Choosing a Pet Sitter
Pet sitters do much more than provide your pet with food and water while you're away
from home. A good pet sitter also spends quality time with your pet, gives him exercise,
and knows how to tell if your pet needs veterinary attention. What's more, pet sitters
typically 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 herself a pet sitter doesn't mean she's qualified to do the
job. This information will help you find the best pet sitter for you and your pet.
Why hire a pet sitter?
When you must be away from home—say for travel or an emergency—and don't want to
leave your pet in a boarding kennel, who takes care of your pet? If you're like many pet
owners, you ask a friend or neighbor to stop in and pour some kibble and water in your
pet's bowls. But is this what's best for your pet? There's a good chance that your friends
and neighbors lack proper pet-care experience and have even forgotten to show up.
They may also resent frequent requests to look after your pet while you're gone. So what
is the solution? Consider hiring a "pet sitter"—a professional, qualified individual paid to
care for your pet.
A pet sitter offers both you and your pet many benefits.
Your pet gets:
 | the environment he knows best. | |
| his same diet and routine. | |
| relief from traveling to and staying in an unfamiliar place with other animals (such | |
| as a boarding kennel). | ||
| attention while you're away. |
happier friends and neighbors, who aren't burdened with caring for your pet.
the peace of mind that comes from knowing that your pet is being cared for by a
someone to bring in your newspaper and mail so potential burglars don't know you're
away.
someone who will come to your home so you don't have to drive your pet to a boarding
kennel.
other services provided by most pet sitters, such as plant watering and pet grooming.
Where do I find a pet sitter?
Start with a recommendation from a friend, neighbor, veterinarian, humane society, or
dog trainer. Check the Yellow Pages under "Pet Sitting Services." You can also contact
the National Association of Professional Pet Sitters (800-296-PETS) or Pet Sitters
International (336-983-9222) for a referral. Both organizations offer pet-sitter
accreditation to those who demonstrate professional experience, complete pet-care-
related home study courses, attend professional conferences, and abide by a code of
ethics set by the organizations.
What should I look for?
It's important to learn all you can about prospective pet sitters' qualifications and
services. Before selecting a pet sitter, interview the candidates over the phone or at your
home. Find out the following:
| Can the pet sitter provide written proof that she has commercial liability insurance | |
| (to cover accidents and negligence) and is bonded (to protect against theft by a pet sitter or her employees)? | ||
| What training has the pet sitter received? | |
| Will the pet sitter record notes about your pet, such as his likes, dislikes, fears, | |
| habits, medical conditions, medications, and routines? | ||
| Is the pet sitter associated with a veterinarian who can provide emergency | |
| services? | ||
| What will happen if the pet sitter experiences car trouble or becomes ill? Does she | |
| have a backup? | ||
| Will the pet sitter provide related services such as in-home grooming, dog walking, | |
| dog training, and play time? | ||
| Will the pet sitter provide a written service contract spelling out services and fees? | |
| If the pet sitter provides live-in services, what are the specific times she agrees to | |
| be with your pet? Is this detailed in the contract? | ||
| How does your pet sitter make sure that you have returned home? | |
| Will the pet sitter provide you with the phone numbers of other clients who have | |
| agreed to serve as references? |
Even if you like what you hear from the pet sitter and from her references, it's important
to have the prospective pet sitter come to your home to meet your pet before actually
hiring her for a pet-sitting job. Watch how she interacts with your pet—does your pet
seem comfortable with the person? If this visit goes well, start by hiring the pet sitter to
care for your pet during a short trip, such as a weekend excursion. That way, you can
work out any problems before leaving your beloved pet in the pet sitter's care for longer
periods.
How can I help the pet sitter and my pet?
