Hiring a Good Pet Sitter
We are at the end of October, so I thought this would be a good time to start thinking about the upcoming holidays.
Many people travel for the holidays and some people are not able take their pets.
Pets are important to us.
We want them to be in safe hands when we travel and can’t take them with us.
I was extremely fortunate to have one of the veterinary technicians, Ginger, from my vet’s office, take care of my three, older cats when I traveled.
She came three times a day to check on my cats and feed them.
She knew what to do in case of emergency.
She knew how to give meds.
She would send me updated pictures of my three cats daily, so I never had to worry how they were doing.
It was the perfect setup.
My professional background was in Human Resources.
Managers, along with the Human Resources Department, used Interviews as a tool to find out if an individual was a good fit for our vacancies.
And we always checked references.
This same diligence should be used when hiring a pet sitter.
The definition of pet sitting is “the act of caring for a pet in its own home while the owner is away.”
The perfect pet sitter is very useful, important, and valuable.
Our pets show us unconditional love and are always there when we need them.
Therefore, why would we leave our “best friend” with just anyone?
Oddly enough, some people have no special kinship or liking for animals, yet they call themselves pet sitters.
They might mistreat your pet or not show up at all when things get rough.
I was given that information from a professional pet sitter who frequents my neighborhood.
A good pet sitter will try to give the same love and companionship you do to your pet.
Interviewing a pet sitter may seem like over-kill, but it’s not.
Professional pet sitters are more than just pet lovers; they possess a wide range of skill sets.
A professional sitter can be a resource to you and your pet, as well as provide knowledge to help better care for your pet.
It always helps to know the right questions to ask when you are looking for a pet sitter (or an employee).
Start this process early, not a day or two before you leave.
Start slowly.
When you’re ready to interview a pet sitter, the following questions can get you started.
• Ask the pet sitter if they are insured and bonded for proper protection. Make sure they have this protection and provide you with proof of insurance. There is some risk to pet sitting. A sitter may not take their job seriously if they have no insurance.
• Ask for multiple references. The pet sitter should not hesitate to provide them. And be sure you call the references! You might check their social media and any other reviews online. You can also ask permission to run a background check. If your research finds that the pet sitter is unreachable or doesn’t show, you should continue your search.
• Ask what training or animal experience they have. How long have they been in the pet sitting business? Can they read a pet’s body language? Do they know the signs of an emergency? Pet sitters should be able to provide you with an emergency plan when asked what they would do if your pet got into trouble. You should also have emergency numbers for them.
• You might ask what services will be provided. The pet sitter should give you an agreement that describes services and fees, e.g., grooming, playtime, dog walking. You might want to ask for more details on dog walking. Approximately how long will the walk last? Leashes, harnesses, and collars should also be discussed.
• If you have a pet with special needs, ask the sitter if they can meet these needs. Let the sitter know up front what the pet’s unique needs are.
• Ask if they use contracts, and if so, you would like to see it. If a pet sitter doesn’t use contracts, they may not be a professional.
• Ask if the sitter belongs to any pet sitter associations, e.g., Pet Sitters International (PSI) or the National Association of Professional Pet Sitters (NAPPS). If they do, this indicates their commitment to continued pet care education and professional services. Ask if they have taken and passed the Certified Professional Pet Sitter Exam (CPPS). This exam is designed to assess the knowledge and skills required to be a professional pet sitter.
• Check and see if they have a working relationship with dog trainers or a veterinarian. If so, you might want to check these professionals out to see if you approve in case their services are needed.
• Ask what types of animals the pet sitter has worked with before. You might want to know if the tiny person you’re interviewing can handle your Great Dane.
• Ask the pet sitter how they would manage a situation where the pet behaves aggressively or snaps at them. If this is the pet’s typical behavior, the pet sitter might not want the job and it may be a deal breaker for the sitter. The sitter has the right to know.
• Make sure you know what specific duties the pet sitter will fulfill and how much it will cost.
Interview questions can only tell you so much about a person.
Your pet can help you out on this one, and they can be the best judge of the pet sitter’s character and temperament.
One of the biggest tests as to whether you have a great pet sitter is through a “meet and greet” with the sitter and your pet in advance of your absence.
If the sitter doesn’t agree to a meet and greet, they may not the sitter for you.
Look for another candidate.
If they do agree, watch the sitter’s behavior at the meet and greet.
Also observe your pet’s reaction.
Animals can frequently sense things humans don’t.
If it’s love at first sight (or meeting), you are on the right track.
The professional pet sitter’s goal is to develop a strong relationship with your pet.
The pet may be unsure of what is happening during the first visits with the sitter.
Try leaving your pet with the pet sitter for a brief errand.
You can also ask the pet sitter to walk your dog while you’re at work.
You can move on to a longer pet sitting adventures if all goes well.
I had my pet sitter come feed my cats, clean the litterbox, and sit for a while with the cats before I ever went on a trip.
I paid her (of course) for this, but my goal was to get the cats used to a stranger coming to the house to feed them.
I visited my mom two days of each month for four years and never worried about my cats for one minute because I did my homework and knew they were in good hands.
Another option for pet sitting is an overnight, 12-hour stay.
Many pet sitters bring their own food, drink, and linens.
If you use this option, it is best to provide the pet sitter with more information about your pet’s overnight habits.
Most overnight stays are used for dogs.
I haven’t tried it yet, but my current cat would probably appreciate human companionship.
I adopted my shelter cat, Jasmine, during the 2020 pandemic and we have been constant companions ever since.
Jasmine is used to, and enjoys, company in the evenings.
I think overnights would be a good fit for her.
Some pets need to be monitored more closely due to health issues.
Some pets are young and high-spirited and need more exercise.
An overnight sitter would be appropriate for both.
The bottom line is this: professional pet sitters will provide you with more peace of mind while you’re gone.
I could rest easy and enjoy trips to see my mom because I had an experienced, trained, and responsible person making sure my pets were getting the best care possible while I was away.
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