Finding the Perfect Pet Sitter
Most pet parents would not dream of taking a vacation without their pets. But, it is not always practical or possible to bring our pets with us. In order to have an enjoyable vacation we want to be sure our pets are happy, healthy and safe while we are away.
Animals are creatures of habit, and our pet companions fare best when adhering to their regular daily routines regarding diet, exercise and sleep. An experienced and reliable pet sitter can keep your pets happy and healthy while you are away.
Pet sitters do much more than provide a pet with food and water while their guardian is away from home. A good pet sitter also spends quality time with the animal, gives them exercise and knows how to tell if they need veterinary attention. What’s more, pet sitters typically offer additional services, such as taking in mail and newspapers and watering plants.
Why hire a pet sitter?
When you must be away from home, perhaps for travel or an emergency, and don’t want to leave your pet in a boarding kennel, who takes care of your pet?
A pet sitter is a professional, qualified individual paid to care for your pet. He or she offers both you and your pet many benefits.
Your pet gets:
· The environment they know best. Pets may become stressed by being in a strange place.
· Their regular diet and routine.
· Relief from traveling to and staying in an unfamiliar place with other animals (such as a boarding kennel).
· Your pet is not exposed to any potential health issues as might happen when boarding in a kennel (such as flea infestation, kennel cough, parvovirus)
· Pets are assured attention while you’re away.
You get:
· Happier friends and neighbors, who aren’t burdened with caring for your pet.
· The peace of mind that comes from knowing that your pet is being cared for by a professional.
· Someone to bring in your newspaper and mail so potential burglars don’t know you’re away.
· Someone who will come to your home so you don’t have to drive your pet to a boarding kennel.
· Other services provided by most pet sitters, such as plant watering and pet grooming.
Here are some tips to find the perfect pet sitter:
First, make a list of everything you need in a sitter and a list of the needs of your pet. Will the pet sitter simply need to exercise, feed, provide fresh water and play with your pet or are there other duties that will be desired? Does your pet require any medications? Do you have plants that need to be watered, mail and newspapers to be taken in and other household duties that need to be discussed?
Find pet sitters
Referrals are a good place to start looking for pet sitters. Start with a recommendation from a friend, neighbor, co-worker, veterinarian, or humane society.
Next, check out pet-sitting associations. For example:
· Pet Sitters International: Use their Pet Sitter Locator tool to find professional sitters in your area. It lets you filter your results by services offered (overnight sitting, grooming, house sitting) as well as insured, first-aid-certified sitters.
· National Association of Professional Pet Sitters: You can look up pet sitters by ZIP code through their website. Listings with a NAPPS-certified logo have passed a certification test on basic pet handling, professionalism, and first aid.
You can also find pet sitters through specialty service sites like:
· Care.com
WHAT SHOULD I LOOK FOR?
It’s important to learn all you can about prospective pet sitters’ qualifications and services. Before selecting a pet sitter, interview the candidates over the phone or at your home. Find out the following:
· Can the pet sitter provide written proof that she has commercial liability insurance (to cover accidents and negligence) and is bonded (to protect against theft by a pet sitter or her employees)?
· What training has the pet sitter received?
· Will the pet sitter record notes about your pet, such as his likes, dislikes, fears, habits, medical conditions, medications, and routines?
· Is the pet sitter associated with a veterinarian who can provide emergency services?
· What will happen if the pet sitter experiences car trouble or becomes ill? Does she have a backup?
· Will the pet sitter provide related services such as in-home grooming, dog walking, dog training, and play time?
· Will the pet sitter provide a written service contract spelling out services and fees?
· If the pet sitter provides live-in services, what are the specific times she agrees to be with your pet? Is this detailed in the contract?
· How does your pet sitter make sure that you have returned home?
· Will the pet sitter provide you with the phone numbers of other clients who have agreed to serve as references?
