| If you have pets, you know that leaving them behind | | | | in my opinion. They will have been required to take a |
| while you go on vacation can be stressful. You can | | | | course that usually includes business management, |
| minimize that anxiety by hiring a good pet sitter. This | | | | animal care and animal health instruction. Accredited |
| article has some advice to make the process easier. | | | | pet sitters will therefore likely have more diverse |
| Start by asking your vet if they recommend anyone. | | | | knowledge and experience than someone who has |
| Pet-owning friends may also have names for you. | | | | not been through the course. Once you have found |
| There may be people who do it occasionally, like I | | | | the right sitter for you, be sure to give and get all |
| do, just not as a business. Some pet sitters will | | | | the information you both will need. |
| advertise in the yellow pages or newspapers. Most | | | | You will want to leave phone numbers for where you |
| will leave flyers or business cards with veterinarians. | | | | can be reached, as well as a friend or neighbor who |
| There are professional Pet Sitter organizations that | | | | might be able to answer questions or help out in |
| have websites. Some of them offer a search | | | | emergencies. Provide the sitter with the name, |
| feature, but remember that only their members will | | | | address and phone number of your veterinarian, and |
| be listed. Some smaller towns may not have local | | | | leave a signed letter giving permission for necessary |
| professional pet sitters. | | | | medical procedures to be preformed. Additionally, |
| Keep your expectations realistic. Normally, a pet sitter | | | | make sure you have a way to reach the sitter at all |
| will feed the animals, let them out or walk them, | | | | times, in case something comes up. |
| change litter boxes and do whatever else is needed | | | | Be sure to tell the pet sitter of any special behavioral |
| to care for the animal. They will spend an average of | | | | problems or quirks. If your dog is afraid of people in |
| thirty minutes for each visit. They might even pick up | | | | hats, say, the sitter will not make the mistake of |
| your mail and water your plants. | | | | wearing her rain hat indoors! Point out where all the |
| There is usually an extra charge for additional visits | | | | supplies are; food, dishes, toys, beds, etc. Tell the |
| during the day. Some sitters may be willing to spend | | | | pet sitter your rules on treats, how much you feed, |
| the night - something you may desire if you have | | | | how often and when. If you can put everything the |
| older or sick animals. | | | | pet sitter may need in one central location, so much |
| Make sure the pet sitter will come and meet the | | | | the better. |
| animals before you hire her. It is important that both | | | | If your pet needs to be fed at certain times, or |
| the animal and the sitter be comfortable with each | | | | takes medicine on a schedule, you will want to be |
| other. | | | | sure that the pet sitter can accommodate your |
| Be sure to plan well in advance, as pet sitters are | | | | needs. |
| usually in heavy demand. You should ask for the pet | | | | Be sure your pet sitter is bonded and insured. Don't |
| sitter's fees and policies in writing, so you know | | | | forget, she will have the keys to your home. Also, |
| exactly what to expect. I would suggest getting | | | | make arrangements for payment and the return of |
| references; a trustworthy businessperson will have | | | | your keys. |
| these readily available. | | | | It is a good idea to have a contingency plan in place |
| Ask what other kinds of animal experience the | | | | in the event that your return is delayed. Arrange for |
| person has. Someone with veterinary experience, | | | | the sitter to call, or for you to call her at a specific |
| such as a technician, is a good choice for special | | | | time on the date of your return. |
| needs pets. A dog trainer, or someone who has | | | | The pet sitter should also have a backup plan in case |
| trained a few animals will know how to handle dogs | | | | he or she is unable to attend to your pets for some |
| with behavioral issues. A pet groomer will have | | | | reason. If not, you had better make a backup plan of |
| experience handling both dogs and cats in stressful | | | | your own. |
| situations. | | | | Leaving the pets behind can add unnecessary stress |
| Pet sitters are not required to have any special | | | | to your trip. Knowing that you have hired an |
| licensing, but those who have gone to the trouble of | | | | experienced pet sitter, and that you have provided |
| acquiring accreditation from one of the pet sitter | | | | her with everything she needs to do the job right |
| organizations show a high degree of professionalism | | | | can help ease that stress. |