Leaving for a holiday should feel exciting. But, for many pet owners, one question lingers long after they pack the suitcase: what about the dog? In this guest post, Mandi Wright, dog trainer and Customer Experience Team Leader at Kip Marrickville, shares her insights on the growing dilemma many pet owners face when travelling, and how the right preparation and care can make time apart easier for both dogs and their humans.
The suitcase is open on the bed.
Your plans are locked in.
Your next travel adventure has finally arrived.
And then it hits you.
Not the packing. Not the travel plans.
But the quiet, lingering question in the back of your mind:
What about them?
For many Australians, this has become an unexpected part of holiday planning. Not where to go, but how to leave behind someone who feels like family. Because that’s exactly what pets have become. With more than two-thirds of Australian households owning a pet, dogs are no longer just companions. They’re part of daily life, from morning walks and work-from-home routines to evenings curled up on the couch. So when it’s time to travel, the separation can feel much bigger than expected.
In Sydney’s Inner West, this shift is particularly pronounced. There are now around 49,400 dogs across the area, with dog ownership increasing by 21% since covid. In fact, there are now more dogs than children across the Inner West, and suburbs like Marrickville have some of the highest concentrations of dog ownership.
It’s no surprise then that finding the right care has become such an important decision. Providers like Kip Happy Stays in Marrickville are seeing this demand firsthand, as more Inner West owners seek trusted, local care options during travel or weekend getaways.
At the same time, demand for pet boarding is rising sharply as more people travel interstate or overseas. For many owners, it creates a dilemma, choosing between convenience and care, or searching for an option that genuinely feels right.
Because it’s no longer just about finding someone to feed the dog. It’s about trust.
Dogs are highly attuned to their environment. They notice when routines change, when suitcases come out, when something feels different at home. For some, that can lead to anxiety, showing up as restlessness, clinginess or changes in behaviour.
But with the right preparation, the experience doesn’t have to be stressful. Mandi Wright, dog trainer and Customer Experience Team Leader at Kip Marrickville, says helping dogs feel safe comes down to familiarity, routine and a gradual transition.
“We often recommend a short trial stay or daycare visit before a longer boarding stay,” she explains. “That small step makes a big difference in how comfortably dogs settle.”
How to prepare your dog before you travel
- Start by sharing important information with your dog’s carer. Feeding routines, temperament and any medical needs all help create consistency while you’re away.
- Before drop-off, make time for exercise. A walk or play session helps release nervous energy and allows your dog to arrive calmer and more relaxed.
- Keep goodbyes calm and brief. While it can feel emotional, dogs take cues from their owners. A relaxed handover helps signal that everything is okay.
- Bring something familiar from home. A favourite toy, blanket or item with your scent can provide comfort and help your dog settle more easily in a new environment.
- Maintain familiar routines wherever possible. Feeding schedules, walks and sleep patterns should stay consistent, even when your dog is away from home.
And if your dog hasn’t boarded before, arrange a short trial stay. This gives them the opportunity to become familiar with the space, the people and the rhythm of the day before a longer visit.
These small steps can make a significant difference, not just for your dog, but for your own peace of mind.
Across Australia, this growing focus on quality care is reflected in the rapid rise of the pet care industry, now worth an estimated $1.5 billion. More owners are seeking options that support not just safety, but emotional well-being.
In urban areas like the Inner West, where options have historically required longer travel or compromise, there’s been a noticeable shift towards more local, trusted care.
Kip Happy Stays, which operates more than 20 locations across Australia, including daycare centres in Alexandria and Newtown and larger boarding facilities in Lake Macquarie and the Hunter Valley, is responding to this demand by creating environments that feel consistent, safe and engaging for dogs.
At their Marrickville location, this now includes overnight stays, giving Inner West dog owners a more local, flexible boarding option
It’s about creating a calm, structured experience where dogs can quickly settle in and feel safe.
With attentive care, guided routines, and dedicated spaces, dogs are supported in relaxing, playing, and adjusting comfortably during their stay.
During their stay, dogs experience structured days that include supervised play, daily walks, enrichment activities and climate-controlled spaces designed for comfort. Owners also receive regular updates, offering reassurance while they’re away.
For many dogs, whether they’re familiar with the environment or staying for the first time, the transition into overnight care can be smooth with the right support. A consistent routine, familiar comforts from home, and experienced staff all help dogs settle in quickly and feel safe in a new environment. It’s a small example, but it reflects a much bigger shift. Pet care is no longer transactional. It’s emotional.
Owners are planning holidays around their pets, booking care earlier, and choosing environments based on how their dog will feel, not just whether they’ll be looked after. And that shift isn’t going anywhere.
So if you’re heading away and feeling a little uneasy about leaving your dog behind, you’re not alone. It usually means one thing: you care. With the right preparation and the right environment, time apart can be a positive experience for both of you. And coming home to them is still the best part.
Mandi Wright is the Customer Service Manager at Kip Happy Stays, where she leads customer satisfaction initiatives and ensures consistent, high-quality service delivery. She brings a strong track record in managing customer relationships and enhancing the overall customer experience within the pet care industry. A qualified dog trainer with over five years of experience, Mandi previously served as NSW State Dog Trainer at Petstock, supporting training standards across 30+ stores. This background combines operational leadership with in-depth knowledge of canine behaviour, enabling her to bridge the gap between customer expectations and animal welfare. She has also contributed to media opportunities, providing expert commentary on pet care and customer experience. Her work is defined by a commitment to trust, education, and continuous improvement.
