If you’re like most American families anticipating and preparing for the end of the traditional school year, then you’re probably planning a summer vacation. Although there are many places where you can bring the family pet, there are just as many vacation destinations that either aren’t appropriate for pets or just don’t allow animals.
So what do you do when you can’t take Fluffy or Fido with you? Well, you have a few options:
- Ask Grandma to come over to feed Fluffy while you’re gone… and hope she remembers.
- Ask the kid down the street to come over and feed Fido… and hope he doesn’t sabotage your house while you’re away.
- Hire a professional pet sitter.
If you’re anything like me, your instinct is to go with someone you know and trust in your home. You should think again, and consider a professional pet sitter. Use the friend or family member as a backup or a contact person to give to the pet sitter you hire. You’ll feel better (especially if your pet has special needs) and trust me, so will the friend, neighbor, or family member who doesn’t get roped into the responsibility while you’re away.
Pet sitting is no longer just done by the teen down the street, there’s even a National Association of Professional Pet Sitters (NAPPS.) The well-being of your pet while you’re away is serious business, and professional pet sitters take it as such. Still, there are some companies that won’t provide the best service for what you’re looking for. It’s important to lay out everything that you expect, and to hear everything that the service offers. If it’s not the exact fit that you’re looking for, keep looking.
Below are a few criterion to consider and questions to ask before hiring a pet sitting service, courtesy of Berkely East Bay Humane Society:
- Can the sitter provide proof of being bonded?
- Can the sitter provide proof of commercial liability insurance?
- What sort of training has the pet sitter completed?
- Is the sitter associated with any veterinarians who provide emergency services?
- Does the sitter have any back-up plans if he/she becomes ill or has car trouble?
- What other services does the sitter provide (in-home grooming, dog walking, etc.)?
- Does the sitter provide a written estimate or contract describing services and fees?
- How will this sitter check to make sure you have arrived home safely?
- Will the sitter provide referrals from other clients? Will the sitter provide contact information of past clients for you to call?
Maybe you don’t know what to expect from a pet sitter. The most important thing is that they will take good care of your loved one. Duties of a pet sitter usually include feeding the pet, walking it and providing medical care for it; but most importantly, the pet sitter should be a companion while you’re away. Just as we are attached to our pets, our pets are attached to us.
As you prepare your home for a pet sitter, be sure that you have provided him or her with your contact information. Also, be sure that you know how to contact the sitter. Know their emergency plans and their expected schedule. It’s also best to alert your veterinarian that you are going on vacation, leaving your pet in the hands of a sitter, and that they might contact with you with any issues.
Here are some other ways that the NAPPS suggests to get your home ready:
- Leave a piece of clothing that you’ve recently worn near where your pet sleeps (as a reminder of you.)
- Display the name and phone number of your vet in a prominent place. Show it to the pet sitter before leaving.
- Place out appropriate food and water bowls for your pet’s use. Clean them beforehand.
- Put everything needed for your pet’s care in a specific area. This will keep the sitter from having to search through your home.
- Select a neighbor to keep an eye on your place while you’re gone. Let him or her know that a pet sitter will be coming to your home while you’re away, and provide him or her with a key in case of emergency.
- Give the neighbor the pet sitters name and phone number.
On that note, happy hunting!
A great place to begin your search is by asking your friends if they’ve had any pet sitters before. From there, there’s no place like the Web to find what you want. Just be sure to ask questions and don’t skimp out. Choose quality over quantity in this case. Your pet is worth it!
{ 12 comments… read them below or add one }
If I can afford to tag along my pet to travels, I will or else I hire my cousin who’s also into pets to check out my cat.
Very good thought provoking article. Lots of good ideas.
.-= Joe R.´s last blog ..Dog Fleas Don’t Have to be a Problem =-.
great article. I am a pet groomer and also have an older lab that I used to have a neighbor care for and now he has moved. I am glad to see that there are Pet Sitting associations. I will look to see if there is one in my area..Kinda weird just having anyone come into my home while I am away..THanks again
Jason of http://www.Fuzzy-friends.com
Sadly, many people don’t really consider the constraints and responsibilities that a pet brings with it when buying the pet. And consequently, the pet may be neglected. Pet sitters do an important job.
This is a really great article, there are so many pieces to consider when looking for a pet sitter. It’s just as important as finding a babysitter for your children, so take the right steps, research the right channels and make sure you are comfortable with your choice.
If there were money in it I would love to quit my day job and be a pet sitter!
Great post.A pet sitter does more than provide your pets with food and water while you’re away from home. A good pet sitter also spends quality time with your pet, gives him or her exercise, much needed attention, and knows how to tell if your pet needs veterinary attention. What’s more, pet sitters offer additional services, such as bringing in mail and newspapers, watering plants, turning lights on and off, and providing homes with a lived-in look to deter crime. But just because someone calls themselves a pet sitter doesn’t mean they are qualified to do the job. This information will help you find the best pet sitter for you and your pet.
.-= pets´s last blog ..Welcome to Extraordinary Pets! =-.
thanks for sharing your tips. I believe that we should be careful in finding a pet sitter just like how we look for baby sitters for our kids.
There’s a lot that goes into being a Professional Pet Sitter. Craigslist is littered with ads by pet sitters and many are just trying to supplement their income. I think it’s important for pet owners to understand that going with the cheapest price possible is not always a good thing…and actually may be quite negative. This is a great post because it points out the basic core principles when looking for a good provider.
Thanks for this useful information. I hope to read more in future.
What a great post! After having a negative experience with a pet sitting service previously….it is definitely vital to ensure that the sitter is bonded and insured. Also, asking for the sitter to provide updates during your absence is always good. My sitters always send me an update via text or email and it adds to my peace of mind.
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