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 Travel plans for pet owners must always
include the decision to either take their pets along on vacation or
leave them with dependable people who will see to their needs.
To meet this need, one of the newer clubs at
Legacy of Leesburg comes to the aid of both pets and pet owners. The
Vacation Critter Sitters Club has the sole purpose of allowing residents
to “get away from home” with the peace of mind that comes from knowing
that their pets will be well cared for. In addition, club members will
also check on another member’s home while they are traveling. They will
even pick up the mail and newspapers if desired.
It all started when Sharon McCann came to
Legacy of Leesburg and saw the need for this program. As the owner of
five cats (which were all rescued by her) and one Cocker Spaniel, she
felt that she and her neighbors might enjoy their vacations more if they
didn’t have to worry about their pets while they were away. Kennel costs
usually run about $15 per day, so it can be quite costly if a pet is
placed in a kennel for an extended period of time. The club met for the
first time this past summer, and in just this short time, they have
grown to 14 members. There are no dues or fees, and vacationing pet
owners leave instructions with other members for the care of their
individual pets.
To become a member, a resident completes an
application, in which they agree to “donate as many hours as they need
to use for their vacation”. In addition, they agree to follow the
instructions of the vacationing homeowner to insure the proper care of
the pet. When a resident plans a trip, they complete the “Pet-Sitter
Notes”, on which they indicate where they will be on vacation, special
instructions for mealtime, snacks, walk schedule, allergies and
medications, as well as the name and phone number of their veterinarian.
A log sheet is also available, so that the caregiver can keep a record
of their visits to the pet-owners home.
The Vacation Critters Sitters Club was
originally formed to care for dogs and cats, but it is beginning to
include other services for non-pet owners. For example, requests for
landscaping care or mail pick-up have also been made of club members. As
a matter of fact, a few members of the
club do not have any pets, but appreciate the fact that a neighbor will
be available to collect their newspapers and mail while they are on
vacation. Because so many people in the community like to travel, the
range of services will probably continue to expand as more and more
residents join the club. As Sharon puts it, “it’s another example of
neighbors helping neighbors” within Legacy of Leesburg.
Because of this club, Sharon has become
quite well-known in the community. So much so that on occasion, she will
get a call from a neighbor when they see a stray cat or dog in the
community. It was her love for animals that motivated her to help form
the Vacation Critters Sitters Club, and to serve as the club’s present
administrator.
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