Pet owners must find someone to care for their animals when they will be away from home for more than a few hours or days. Family members and neighbors may take on this role, or the owner might speak to their vet or a kennel to see if they can care for the animals.
However, dog owners often choose another option when looking for pet care near you. They look for a professional pet sitter. What should they know when choosing this sitter?
What To Look For When Choosing a Pet Sitter
Owners need to find a sitter trained in pet first aid and CPR so they are prepared if something goes wrong while caring for the pet. The sitter should have a business license and insurance and be able to provide references. Ask to see their contract and review the document carefully before agreeing to use them. Further, meet with this individual and see how they interact with the pets. Steps such as these will give the pet owner peace of mind. They know their companions will be cared for.
When talking with a potential pet sitter, ask about their experience. If the animal has any special needs, share these with them. The sitter needs to feel comfortable caring for the pet, so anything that may require particular tasks on their part must be shared with them. The sitter can choose whether or not to accept the job. Nobody wants to be away from their pet only to learn that the sitter quit because they didn’t have all the information they needed before taking the job.
Finding This Individual
When searching for a pet sitter, owners should ask family and neighbors for recommendations. They may also ask their vet or other professional who regularly interacts with the animal. If they don’t have recommendations, they should contact a pet sitter organization, such as the National Association of Professional Pet Sitters. They maintain a database of professional pet sitters in the owner’s area. Today, a person might wish to visit a dog park or other location where animals gather and talk to pet owners to learn who they use. People love to share the name of a good pet sitter.
Before scheduling interviews with potential pet sitters, talk with them over the phone or online. Learn which types of animals they care for regularly, as some people only watch cats, while others will take care of any domestic animal commonly found in America, including snakes and ferrets. If the sitter watches dogs, ask if there are size or breed restrictions.
The goal is to obtain maximum information before meeting in person. If it doesn’t appear to be a good fit, the owner might want to skip the interview process and move to the next candidate. When a pet sitter doesn’t ask to meet the animals before watching them, look for a different person to take on this role. The owner needs to know their animals are comfortable with the sitter. Otherwise, they will worry about their pets the entire time they are away.
Finding a pet sitter doesn’t need to be complicated. However, an owner should also have a backup plan in place. Things happen, and the sitter may not be available at the last minute. Having someone who can watch the pets until the owner returns or the regular pet sitter can resume their duties allows the owner to relax, knowing their companion is receiving love and care.
