So you finally made the move of getting yourself a furry little companion for yourself. Whether you are living alone or with your family, having a pet always makes everything so much better. Taking in a pet and making it a part of your family speaks volumes about your commitment to caring for animals. So, props to you for taking this step. Here are some essential tips for first time pet owners such as yourself:
1. Choose Your Pet
Going to a pet shelter or shop sounds fun and exciting, but it can also be a bit confusing. You have so many precious animals that it can get a bit daunting. You would want to take all of them home, but let’s not get carried away here and just stick to one furry cutie at a time. If you like or prefer a particular breed, then look for that kind of cat or dog, but be open-minded as well because you never know what animal melts your heart.
2. Match Your Personality with Your Pet
If you are someone who is full of energy and loves to go on long walks, then get an animal that has the same type of energy. There is no point in getting a high maintenance animal when you can’t take go on walks or play with it.
3. Know Your Budget?
Being a pet owner also comes with some financial reasonability. You need to check how much you will be spending such as set up costs, toys, equipment, accessories, vet visits, food and grooming.
4. Prepare Your Home
First-time pet owners must take into account if their home is ready for a pet as well. Find a suitable place or little corner where your cat or dog can rest in. If your pet is super hairy, then make sure to keep places such as your dining area, kitchen, etc., a bit restricted. Designate an area for their food, litter and play. Make sure to have a small outdoor access area specifically for your pet so that it can easily come and go outside without you having to open the door.
You also have to ensure that your family or anyone else whom you are living with is on board with having a pet in the home. If someone is allergic to fur, then it is best not to get one.
5. Make Sure to Have the Right Food
Every cat or dog has specific nutritional needs. Check with the shelter or pet shop to see what it has been eating so that you can get the same.
6. Get in Touch with a Vet
Every cat or dog needs a vet for a regular checkup. First-time pet owners need to make an additional trip every six months to make sure that their cat or dog is safe from any diseases or health issues. Go to a vet the same week you get your pet.
With this checklist in mind, you can be the pet owner out there! And if you need a place to board them while you go on holiday don’t forget to get in contact with AAA Pet Resort!
All our guests have a great time
Born into the pet care industry, resort owner Michael Avery has owned various pet resorts across the Gold Coast. However, he considers AAA Pet Resort his crowning achievement. Michael’s vision to create a home away from home for Gold Coast pets has been realised, as many happy customers can attest. Our philosophy is simple, yet effective: to ensure all of our guests have a great time, in a loving, protective environment.
All AAA animal carers uphold Michael’s high standards of care and comfort. This is reflected in their compassionate, observant nature when caring for your best friend
We have a 5 star team
Our enthusiastic team of dog lovers is driven to provide you and your pet with the most comfortable, enjoyable pet resort experience, while you enjoy your time away. Each staff member lives up to this philosophy by caring for your dog’s health, happiness, and wellbeing. You can be confident that while having the time of their lives, your best friend is safe and well looked after.
Operating Hours
Our passionate staff will ensure your fur kids feel like part of the family during their stay at AAA Pet Resort.
Weekdays 7:00-11:00 am | 3:00-5:00 pm
Saturday 8:00-10:00 am | 3:00-4:00 pm
Sundays 3:00-5:00 pm
Closed public holidays
Please call for inspection times
Frequently asked questions
What's the difference between Twin Share and Private during pet boarding?
Each of our five room options can be booked as either a Twin Share or a Private, so it’s still the same room, the option just depends on if your dog would like to have the room to them self or if they’d prefer to share that room with a friend. With dogs who do not live together at home, we will only board two dogs together at any one time, except under special circumstances, in which case you would be notified about the situation prior to boarding.
How do you match the dogs for Twin Share?
If you have a dog who thoroughly enjoys the company of another dog, the Twin Share option may be suitable. We match dogs in the Twin Share option according to size and temperament, so if you have a small, calm dog, your dog would be matched with another dog who is small, who would like to integrate but not be too over the top during play. If you have a large, playful dog, your dog would be matched to someone who wouldn’t mind playing the day away with your dog. There are endless combinations of pet traits.
Is there always a dog match available at your pet resort?
There are instances where you may book your dog into a Twin Share room, but we may not have a dog boarding with us during that time who is suitable to share the room with your dog (Eg. Dogs got alone but one was much more playful than the other). If this occurs, we will be in touch with you to let you know that we weren’t able to find a match. When dogs are matched up, sometimes the dates that their booking goes for does not align. Your dog may be here for seven days, and their initial match may only be here for the first three days. The introduction process begins again once their first match has left.
What is the introduction process for the dog boarding?
We are very particular about which dogs share with one another, and our introduction process can take up to 3 or 4 hours. It’s most certainly not something we take lightly as we must ensure that both guests will feel comfortable being with one another during their stay. If there are any signs of anti-social behaviour from either dog, the introduction progress is ceased immediately.
If your dog has never boarded with us before, it’s highly recommended to book them a Private room so that you know the room is readily available for them to have them self should they require it. It’s very easy for us to change to a Twin Share, but due to availability, it’s not always easy for us to do it the other way around. Please get in touch with us if you’re unsure about which option is best for your dog.
Why are vaccinations important in Boarding Kennels or Pet Resorts on the Gold Coast?
If you’re looking for cat or dog boarding on the Gold Coast, your pet will be required to have current vaccination records. A good dog hotel on the Gold Coast will always protect all its canine and feline guests by making sure they are all up-to-date on their shots and healthy. Puppies and kittens require three initial vaccinations when they’re very young and then annual booster vaccinations and check-ups for life. Our requirements are C5 in dogs, and F3 in cats, and these vaccinations need to be conducted within the last 12 months, but not within 10 days of the arrival date to our resort. Be sure to ask your vet if you have any questions about your pet’s full protection and contact our friendly team to find out more about the vaccination requirements.