Our furry friends may follow us all around the house — whether they’re looking for food or love is up for debate. However, they can’t literally follow us everywhere. While a dog-friendly vacation can be fun, sometimes it’s not in the cards. Perhaps you’re taking a business trip or heading somewhere with a pet policy that is one that starts and ends with “no.” And kitties generally don’t travel well, anyway.
A stay at a pet hotel or in-home care is the next best thing to you, ensuring your furry family member stays safe while you’re away. But you don’t want just any old place or sitter for your pet — you want the best. The Hamptons has more pet-care options than you can shake a stick at, but these seven are genuinely fetch (yep, we made it happen — take that, Regina George).
Paws & Enjoy Life Pet Care, 631-833-8149
Tails wag, and even grumpy cats purr with delight when East Quogue resident Gabriella Rose enters the house. The at-home pet caretaker is known for her kindness and punctuality with four-legged friends and their two-legged parents alike. Her services include wedding-day assistance, everyday visits, transportation to appointments and overnight stays (she comes to your house for a sleepover with your pet so they can rest easily with their creature comforts — and you can, too).
Pet Sit Hamptons, 631-714-9005
Fran Alioto grew up with animals, and pet care is “all I have done,” starting with her first pet assignment at age 11. Today, Alioto says her clientele includes locals, seniors and celebrities — but the animals are the real stars for the born-and-raised Sag Harbor sitter. Alioto is a licensed veterinary technician who can legally administer medications to animals, and she also cares for horses. Other tail-wag-worthy offerings include per-hour sitting and walks. While she charges humans cash, Alioto’s favorite payments come in the priceless purrs and tail-wags she gets from the animals in her care.
Lori’s Pet Care Services, 631-697-3558
Lori Marsden of East Hampton went all in on her pet care business in 2011 and quickly became known for her group walks off-leash at beaches and dog parks, allowing pups to socialize and run their zoomies out while their humans work and stay elsewhere. She makes house visits to care for dogs, cats and birds. Marsden also takes a “mi casa, su casa” approach to boarding, opening her home for boarding and daycare, and those stays include walks. Male dogs must be neutered.
Abbey’s Happy Hounds, 631-764-9295
Happy Hounds is a misnomer — Abbey’s Happy Hounds cares for animals of multiple stripes, from dogs and cats to tortoises. It’s a massive growth spurt for a business that started as an after-school gig for East Hampton resident Abbey Allen, who now hosts playgroups, in-home visits and overnight sleepovers with dogs at her place (they’re welcome to come into bed for snuggles, too). Abbey’s Happy Hounds serves clients throughout the Hamptons and North Haven, Conn.
Amber Anglin’s All Dogged Up in Shelter Island specializes in giving dogs TLC and R&R. The groomer and her staff lend a gentle hand to pets nervous about brushing, bathing and clipping (seriously, Anglin can effortlessly trim the nails of the most skittish of pups without a hitch). As for boarding, it’s not your grandma’s kennel — in fact, it’s not a kennel at all. Pets get their own beds, aren’t kenneled (ever) and have access to a one-acre fenced-in fun zone. Since roaming and socializing are part of the fun, dogs are required to undergo a complimentary temperament evaluation before their humans book a stay.
Hydrant Hotel, 845 Raynor Ave., Riverhead, 631-740-9359
This spot is a one-stop-shop for numerous dog services — boarding, daycare, grooming and even training with Joseph Secreti, who boasts more than three decades of experience educating dogs (and their humans). The facility offers both indoor and outdoor space for playgroups, and dogs not up to snuff on a temperament test can still get one-on-one fun time. As for boarding, an upgraded experience spoils pooches with a real bed and TV (the accommodations might rival the ones you booked for yourself). Male dogs must be neutered and females must be spayed to partake in playgroups.
Get Your Leash On, 847-769-8858
There are no “bad dogs” in Amy Kurtz’s book. The certified professional dog trainer from Noyack is well-versed in positive training methods and offers private individual sessions for more one-on-one attention and group training at ARF, which also gives dogs a chance to learn to “live” with other dogs. In-home, overnight stays are also among her services, and she says she offers discounts for multi-night needs.
