HOME EXCHANGE PET PROBLEM

This is the first time I have searched for a house swap vacation since we went a little crazy in acquiring live stock. We now have three cats and a tiny parrot.


I know what you're thinking: with that many cats you won't have the parrot for long. She's not above giving them a good peck on any tender kitten noses which get too close to the bird cage so don't count the parrot out just yet.


The cats are enthusiastic about having a bird around but how would home exchangers feel?


There are 3 keys to asking swappers to do something extra while they use your home. Make it as easy as possible to do that chore. Offer alternative ways to get the job done. And be willing to find another solution that does not involve the swappers at all.


We have tried to make pet care nothing more than tolerating the pets' presence in our home. We have installed a few gadgets that automatically feed, water and clean up after the cats. The bird just needs the cage bottom liner changed when it gets dirty.


I very timidly raised the issue of pet care with our next potential swap partners. They had no pets themselves. Would they prefer if we boarded the bird elsewhere? Or bring the bird with us in a small travel cage.


Kittens? A parrot? The exchangers are parents of two tweens. The kids love pets. No problem!


What a relief. Our next swap was shaping up fine.