Have Pet, Will Travel

At Home

Vet the pet sitter. Your vet or groomer can make a recommendation of a reliable service; bring the sitter over to get acquainted with your pet before you leave on your trip.
Check out the facilities. Give yourself plenty of time to investigate all your boarding options. Drop in unannounced and ask for a tour to see where the animals are kept and how staffers handle them, so you can see conditions as they'll be while you're not there to check up.
Prepare for boarding. Once you settle on a home-away-from-home, bring your pet in to interact with the staff and let them feed her treats and play with her so they're familiar to her. Older pets may be better off boarding with their vet, in case they need extra care.

On the Go
Whether you're on the road or close to home, check out the free Mo's Nose app on your iPhone, from the creators of the Mo's Nose book series. It's adorable, easy to use, and super handy: You can find everything from pet-friendly hotels to kennels, groomers, dog walkers, pet stores, parks, and dog beaches nearby (using GPS). Plus, if you choose the little icon of Mo (an adopted shelter dog) in the bottom corner, you'll get a listing of pet-related events and deals for owners that are offered in the area. The app works nationwide and will be available in the app store in June.