly” quickly.
“We always book out for the school holidays,” she said.
Ms Ward said they were already fully booked for the four-day period over Christmas.
“The sooner (people book), the better if they want to confirm a spot,” she said.
Most kennels require proof that animals have been fully vaccinated at least 14 days before boarding so make sure to get on top of inoculations before your holiday.
YAPS Price:
$24 per day for a dog.
There’s a fee of $8.80 for a 20-minute walk with a responsible dog walker.
$22 per day for a cat, $26 for a larger room, or $36 for two cats sharing one room.
A surcharge of $10 applies on public holidays. The details:
Dogs are housed in individual sheltered kennels and allowed in the exercise yard each day. Workers ensure the animal’s diet is as close to their normal diet as possible to limit any settling in problems. They will administer medication, bath dogs weekly and provide special care for older animals. There’s an on-call vet available at all times. Cats are housed in airconditioned luxury at the previous location of Cairns Cat Oasis Resort.
K9 RIVER RETREAT Price:
$36 per day for small dogs, $39.50 for medium dogs, $44.50 for large dogs and $48 for extralarge dogs.
The details:
This facility is pure dog luxury. It is a kennel-free boutique facility featuring spacious indoor bedrooms with high-quality mattresses and lounge suites. Dogs have all-day access to five enclosed outdoor areas with sand pits, plunge pools and agility courses. They are taken on daily walks along specially created tracks where they can go for a swim in the river.
There’s a maximum of 18 dogs at the kennel at any time and all dogs get a complimentary bath on departure. Owners can get pet updates on the Facebook page. Home delivery and pick up are available for an additional cost.
RSPCA Price:
$27 per day for a dog.
$22 per day for a cat condo or $27 for the cat penthouse.
A surcharge of $10 applies on public holidays. The details:
Possibly the best selling point for this kennel is that it’s a 10-minute drive from the airport, making it a great option for those jetting off to their holiday destination. A stay here includes food, bedding and daily exercise. As well as dogs and cats, a range of other small animals can be cared for.
KURANDA PET RESORT
Price:
$30 per day or $32 during peak times such as
school holidays, plus $10 per dog per day on public holidays.
The details:
This facility features fully roofed and insulated kennels, beds fitted with cosy Vetfleece or cotton – depending on the temperature, and eight huge exercise areas. The workers ensure dogs receive plenty of play time, cuddles and entertainment to keep them occupied. A discounted hydrobath with blow dry and cologne is available on departure.
PETCLOUD Price:
Starting at $30 per day for a dog, $20 per day for a cat and $25 for a home visit.
The details:
This online platform connects pet owners to local pet caretakers, all police checked and insured. They offer a combination of home visits, pet walking and boarding at their houses, depending on what service your dog requires. Most caretakers offer to send photos of your pet while you’re away for peace of mind.
CAIRNS CANINE AND CAT CARE Price:
From $35 a day, depending on individual situations.
The details:
Erica Butler recently made pet care her fulltime job due to increased demand for pet sitting and dog walking. She offers in-home pet sitting, where she spends the night at your house to keep your cat or dog company, or for those who just need a feed and a walk, she can provide that too.
JENNA’S PET SITTING
Price:
Call or email for a quote.
The details:
Former vet nurse Jenna and her team have cared for more than 5000 pets over the past three years. They send pet owners daily photos so you know your beloved pet is in good hands. The team can care for any kind of pet from mice to horses. Both boarding at a sitter’s house and pet sitting at your home are options.