Of course, even the most trustworthy, experienced pet sitter will have trouble if you
haven't also kept your end of the bargain. Here are your responsibilities:
| Make reservations with your pet sitter early, especially during holidays. | |
| Ensure your pet is well socialized and allows strangers to handle him. | |
| Affix current identification tags to your pet's collar. | |
| Maintain current vaccinations for your pet. | |
| Leave clear instructions detailing specific pet-care responsibilities and emergency | |
| contact information, including how to reach you and your veterinarian. | ||
| Leave pet food and supplies in one place. | |
| Buy extra pet supplies in case you're away longer than planned. | |
| Leave a key with a trustworthy neighbor as a backup, and give him and your pet | |
| sitter each other's phone numbers. Be sure those extra keys work before giving them out. | ||
| Show the pet sitter your home's important safety features such as the circuit | |
| breaker and security system. |
Finally, have a safe and fun trip. And remember to bring your pet sitter's phone number
in case your plans change—or you just want to find out how Fluffy and Fido are doing.
| ALWAYS HOME PET SITTING & DOG WALKING SERVICING MOBILE COUNTY 251-455-5634 |
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Reservations
It is best to plan a couple of weeks in advance
in order to obtain services on the dates you
desire. An in-home interview is required, prior
to reservations, for all new clients. While we can
tentatively pencil in your dates we must meet
you and your pets and access your needs
before we make a commitment to providing your
pets’ care. During this initial meeting we will also
review and complete forms and sign
agreements. These are also available on our
website and you may download them and fill
them out before our initial meeting to save 30
minutes of time. Or you can request a
“Welcome kit” in advance of this meeting.
INITIAL MEETING. Free!
When I visit your home for the first time we will
do a "get to know you" for the pet owners, pets
and me, it is absolutely free! I will need at least
one hour of your undivided attention. You will
have to provide two keys at the time of the
meeting. (Please, make sure all keys work)!
This is for the safety and care of your pets.
Keys: “Always Home Pet Sitting & Dog Walking”
will obtain your house key during the initial visit,
when service is scheduled and agreements are
signed. I cannot pick up keys that are hidden or
left with neighbors, relatives or friends nor can I
leave the keys with friends, relatives or
neighbors. The reason there are two keys are
required so that one can be left in the office for
back up. This is also for the safety and care of
your pets.
If “Always Home Pet Sitting & Dog Walking” will
not retain keys at the end of service the keys
will be returned within seven days of the end of
your service, in person or by certified mail and
you will be billed $18.00 for key pick up and $
18.00 for key drop off. If the key is to be mailed
certified you would incur a charge of $18.00
plus certified mail charge, all due at time of
signing initial agreement. It is recommended
your key remain in your “Always Home Pet
Sitting & Dog Walking” file for convenience in
future use of our service and to enable
telephone reservations, thus avoiding future
key pick up charges.
Reservation Confirmation: Always directly
confirm your reservation with “Always Home Pet
Sitting & Dog Walking.” This ensures that we
won't miss your message and your pet’s care
will continue uninterrupted.
Extended Absence: In the event you have to
be away longer than planned it is mandatory
that we hear from you! We will only accept
extensions of service by direct confirmation.
Your pets’ well being depends on our
communication!
‘Comfort Calls”: You may call “Always Home
Pet Sitting & Dog Walking” between 9 a.m. and
9 p.m. daily to check on your pet during your
absence. Since I’m often out of the office,
please leave a message and your call will be
returned promptly.
“Honey, I’m Home” calls: Please remember to
call when you have returned home safely!
Otherwise, I will need to continue visiting to
assure the safety and well being of your pets.
Additional trips will be added to your bill at the
regular rate. Please call at ANY hour and leave
a voice message that you have returned.
VISITS TO YOUR HOME consists of:
| collection of mail, packages and | |
| newspaper | ||
| food, water, medications if needed |
| potty break or dog walk, includes doggy- | |
| doo clean-up |
| cleaning litter boxes, cages |
| alternating lights, curtains, blinds |
| turn on/off TV and/ or Music |
| watering plants within reason |
| checking skimmer basket | |
| other special requests can be considered | |