It might be helpful to ask these questions in your interview with the prospective pet sitter:
· What type of pets do you usually sit for? Obviously, someone with experience will put you more at ease, but it is a good idea to look for a sitter who has worked with your type of pet before. For example, if you have a large pit bull with a habit of breaking out of her leash, it would be a good idea to choose a pet sitter who is familiar with the breed and knows the importance of watching your dog at all times on their walks.
· What training have you completed? Basic training courses, behavior modification courses, and pet first aid all indicate a knowledgeable pet sitter.
· What services do you provide? Don’t assume all pet sitters are willing to stay overnight, take your dog to the dog park, or pick up your mail. Ask for a list of possible services.
· Are you associated with an emergency veterinarian? Make sure your pet sitter will know who to call if your pet becomes ill or injured.
· Can you provide references? Ask for a list of references and then contact them.
Even if you like what you hear from the pet sitter and from her references, it’s important to have the prospective pet sitter come to your home to meet your pet before actually hiring her for a pet-sitting job. Watch how she interacts with your pet—does your pet seem comfortable with the person? If this visit goes well, you may want to start by hiring the pet sitter to care for your pet during a short trip, such as a weekend excursion. That way, you can work out any problems before leaving your beloved pet in the pet sitter’s care for longer periods.
Compare prices
Pet sitters determine their own prices, so you’ll find great and bad deals.
Typical costs:
· Pet sitting costs $10-$65 per day, depending on the location, length of the visit and number of sitter’s duties.
· Most 20-30 minutes visits cost about $10-$20 for one or two pets. Extra tasks such as giving medication or nail clipping may have an extra charge running from $5 to $10.
· A 60-minute visit typically costs $25-$35. Again, this offers more attention and exertion for the pet or pets.
· An overnight stay ranges from $45- $80, with an average of $60. This option is available for those not wanting their pet to be alone overnight
Prices remain the same for most pets, although some sitters charge less for small rodents like gerbils and hamsters.
*Boarding your pet in a kennel usually costs less than hiring a pet sitter. The boarding process creates efficiencies in lower pricing because multiple pets can be cared for at once. However, boarding is not as comfortable for pets as hiring a pet sitter. Many pets suffer from stress and anxiety when they are removed from their homes. Staying at home is more comfortable for most pets, particularly those that aren’t very social. Additionally, pets get less personal attention in a boarding kennel. A pet sitter provides a lot of one-on-one attention and interaction.
Get a Contract
Finally, ask for a written contract between you and the sitter. It should include:
· A full list of services the pet sitter will provide: Dog walking, feeding, overnight stays, and household chores like picking up the mail and watering plants.
· The cost of pet sitting broken down per day and per visit, plus any extra charges. For example, if the pet sitter charges $5 extra for holidays, make sure it is in the contract.
· Number of visits: Include the number of days you’ll need the sitter, plus the number of visits the sitter will make per day.
Your Responsibilities – Helping the Pet Sitter and Your Pet
Of course, even the most trustworthy, experienced pet sitter will have trouble if you haven’t also kept your end of the bargain. Here are your responsibilities:
· Make reservations with your pet sitter early, especially during holidays.
· Ensure your pet is well socialized and allows strangers to handle them.
· Affix current identification tags to your pet’s collar.
· Maintain current vaccinations for your pet.
· Leave clear instructions detailing specific pet-care responsibilities and emergency contact information, including how to reach you and your veterinarian.
· Leave pet food and supplies in one place.
· Buy extra pet supplies in case you’re away longer than planned.
· Leave a key with a trustworthy neighbor as a backup, and give them and your pet sitter each other’s phone numbers. Be sure those extra keys work before giving them out.
· Show the pet sitter your home’s important safety features such as the circuit breaker and security system.
· Make certain the sitter is able to handle an emergency and is aware of the phone number and location of the nearest veterinary hospital as well as the number to your vet’s office.
Finally, have a safe and fun trip. And remember to bring your pet sitter’s phone number with you in case your plans change—or you just want to find out how your fur babies are doing.
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