Here's a crazy idea, but what if you hired a neighbor kid, a little 10 year old boy maybe, for say, $25, to come over each day you're gone and feed the critters? When I was a kid I made money that way all the time watching all sorts of animals or at least feeding them.

If you make very detailed, clear instructions and pick a tough, hardy little kid, I think everybody wins. You will get a carefree vacation, your pets will get good earnest care from a good local kid, and that kid will make more money than he could any other way, plus get to check out and interact with all your critters.

Just depends if you have a trustworthy neighbor kid who can handle it physically and mentally. If not, what about a cousin, neice or nephew?

Child labor is cheap labor and kids love animals, it's win/win!