Tanvi, an animal lover, says: “Travelling with a pet can be quite tedious. On vacations, I usually have to hire an air-conditioned taxi to move around so that my dog is comfortable. It is also very difficult to find pet-friendly hotels.”

Most pet hostels provide a friendly and hygienic environment for holiday boarding. At a well-kept centre, each pet is allotted a separate enclosure, usually air-conditioned or well-ventilated. Pets are pampered with goodies and toys to ensure they don’t miss their owners. But all this luxury comes at a price — daily charges range between Rs 150 and Rs 350, which may or may not include medical and meal charges.

Before admission, most hostels make a note of the pet’s eating habits, meal timings, walk timings and behaviour. The kennels usually tie up with vets for medical services in case a pet falls sick. There are some hostels, though, that consult only the vet authorised by the pet owner.

Shiv Kaushal, a city-based dog trainer who provides pet boarding, states: “This helps ensure transparency. The pet owner cannot be handed over fake medical bills if a vet recommended by him is consulted.”

Despite its good points, pet boarding is yet to catch on in the city with many people still hesitant to leave their pets with unfamiliar folks. Pet owner Kimisha says: “I would rather leave my dog with a neighbour or friend than in a pet hostel.”

Sukhman, a student, echoes the same sentiment. “I do not trust a pet hostel. I prefer to take my dog along when I travel.”

Dr Ravinder Singh, who runs Doggies Day Kennel, says: “Most people are apprehensive about leaving their pets at a hostel as they are not sure of the facilities — owners fear that their pets might be attacked by other animals or catch infections. But on the contrary, pets learn to bond with other animals in a hostel and this proves good in the longer run.”

And so, in a bid to attract more clients, pet hostels have come up with unique schemes. Kaushal states: “We offer a 50 per cent discount to those who have adopted strays as pets. Also, those who leave their pets with us for more than a week can avail of a free grooming package worth Rs 700.”