For pet lovers, even the perfect vacation often includes a piece of unwelcome baggage — the lingering anxiety of leaving your pets behind. Knowing your animals are in good hands can make a world of difference.

The Hawaiian Humane Society offers these tips to Hawai'i pet owners to help find the best caregivers while you're away.

If possible, hire someone who pet-sits for a living and carries insurance or is licensed or bonded. To find possible candidates, check with your veterinarian or ask friends. If you don't have any good personal references to go on, check the phone book or the Web.

Gather your family and list the questions that are important to your pet's care. For example, what hours will the pet sitter be home? How often will she walk the dogs?

Invite the sitter for an interview to meet your pet. Observe the sitter with your animal and make sure there's mutual compatibility. If there's a dog in the family, accompany the candidate as she walks your dog on your a regular route.

"Pet-sitting is a wonderful option for many pet parents," says Tammy Kubo, owner of Hawai'i Pet Nanny. "We find many of our pet parents love using a pet sitter because our animals are happiest when at home," says Kubo.

With the holidays approaching, Kubo recommends booking early. "Many kennels and day-cares are already booked for the holidays," she adds. "The more you plan ahead, the better choice you make in hiring."

A little homework can mean a lot of peace of mind, so check references and ask for a written service contract, which outlines the work the sitter will do and total fees.

Also, provide the sitter with detailed information about your pet, including photos and how to reach you and your veterinarian in case of an emergency.

Equip your cats and dogs with collars and ID tags with telephone numbers. Dogs should have a current, City and County-issued license tag, which identifies you as the owner.

And if your pet wanders from home, a missing pet report should be filed immediately with the Humane Society. The sitter should know about your Island's lost-and-found center, including holding times and how to conduct a neighborhood search. On O'ahu, lost pets that arrive at the shelter can be viewed at www.hawaiian humane.org. The sitter should also inform you of their backup plan in case he or she becomes ill or can't get to your home.

While many people prefer to keep pets in their own home environment with a sitter, there are many reputable boarding facilities. The boom in Hawai'i's pet-friendly businesses means there are plenty of kennel options. The range includes basic kennels at nearby veterinarian offices, countryside "resorts" with spacious exercise areas, and pampered city accommodations with dog beds and play areas.

A home away from home can be a better option for animals that become bored or stressed when left alone. For pets that need a more social environment and the company of others, this option helps to keep them busy.

It's important to view the entire facility and, as with sitters, make a list of questions. You'll want to know vaccination requirements, if the dogs are walked, indoor and outdoor exercise areas, what happens when dogs are incompatible, feeding schedules and how sick animals are cared for and housed.

You may want to keep your pet there for short periods of time before your trip so that he's familiar and comfortable with the environment by the time you go on vacation.

Not only does research and preparation offer you a more restful and relaxing getaway, it ensures much-deserved peace and joy for your pet, too.

Cody

Tag No. 106926 Cody is a mature, orange and white kitty who qualifies for our "Seniors for Seniors" program - for anyone 60 or older, we will waive the adoption fee. What a deal!

Frosti

Tag No. 110927 Frosti may not be a snow-man but she's absolutely adorable even without a carrot stuck in her mouth! She will win your heart in an instant.

These animals already may have found homes. The Hawaiian Humane Society and McInerny Dog Park at 2700 Wai'alae Ave. are open weekdays from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., weekends and holidays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. For directions, special events and to see more pets available for adoption, visit www.hawaiianhumane.org or call 946-2187. Call immediately to report lost or found animals, ext. 4.

PETS ON THE NET: AN ONLINE COMMUNITY

Our Web feature, Pet Project, is for people who love their dogs, cats and other animals so much they want to show them off to everyone. At Pet Project, you can submit a photo of your pet, read the latest news about pets, learn about new books on pets or join a discussion group with other pet owners in the community. Go to http://the.honoluluadvertiser.com/section/petproject.