IT is an offence under the Abandonment of Animals Act for an owner to abandon an animal, whether permanently or not, in circumstances likely to cause suffering, so never go away and leave any of your pet animals without proper care.

Owners should arrange a dog sitter or boarding kennels to care for their pets while on holidays. Dogs usually adapt well to staying at a kennel, especially if they were introduced to it at a young age. However, the benefits of keeping your dog at home and having a dog sitter are that he will remain in familiar surroundings, he will get to sleep in his own bed, and he will not be stressed by the presence of other dogs.