Pet boarding facilities are always expensive and most dogs and cats don’t like them. They would prefer to be with their owners. Having said that, make sure your exchange partners are 100% happy with the arrangement; never take a pet without first receiving written permission. Also, don’t take a pet on vacation with you if you’re likely to be busy sightseeing for most of the time. You need to have your pet in an environment where it will be in your company for a good part of the day so that it’s vacation will be enjoyable as well.

Prior to departure make sure that all your pet’s shots are current and check with your vet whether any special shots would be advisable for the area you will be traveling to. Also, have a nametag made displaying your exchange home’s address and phone number and attach it to your pet’s collar IN ADDITION to his regular tag. If your pet is a cat, it’s a good idea to fit it with a cat-harness, should it escape a cat wearing a harness is much easier to grab hold of. A word of warning—don’t buy a cheap harness, cats escape from them!