Made in Humane Club
Our First Getaway as Pet Parents — And What It Taught Us 🐾
The Plan That Felt Simple… Until It Wasn’t
A few months after adopting Gogo, we started thinking about something we hadn’t done in a while — a short getaway.
It sounded simple.
Until we asked ourselves the one question that changed everything:
What about Gogo?
Figuring Out What “Travel” Looks Like as Pet Parents
We did what most new pet parents do — we started asking around.
And the answers were… all over the place.
- Some had full-time house helps
- Some had caretakers who visited daily
- Some relied on family to step in
But we didn’t have any of that.
So we turned to the internet.
That’s when we discovered pet boarding options.
But most of them had multiple animals — often dogs — and many kept pets in cages for long hours. The idea of putting Gogo in a shared, unfamiliar environment like that, especially so early on, didn’t feel right to us.
Trying to Find a Safer Option
We found someone through word of mouth who takes care of pets while their parents are away.
It felt a little more reassuring than going in completely blind.
But before making a decision, we chose to meet her in person and visit her home ourselves.
The Visit That Felt “Okay Enough”
When we went to meet her, everything seemed… normal.
The house was a bit unclean, but we assumed it was just one of those days when help hadn’t come in.
Nothing alarming.
Just… not perfect.
And sometimes, when you want something to work, “not perfect” feels acceptable.
The Day We Left Him Behind
On the day of our flight, we dropped Gogo off at her place.
We made sure to explain everything:
- His food routine
- His litter habits
- Clear instructions that no other pets should be around him
We tried to cover every detail.
But as we left…
Something didn’t sit right.
The Feeling You Can’t Explain
Throughout the trip, we couldn’t fully relax.
There was this constant, quiet discomfort.
Nothing specific.
Just a feeling that something wasn’t right.
Coming Back to Something We Didn’t Expect
The moment we landed back, we went straight to pick him up.
And what we saw… didn’t feel okay.
Gogo was filthy.
His white fur had turned brown.
The house was visibly unclean.
That’s when we learned her house help had quit, and she hadn’t found a replacement yet.
We didn’t question much in that moment.
We paid, picked him up, and left.
When the Real Problem Showed Up
A few days later, things got worse.
Gogo started losing fur in patches.
That’s when we knew this wasn’t just about hygiene anymore.
We rushed him to the vet.
Under UV light, the diagnosis became clear:
Ringworm infection.
Something he had picked up from an unclean environment.
What Came Next Was Even Harder
Treatment wasn’t simple.
- Multiple creams, twice a day
- Cleaning affected areas
- Wiping him down with a damp cloth twice a day to gently clean the infected areas, remove dirt and fungal buildup, and help prevent the infection from spreading further
- Drying him thoroughly to avoid moisture buildup, which can worsen fungal growth
And anyone who has been a cat parent knows—
Cats don’t like:
- Loud noises
- Water
- Or unfamiliar handling
Every single day became a challenge.
Not just physically.
But emotionally.
What This Experience Taught Us
This wasn’t just about one bad decision.
It was a wake-up call.
We learned:
- Trusting instincts matters more than convenience
- “Good enough” isn’t always safe enough
- Cleanliness and environment are non-negotiable for cats
- Not all caretakers are equal
What We Wish We Knew Earlier: Choosing the Right Pet Sitter
If you’re planning to leave your pet with someone, here are a few things we learned the hard way:
✔️ Always Visit the Space Personally
Photos or recommendations aren’t enough. Check cleanliness, ventilation, and overall environment yourself.
✔️ Ask About Daily Cleaning Routine
Don’t assume — ask clearly:
- How often is the space cleaned?
- Who is responsible for it?
✔️ Clarify Pet Separation Rules
If your pet isn’t used to other animals, ensure:
- No mixing with other pets
- No shared spaces unless agreed
✔️ Check for Backup Support
What happens if:
- Their househelp doesn’t show up?
- They fall sick?
Always have a Plan B.
✔️ Trust Your Instincts
If something feels slightly off during the visit… don’t ignore it.
That “small doubt” usually matters.
Looking Back…
We had only wanted a short break of 2 days.
But what we got instead was one of the most important lessons in our journey as pet parents.
One that made us more careful.
More aware.
And far more intentional.