Two-to-four-week trips abroad

A cruise or overseas trip is the longest stay most pet owners ever book. Three things change at that length: the rate, the billing, and the vaccine dates.

What the long-term rate saves

The long-term price is the same reduced rate as the military price, and the rate sheet does not list the two as combining; call 707-678-6600 to confirm. Cats are $35 a night, so 21 nights in the cattery is $735.

How billing works on a long stay

For stays up to four weeks, the balance is paid at pick-up. For a stay longer than four weeks, a card is put on file and charged every two weeks in advance. That means a 35-night trip has the first two weeks charged at drop-off, so budget for it before you leave.

Vaccines are the part that trips people up

The kennel needs records that show every required vaccine is current and will not expire during the stay. On a four-week trip that catches a rabies or Bordetella renewal that looked fine on the booking date. The canine influenza vaccine (recommended, not required) needs a booster three to four weeks after the first dose, so a first-time flu shot should happen at least a month before you leave. Cats need rabies and FVRCP. The vaccine readiness checker runs your dates.

Practical details for a month away

Leave an emergency contact who is not traveling with you, since you may be hard to reach at sea. The medical release on the boarding agreement asks you to choose a treatment level for your pet, so decide before you sail. Send food in its original bag with amounts in cups; for a long stay, ask the kennel whether to bring enough for the full stay or use the house food, which is free. Medications are given at no extra charge.

On return, check-out is by 11:30 AM, or collect between 2:00 and 5:00 PM and the day adds half of the nightly fee. If your ship docks late or your flight is delayed, call; a pet unclaimed ten days after the pick-up date with no contact is treated as abandoned, so keep in touch.