ORLANDO, Fla. – For most pet owners, a dog is just another member of the family.
When they go on vacation, pet parents want to make sure those pups are taken care of properly, and if it can be done without breaking the bank, even better.
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Dan Downs has seen it all, where animals are concerned. He's been a SeaWorld dolphin trainer, had his own dog training business and even was a canine handler with the FBI.
"Some of the things my canines did working with the FBI, jumping off bridges, just because they're so focused on what they need to do," said Downs. "It was pretty neat to watch."
So when it comes to Tyler, his 10-year-old Pug, he's pretty much Downs' fourth and oldest child. So when he can't bring Tyler with him, he knows the right environment and care while he's away is important.
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Downs said that's why when he found out about Rover.com, working with them himself was a no-brainer.
It's a website that matches dog owners up with local dog walkers and dog sitters, for however long or short a service you need.
"It turns out that when dog owners travel, less than 10 percent of them use a commercial solution right now," said Aaron Easterly, CEO of Rover.com. "Boarding, it's kind of akin to taking your child to an orphanage, you know? They're wondering what they did wrong, they feel abandoned, you feel guilty. They may get a bed and food, but it's not a great experience."
But with Rover.com, the dog is taken care of in a home and being loved on, just like you would do.
"People are able to see each person's profile. They can see who I am as a person, meet me somewhere, let the dogs interact, make sure the dogs get along, make sure we get along. Then they can come back to my house, see the environment that dog would be in while that person is gone. They can leave confidently knowing that I would be a person taking care of their dog and taking care of their requests or demands on whatever they want to make sure happens so the dog has a comfortable stay while they're having fun," said Downs.
"One of the nice things about Rover is that dogs that have a variety of needs and conditions can find care, which is different than a kennel or a traditional boarding facility. So you can look on a sitter's profile and understand if they're used to administering medicine, including shots, whether or not their environment is appropriate for an old dog. I have a 14-year-old Pomeranian who is a little bit fragile, so trying to find the right environment for her is really important, and with Rover, I can," said Easterly. "You get the best benefits of a loving home but some of the protections you would associate with a business."
Those protections include what Easterly said is a thorough background check of each sitter.
"Sitters are evaluated based on their experience with dogs, the appropriateness of the environment of the dogs, the presence of other pets and animals in the location," said Easterly. "They go through a series of things called 'trust criteria,' things like providing third-party references or background checks or work history."
You'll also get photo and text updates as much as you want. That sitter also has access to a 24/7 vet consultation service and your pup is also covered by insurance during the service.
As far as cost, the average for overnight stays in Orlando is about $27 a night. Local 6 priced several traditional boarding facilities and found prices can range anywhere from about $20 a night to upwards of $100, depending on the facility you choose and any add-ons or service upgrades you select.
No matter which type of service you choose, Downs said it's important to ask questions, including whether the sitter has children or other animals.
He said you're also going to want to be honest with the sitter about your dog.
"Being honest with what your dog is good at, not good at, still working on, those are all variables the sitter needs to know, because maybe their environment is not set up for one of those weaknesses," said Downs.
That means everything, no matter how good or bad it is, from how well potty-trained the pup is to how well it does with other animals to whether or not he or she is crate-trained. That will help make the transition easier.
Downs said also be sure to check out each possible sitter thoroughly, as well.
"Go through the profile of the client and don't be afraid to compare," said Downs. "Just because someone is closer to you doesn't mean they're the best person for the fit of what you want. There's a match out there for everyone."