In Greece there are three times of year when Athens empties out almost all at once: Christmas and New Year, Easter, and the days around the 15th of August. The problem isn't only that you're leaving — your brother is leaving too, so is the neighbour who usually helps out, and so are many of the people who look after pets for a living. Whichever option you choose, the order in which you do things matters.
The four options
A friend or relative. The most familiar choice, and often the best if they already know your pet. The risk is that a favour has limits: a morning walk, maybe; three walks a day for a week, not always. If it goes well, great — if not, you usually find out when you're already far away.
A pet hotel or boarding kennel. A structured setting with staff and a schedule. It suits sociable dogs that aren't stressed by other animals. Ask in advance what paperwork they need (usually an up-to-date vaccination record), how many hours your dog spends outside its kennel or room, and what happens if a vet is needed. Over the big holidays they fill up early.
A sitter in your own home. Your pet stays in its own space, with its own smells and routine. For cats this is almost always the best choice — home visits for feeding and care are enough. For dogs it can be walks at set times, or sitting for several hours, a full day or overnight.
A sitter at their place. Your dog spends the days in a home rather than a facility, usually with fewer animals around than at a hotel. It suits dogs that settle easily in new places. If it's the first time, ask the sitter whether they have pets of their own and what the space is like — garden, balcony, stairs.
Dog or cat makes a big difference
Cats are attached to their territory, so moving them for a few days usually stresses them more than your absence does. Stick with home visits.
For dogs, the answer depends on their personality. A dog that greets every new person happily will be fine almost anywhere. A dog that gets anxious when left alone, or barks at every noise in the building, usually does better at home, with someone staying overnight.
If you're taking them with you
Plenty of people take their dog to the island or the village. If you're thinking of a ferry or a flight, the rules for pets differ by company — ask when you book the ticket, not at the port. And in summer, never leave a pet in a parked car, not even for a few minutes.
Book earlier than you think
Over the big holidays, many pet parents are looking for a sitter for exactly the same dates. On Petit-o you can send a public request that reaches sitters near you, see who's interested and message them before you decide. But availability depends on how many sitters are near you on those days, so a request sent three weeks ahead has far more options than one sent the day before.
If it's your first time with someone new, a small trial before the big trip — a walk or a visit — shows you how the sitter and your pet get along while you're still in town.
For costs, see how much dog walking and pet sitting cost in Athens. And before you go, run through the checklist of what to leave your sitter.