For those living far from their home country, returning home for a visit or traveling for work is a frequent reality. However, for animal lovers, this situation presents a significant challenge: how to manage the care of their pet during their absence?
Traveling with a dog or cat is often more complicated than it seems. Many airlines impose strict restrictions on transporting animals, limiting it to certain dimensions or conditions. On international trips, the difficulties increase: health documents, mandatory vaccinations, and high costs pose significant obstacles. This leads many owners to opt for leaving their pets at home, facing another major challenge: where and with whom to leave their four-legged companion.
Finding a safe and reliable solution is not always easy. Many expat families highlight the difficulty of finding suitable facilities or trustworthy people capable of providing a calm environment for their pets. Leaving a pet doesn’t just mean ensuring they’re fed and physically cared for; it also involves looking after their emotional well-being, a task that requires sensitivity and attention.
In the absence of viable options, there is a risk of resorting to improvised solutions: leaving the animal alone for extended periods, entrusting it to inexperienced acquaintances, or using accommodations not suited to their specific needs. These challenges are especially felt in areas with high concentrations of expats, such as major European and American cities or tourist destinations, where the demand for quality animal services is constantly growing.
A concrete response to this need comes from projects like that of Chameli Amatori, who created Hotel Family Pet in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, a facility dedicated to the well-being of pets. With spacious areas, play activities, and a personalized approach, the hotel offers a solution that not only ensures the animals’ safety but also provides peace of mind for their owners.
"Each animal is treated like a member of the family," Chameli explains, "we offer them an environment where they can feel at home, with care that goes beyond mere physical attention."
These initiatives highlight how important it is to recognize the role of pets in the lives of those living far from their homeland. Animals are not just companions; they are an integral part of the family, a source of comfort and stability. Ensuring them a safe and welcoming environment during their owners’ absence is not just a practical necessity but also an act of responsibility and love. In this sense, trust in those who take care of them becomes the bridge between the duty and the desire to always offer them the best.