125 - Pet Sitting vs. Boarding: What's Really Best for Your Dog?

In this episode of Toni Unleashed, Toni is joined by her niece Natalie for an honest conversation about pet sitting, boarding facilities, and the reality of traveling when you have animals you truly love.

Natalie shares what life looks like with four rescue pets—two dogs and two cats—and why her family structures vacations around them instead of boarding. The discussion dives into the stress many rescue dogs experience in kennel environments, the financial and logistical challenges of boarding, and why pet sitting can often be a calmer alternative.

Toni draws from her experience as a former professional pet sitter and boarding facility co-owner, explaining the pros and cons of each option, including vaccine requirements, temperament risks, burnout in the industry, and what to look for when hiring someone to care for your pets.

From neighbor kids to Rover to long-term trusted sitters, this episode highlights one clear truth: when you choose to have pets, your lifestyle shifts. Travel, planning, vehicles, even daily routines—everything revolves around their well-being. And for many pet parents, that's exactly how it should be.