Why should I use a pet sitter?
A familiar environment, diet and exercise routine are essential for your pet's well-being. They are happiest in their own home territory. Eliminating the trauma and minimizing exposure to illness will keep your pets much happier while you are away. Also, you will be able to relax and enjoy your time away knowing your pets are well taken care of and happy in your absence.
Pet sitters can also provide other related services for the security and maintenance of your home. They can give your home a lived-in look by adjusting lighting, shades, radios and collect mail and newspapers. Pet sitters can also water the lawn, water house plants, run errands and other such services to ensure the security and safety of your home and pets.
What quality standards should I look for?
- Pet Sitters should be bonded and insured.
- Pet Sitters should provide references.
- Pet Sitters should visit the each client's home before the first assignment so they may meet the pets and receive detailed instructions about their care.
- Pet Sitters should learn as much as possible about the animals in their care and strive to continually learn new information and skills about pet care.
- Pet Sitters should provide a service contract which specifies services and fees.
- Pet Sitters should have a website to display services, rates, policies and contact information to be available at any time to customers.
- Pet Sitters should provide a feedback form for clients.
- Pet Sitters should take precautions to ensure a client’s absence from their home is not detected through carelessness.
- Pet Sitters should have a veterinarian on call for emergency services and have a contingency plan in case of disasters and emergencies.
- Pet Sitters should call to confirm the client has returned home.
What information should I provide?
- your pet's daily routine
- your pet's health problems and medications
- your vet's contact information (and any other emergency personel, like plumbers, electricians, pool maintainence, etc)
- location of your pet's favorite hiding places
- location of your pet's preferred chew toy
- written verification of animal vaccines
- phone numbers where you will be staying
- changes to your plans, as soon as possible
- any private rooms that are off-limits for people or pets
- locations of cleaning supplies
- location of your fuse box and new fuses
How can I plan ahead?
- Give your pet sitter as much advanced notification as possible.
- Buy extra food and litter to keep on hand in case you are gone longer than planned.
- Make sure your pets' colars fit properly and they all have ID tags.
- Clean up dirty dishes before you leave and remove food from the kitchen which may spoil.
- Leave everything needed for the care of your pet in one, visible area so the sitter doesn't have to search for leashes, food cans and medicine.
- Be sure your pet sitter has the name and phone number of your neighbor or of a good friend who lives within walking distance in case of an emergency or power outage that would keep pet sitter from getting there in a timely manner. That way they can walk over and check on the pets, let them out if need be and make sure they are warm, fed and safe."
- Notify neighbors that a pet sitter will be visiting your house while you are away so they don't worry when a strange person shows up at your house.
- When You Leave:
- Lock outside gates and swimming pool areas.
- Lock doors and windows.
- Unplug computers and appliances.
- Consider leaving a radio on for a crime deterrant and to keep your pet company.
- Ask your pet sitter to alternate blinds and lighting as a crime deterrent.
- Put away items or chemicals harmful to pets.
- Do not hide keys outside.
- Make sure your pets are inside before you leave.
- Adjust the thermostat to keep the house comfortable (heat or air conditioning) for your pets during your absence.