This is going to sound crazy. DH and I are planning 2 weeks home to see family at the end of May. At the moment, airfare is approximately $350 round trip each. We'd be spending $600 to board Dot and at least $100 to have the neighbors cat-sit 2x per day. Plus around $160 in parking fees at the airport.
So, not counting airfare, we're looking at around $850+ for pet care and airport parking. There's no one around here we trust to house-sit 100%, although I suppose the neighbor (she's 16) probably could ... but we don't really know her at all, just her mom. Local pet/house sitting agencies would cost about $750, so there's no savings at ALL there.
I'm thinking it would cost less if I flew someone I knew and trust out and just lent them our car while we were gone, plus all the food they could eat. This is, of course, providing I can find someone I trust who's not busy/working/etc.
DH thinks I'm crazy to even suggest flying out a pet/house sitter. I think it could work. What say you, pesties?

Re: WWYD?
My parents are flying out to take care of Pel while DH & I go on vacation in July. So, not crazy.
They're thinking of moving here and wanted to try it out, and I'm not turning down free pet sitters.
This is kinda what I'm hoping to sell it as ... I mean, we're like an hour from Lake Tahoe. Who wouldn't want a beautiful mountain vacation on someone else's dime? (LOL - the mountain part is a stretch for our house, but we do have a lovely view.)
B/w 1/8: betas 17,345, progesterone 25.6
Agreed.
I don't know what we'd do if we didn't have our neighbors.
5 cats. 1 baby.