People who own pets usually love them and care well for them.

But, what happens when you have to travel? What can you do? Who will care for them?

News Specialist Shelley Osterloh has some answers.

If your pet is dog or cat, you might board them at a kennel or maybe ask a nieghbor to look in on them.

But what if you don't want to do that, or if your pet is a bird, or a hamster, or fish?

Well there are options for pampered pets.

If your pet is a dog or cat, you may want to simply take them with you.

A few select hotels, like Salt Lake City's posh, Hotel Monaco, allow you to check in with your pet.

Ric Tanner/Hotel Manaco: WE HAVE A POLICY THAT ALL GOOD DOGS GO TO SEVEN AND CATS GO TO ELEVEN.

That's right... Dogs and cats welcome here.

That system also allows other guests to avoid those floors if they have pet allergies.

Peter Bambridge and his dog Salty are moving from Salt Lake City and needed a place to stay for few days when they moved out of their apartment.

Human guests get a chocolate on their pillow, but pets get biscuits, toys, fresh water, and food.

Peter Bambridge/Salty's Owner: I THINK THAT I WAS SURPRISED THAT THEY PROVIDED THE DOG SO MANY AMENITIES. IT WAS LIKE, WOW, THE DOG IS GETTING ALL THESE TREATS, WHERE'S MY TREATS?

So do pets have accidents, or cause problems in a hotel?

Ric Tanner/Hotel Manaco: MOST OF THE PETS THAT STAY WITH US ARE AS WELL BEHAVED AS THEIR OWNERS.

Oh, and if you left your pet home and you're feeling a little lonely, you can borrow one.

Ric Tanner/Hotel Manaco: WE PROVIDE THE FISH AND THE FOOD AND CHANGE THE WATER AND ALL THE GUEST HAS TO DO IS NAME THEIR FISH DURING THEIR STAY.

Okay, let's say your pet is a parakeet, or an aquarium full of fish-- hard to take along.

That's where Jo Anne Langdon comes in... right in.

She is a pet sitter. And for a fee, she'll come to your home, water the plants, take care of the mail and what ever pets you may have.

Jo Anne Langdon/A Pet's Best Friend: TAKE CARE OF HEDGE HOGS, WE'VE GOT SOME IGUANAS, WHITE RATS, HORSES, CHICKEN, GEESE, AND OF COURSE THE MOST COMMON ARE CATS AND DOGS.

In minutes she's fed the fish, checked on the bird feeder, and scooped up the kitty liter. And with all of that, she manages a dose of affection.

Jo Anne has been a pet sitter for nearly nine years. Her company -- A Pet's Best Friend -- has more than 500 clients in the Sandy- Draper area and she's now expanded to Summit County.

Clients like Frances Frost say they can tell their animals have been well treated while they are gone.

Frances Frost/Pet Owner: THEY SEEM PEACEFUL, THEY ARE HAPPY TO SEE ME BUT THERE IS NO TRAUMA. [edit] SHE LOVES THE LADY THAT COMES AND TAKES CARE OF THEM HERE. AND SOMETIMES I WONDER WHEN I COME BACK IF THEY KNOW I'VE EVEN BEEN GONE. ITS KIND OF LIKE YOUR CHILDREN, I'VE DONE THAT, TOO.

If you want a pet, but don't want a dog or cat, you might consider a bird. They make wonderful pets and don't require much space.

Some of these birds are actually available for adoption through the Wasatch Avian Education Society. It's a bird rescue organization, and right now they have birds that need homes.

If you'd like more information, go to their website at www.wasatchavian.com or email at waes@juno.com.