We have 3 cats, 3 parrots, and various foster pups/cats here throughout the year.  The cats don't really care if we go away, but the birds are another story.

After 3 years, we *just* took our first week-long vacation in April.  We didn't want to board the birds because we were afraid it would stress them out, not to mention the risk of them catching something while at the vets.  We wound up getting a 4-person team that worked out a system so the birds received fresh food and water each morning and evening and a few hours of time out of their cages.  We are very lucky to have great neighbors and friends who were willing to do that for us.

P.S. The cats didn't even notice we weren't home.  They just wanted their bowls filled up.