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