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Planning for Your Pet During Addiction Treatment

When you attend addiction treatment, you often have to put aspects of your life on hold. Call 844.230.5931 to learn about residential addiction treatment Texas.

For many people, deciding on long-term care for your pet while getting treatment is one of the most challenging choices you’ll have to make. However, there are options available that can help make the process stress-free and straightforward.

If you’re searching for residential addiction treatment in Texas and need help planning for your pet during rehab, reach out to our Texas Recovery Center team. We understand that preparing for our inpatient treatment program in Texas might also include making plans for your pet. Learn more about our inpatient treatment center in Texas today by calling Texas Recovery Center at 844.230.5931 or contacting us online.

How to Ensure Your Pet’s Health and Happiness in Your Absence

From the moment you decide to seek treatment for addiction, you have a lot of choices ahead of you. Your to-do list might include:

  • Where to go
  • What to do with your belongings
  • How long to go
  • Who to tell
  • What to pack
  • How to cope

There are very few rehab recovery centers that allow pets due to safety issues and for the comfort of the other guests. For some, having your dog or cat around might give you some support, while others can find them distracting. Remember, the focus is on you to overcome this addiction so you can live a healthy life and be there for the people you love, including your furry friends.

While it’s important to get this settled, it’s also crucial that you don’t delay residential addiction treatment in Texas for too long while you decide what to do. There are some options for taking care of your pet while you’re away getting the treatment you need for substance use.

Choose a Boarding Facility

You aren’t the first person to experience this problem, so don’t be surprised that your treatment center can recommend a pet boarding facility. If they are unsure, a quick Google search can help you find ones in your area. If you have a pet that requires attention multiple times a day, like a dog or an animal that requires medication, a boarding facility can often be the safest option.

These facilities specialize in caring for pets for extended periods of time, so be sure to do your research, make a trip to visit before you commit, and ask around for recommendations from people you trust. While usually one of the more expensive decisions, they are also typically able to take in your pet very quickly. So if time is an issue, boarding your dog or cat might be your best route.

Boarding facilities can charge by the hour, day, or week. Many will give you a discounted rate the longer you book. Be sure to factor in food, toys, treats, and treatment into your costs. Some boarding houses want you to supply food for your dog or cat, while others provide it. If your pet gets into a bit of tiff while being boarded, they might want to take them to your vet or have someone on-site treat them. You need to know how the responsibilities will be split while you are away.

Hire a Pet Sitter

An alternative to a boarding facility is a pet sitter. If you have a pet that requires minimal care, like a cat, fish, turtle, lizard, or bird, you might hire a pet sitting service to come to your house for a set amount of time. This is also a comforting option knowing someone will be checking on your house. 

A pet sitter can come by as often as once or multiple times a day or as little as a few times a week. For a fee, they will come in for however many visits you arrange. They will also perform all tasks relating to the pet, Such as:

  • Feeding
  • Brushing
  • Letting them outside
  • Walking
  • Playing
  • Cleaning the litter box 
  • Restocking food

Because they are not giving your pet constant attention, pet sitters are usually a more economical choice than a boarding facility. Finding a pet sitter you like and who is qualified may take a bit more time than selecting a boarding facility, but there are ways to make the selection process easy and efficient. Ask your veterinarian for a recommendation, or chat with the employees of a locally-owned, reputable animal supply store. You can even do a web search and find a vast network of educated and certified pet sitters.

Get Help from Friends or Family Members

When in the depths of a battle with addiction, not everyone is lucky enough to have friends or family still by their side. Even if yours have taken some distance, consider reaching out to them to ask for help, especially if money is too tight to hire someone. You can ask a trusted friend or family member to care for your pet for the duration of your time in treatment, even if you’re currently estranged from them. If you can offer to pay, offer what you can. You shouldn’t feel guilty for asking for help, no matter what memories the past may hold, because your pet’s life is worth it.

You’ll want to avoid asking any of your friends currently dealing with addiction or seeking treatment to help. Your recovery will go much more smoothly if you aren’t constantly wondering and worrying about the quality of care your pet is getting. Reach out to someone you can trust completely.

Ask Your Veterinarian

Often, veterinarian offices will board pets for a while. You can ask your vet if they have a boarding option. This is especially a good choice if your pet has special needs, requires multiple medications, or often needs medical attention. Your vet knows your pet as they have been caring for them regularly and can provide a safe, sterile environment.

The sterility can sometimes be a drawback. Vets offices may use smaller kennels than a boarding facility, and your pet may not get overnight attention. Be sure to ask about their policies and procedures. If it doesn’t work out, you can also offer to pay someone on staff to pet sit.

Foster Programs

There are many fostering programs out there and several for people in your situation. You can check with your local humane societies or no-kill non-profit animal shelters for fostering recommendations. If that leads to a dead-end, try researching foster programs through local animal rescues or PACTforanimals.org. There are also organizations, like Red Rover, that can provide financial assistance for people who need pet care while seeking treatment. The internet is a powerful research tool, so use it.

Tips for Care

Whether you hire a pet sitter or ask a friend, make sure you provide written instructions on how to care for your pet. Try your best to provide the funds to buy enough food and other pet items to keep your pet safe, secure, and fed during your stay and even some time after. You may need more time at a treatment facility than you anticipated. Plan for those contingencies.

Choose Texas Recovery Center for Residential Addiction Treatment in Texas

Pets are family members for many people, so making sure they get the best care while you take back control of your life will be a priority. It’s essential that you go into treatment feeling calm and focused, ready to tackle the long road ahead. Knowing when you are finished, and you’ll get to return home to your beloved pet is a strong motivator and a constant reminder of the joy of sobriety. If you’re interested in learning more about an inpatient rehab program in Texas at Texas Recovery Center, reach out to us online or call us at 844.230.5931.

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