For TCU Students who are pet owners, spring break is more than just deciding between Cabo and Gulf Shores.
TCU student, Jack Prutting, tells TCU360 about what it is like traveling and making boarding arrangements for 7 and a half-month-old bulldog, Millie.
Millie trots sassily away in her purple TCU collar as Prutting talks about Millie’s plans for spring break.
“As of now I am working to find a place to board her that has great reviews and recommendations. I haven’t been able to find any friends or family in the area that would be able to take her, so boarding her is my only option at this point.”
For overnight boarding close to TCU, the Petsmart on Bryant Irving Road has a PetHotel. Prices start at $26 a night for a standard guest room and go up to $44 a night for an all-inclusive private suite.
Petsmart PetHotel manager says many of the overnight and daycare pets have owners that are TCU students.
“Because our hours are so flexible, 7 a.m. to 9 p.m., students often drop off their pets before their classes and pick them up at night.”
The manager also said the PetHotel currently has some TCU students pets booked to stay over spring break.
Like many TCU pets, Millie is the first pet that Jack has raised on his own. The two are very close, which is why Jack says he is nervous boarding Millie for spring break.
“Whenever I am home she will follow me around, she also sleeps in my bed most nights and whenever I leave home.”
Prutting says he had a great experience leaving Millie with two fellow TCU students.
“They were so great and she was really happy when I picked her back up. I paid them $200 which was a great price compared to how much its normally costs to board a dog.” Leaving pets with fellow classmates is a great alternative to boarding.
Many students opt for a stay-cation in Fort Worth, and would be happy to take in a furry friend for company.
If most of your friends are leaving, post an ad for a pet-sitter on TCU Announce.
Although Prutting is not bringing Millie on his spring break trip, he says the pair has done a fair amount of traveling together.
“Millie and I flew home which was actually not too bad of an experience. I was able to get her registered as an emotional support dog and was allowed to bring her on the plane without having to buy her a ticket.”
Flying with a pet that is not registered as an Emotional Support Animal, can get expensive.
Southwest Airlines charges $95 to bring a small-domesticated dog or cat.
Prutting says he is nervous to leave Millie while he is away, but only due to the fact that he does not know where she will be staying.
The Humane Society says to ask vets, animal shelters or trainers for boarding recommendations and to do background checks on each kennel.
The Humane Society also says to visit each kennel and check for cleanliness, ventilation, light, a requirement for pets to be vaccinated and a knowledgeable and caring staff.
“I am sure when I book somewhere for her to stay it will help me feel better about it,” says Prutting.
